In June 2017, Snapchat introduced a new feature that allowed its users to feel more connected than ever, the Snap Map.
As the name suggests, this feature allows Snapchat users to share their exact location on the map with their friends.
If you’re wondering whether Snapchat Location turns off after inactivity, this guide will help you stay informed about how the feature works and how to control it through settings. Let’s dive right in!
How Does Snap Map Work?
Snap Map is quite a simple technology. The app uses technologies and services built into smartphones to locate the device and display that location on the app’s map regularly using your Bitmoji.
However, to protect users’ privacy, your location is only visible to those who are your friends on the app.
Additionally, although displaying your location is turned off and available only for friends by default, you can enable and disable this feature as you wish from your app’s settings, but more about that later.
Keep in mind that the app is designed so that it only gets its location only when the app is open. This means that even if the app is running in the background, your location will not update until you open the app.
In other words, if you don’t open the app or leave the phone active, the Snapchat location feature will eventually turn off.
How Long Does Your Location on Snap Map Stay After Inactivity?
According to Snapchat, your location on Snap Map will remain visible for up to 24 hours after your last activity on the app.
However, one thing you should know here is that Snapchat servers are not super accurate when it comes to time documentation.
For example, despite the official site claims, I noticed that it only takes 8 hours of inactivity for your Bitmoji to disappear from the map.
You can also hide your location immediately if you go into ghost mode. In that case, your Bitmoji won’t appear on the Snap Map even when you’re active on the app.
Does Snapchat Location Update in Real Time?
Contrary to what many people think, Snap Map doesn’t update its locations in real time like most other apps.
Instead, the app updates your location every time you open the app, so it doesn’t update at specific intervals.
In other words, if you keep the app open, your location will stay in the same spot until you return to the app. This will prompt the app to check your location and update it.
Since the location service doesn’t work in the background, you must also open your Snapchat app at least once within that 8 hour window to prevent your Bitmoji from disappearing from the Snap Map.
Does Snapchat Location Turn Off on Its Own?
Snapchat location feature can only be changed from the app’s settings, so it won’t turn off on its own.
However, there are many factors that will cause your location to disappear from the Snap Map, but they’re all scenarios that revolve around not using the app for longer than 8 hours, such as deleting the app, leaving the phone locked for over 8 hours or the phone battery dies.
Will Snapchat Location Disappear After Removing the App?
The short and direct answer to this question is no. Unfortunately, even if you deleted your Snapchat app, your last location might still be displayed on the app for 8 hours before it disappears.
This is because your Bitmoji location on the Snap Map is associated with your Snapchat account and not the app itself.
For that reason, if you want to make your Snapchat location disappear instantly, you should either get into Ghost Mode or delete your account before removing the app.
Does Snapchat Location Stay on When the Battery Dies?
Although Snapchat needs your phone to get your location information, it can display your location for up to 8 hours if it doesn’t receive an updated location.
As previously established, even if you delete your app during that time, your location might still show, so it’s no surprise your location will stay up for 8 hours if your battery dies or you lose your internet connection.
How to Hide Your Snapchat Location (Temporarily and Permanently)
If you want to temporarily hide your location with immediate effect, you should activate the Ghost Mode. Here’s how to do it:
- Open the Snapchat app.
- Tap the profile/settings menu at the top of the app’s camera screen.
- Scroll down to the Snap Map, and tap it.
- Toggle the Ghost Mode to activate.
- Choose the duration you want to stay hidden, and confirm your choice.
Alternatively, if you want to disable the Snapchat Location permanently, you should choose the “Until Turned Off” option when prompted to choose the duration of the Ghost Mode.
Keep in mind that as long as you activate the Ghost mode and manually hide your Snapchat location, you won’t be able to access the locations of your Snapchat friends as well.
How to Control Who Sees Your Location on Snapchat
If you want to keep your Snapchat location turned on but want to limit who can see, you can follow the previous guide to reach the Snap Map location settings.
However, instead of toggling the Ghost Mode, the below options can help you control who see your location:
- My Friends: This is the default choice, allowing all your friends to see your location
- My Friends, Except: This one allows you to prevent certain friends from knowing your location.
- Only These Friends: This one will hide your location from all your friends, except those who you pick for them (The recommended option if you want to make the most of the feature while staying safe)
Final Thoughts
Although the Snapchat Location is an interesting feature that keeps you connected with your friends, it can be quite a safety compromise, especially if you have plenty of friends that you don’t personally know on Snapchat.
For example, people with malicious intent could use your snapchat location to know where you are and use the information to their advantage.
As a result, you should either hide your snapchat location completely or limit your visibility to your family and close friends only, so follow the steps on this guide to stay safe out there!
