Hey there! I’m Martin. If you’re anything like me, you probably spend more time on Snapchat than you’d care to admit to your screen-time tracker. A few months back, I was staring at a friend’s profile and saw this glowing gold ring. I felt like I’d missed a secret meeting. What is that? Why don’t I have it?
That curiosity led me down the rabbit hole of Snapchat Plus. It turns out, there’s a whole hidden layer to the app that changes how you interact with your “inner circle.” Whether you’re trying to figure out why you’re suddenly “Uranus” in your bestie’s orbit or you’re wondering if the subscription fee is actually worth your coffee money, I’ve got you covered. Grab a drink, and let’s dive into the ultimate Snapchat Plus FAQ for 2026.
My Personal Experience with Snapchat Plus
I’ll be honest: I originally signed up for Snapchat Plus just because I wanted to see who was rewatching my Stories (yes, I’m that person). But about three weeks into my subscription, I had a “realization moment.”
I was looking at my “Solar System” and noticed my brother—who I talk to every single day—was only Mars (the 4th planet), while a guy I haven’t seen since high school was Mercury (#1). It hit me: I was sending that old friend random memes and “Shitposts” ten times a day, but my brother and I were having longer, more meaningful conversations that didn’t involve as many actual “Snaps.”
That’s when I learned how the algorithm really works. It’s not about how much you love someone; it’s about the raw volume of back-and-forth Snaps. I actually used that insight to “clean up” my habits. I started Snapping the people who actually mattered more often, just to see them move closer to my “Sun.” It sounds nerdy, but it turned the app into a mini-game of friendship maintenance. Now, I can’t imagine using the “vanilla” version of the app.
Read More: Who Can See My Snapchat Planets? (2026 Visibility Guide)
What Exactly is Snapchat Plus in 2026?
Snapchat Plus is the premium subscription tier for the app. Think of it as the “VIP Pass.” For about $3.99 a month (though prices vary by region and current promos), you get a suite of experimental and exclusive features that regular users just can’t touch.
In 2026, Snap has leaned heavily into two things: Personalization and AI. It’s no longer just about seeing who rewatched your story; it’s about custom-generating your own UI and using AI to extend your photos.
Key Features You’ll Actually Use:
- Friend Solar System: A visual ranking of your top 8 friends.
- Story Rewatch Indicator: See how many people (and specifically who) are viewing your stories more than once.
- AI Creative Tools: Use “My AI” to generate captions, edit backgrounds, or even “extend” the edges of a photo you took too close.
- Custom App Icons & Themes: Because the standard yellow icon gets boring after a decade.
- Pin #1 BFF: You can pin one person to the top of your chat list, regardless of what the algorithm says.
The Planets Guide: Decoding the Solar System
This is the #1 thing people ask me about. If you see a “Best Friends” badge on someone’s profile, it means you’re in their top 8. But which planet are you? The planets guide is based on the real order of our solar system.
The Snap Planet Rankings:
- Mercury: You are their #1 closest friend (most Snaps exchanged).
- Venus: You are their 2nd closest friend.
- Earth: 3rd closest (the one with the cute little Moon!).
- Mars: 4th closest.
- Jupiter: 5th closest.
- Saturn: 6th closest.
- Uranus: 7th closest.
- Neptune: 8th closest friend.
Pro Tip: Don’t take it personally if you’re Neptune! It just means you haven’t been spamming each other with Snaps lately. Have you ever felt a little “planet envy” when you saw your rank? It’s totally normal.
Subscription Questions: Is It Worth It?
When friends ask me about subscription questions, they usually want to know if it feels like a “pay-to-win” situation. It’s not. It doesn’t give you more “clout,” but it does make the app much more functional.
| Feature | Free Version | Snapchat Plus |
| BFF Pinning | No | Yes (1 Person) |
| Story Rewatches | Total Views Only | See Who Rewatched |
| App Customization | Limited | 30+ Icons & Themes |
| AI Editing | Basic | Advanced Generative Tools |
| Snapstreak Restore | Must Pay per Restore | 1 Free Restore per Month |
Troubleshooting Solar System & Common Issues
Sometimes things go sideways. If you’re troubleshooting solar system glitches, here is my “Martin-approved” checklist.
Why can’t I see the planets?
- Feature Disabled: Believe it or not, Snap turned this off by default recently to help with “digital wellbeing.” You have to go into your Snapchat Plus settings and manually toggle Solar System to “On.”
- Mutual Friends: You will only see a “Best Friends” badge if both of you are in each other’s top 8. If you only see “Friends,” it means you’re in their top 8, but they aren’t in yours (or vice versa).
- App Cache: Honestly, Snapchat is a resource hog. If your planets aren’t updating, go to Settings > Account Actions > Clear Cache. It fixes 90% of my problems.
Snapchat Plus FAQ: Your Top Questions Answered
1. Can people see if I have Snapchat Plus?
Only if you want them to! You get an exclusive black star badge next to your name, but you can hide it in the settings if you want to keep your “Plus” status on the down-low.
2. Does Snapchat Plus remove ads?
In 2026, the standard Plus plan still shows ads between stories. However, there is now a “Platinum” tier that offers an ad-free experience. Check your specific plan details in the app!
3. Can I see who rewatched my Story more than once?
You can see that someone rewatched it, but you can’t see exactly how many times. If you see the “Eyes” emoji next to a name, they’ve viewed it at least twice.
4. How often does the Solar System update?
It updates daily, but it’s based on a “rolling” window of activity. If you stop Snapping someone today, they won’t drop from Mercury to Neptune overnight, but you’ll see them slide down over a few days.
Conclusion: Martin’s Final Tip
Look, Snapchat Plus isn’t a “necessity” for everyone. If you just use the app to send one photo of your dog to your mom once a week, save your money. But if you’re a power user who loves data, customization, and knowing exactly where you stand in your social circle, it’s a total blast.
Martin’s Final Tip: If you’re on the fence, keep an eye out for the 7-day free trial. I usually tell people to start the trial on a busy week (like a holiday or a vacation) so you can really test out the Story Rewatch and AI features when you have lots of content to post!
Would you like me to walk you through how to set up the new AI-generated chat wallpapers step-by-step?
