So, you have heard your friends talking about being your “Mercury” or how they got demoted to “Neptune,” and you are left wondering what in the world they are talking about. It sounds like complex science, but it is actually a fun little feature hidden inside Snapchat.
Welcome to the world of the solar system planets’ Snapchat feature. If you are new to this, it can feel a bit confusing. Is it an astronomy lesson? A new game? Neither! It is simply a creative way for Snapchat to show who you talk to the most.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know. We will look at the Snapchat solar system meaning, break down the order of the planets, and show you how to check your own spot in your friends’ universes. No technical knowledge is needed—just your curiosity.
To put it simply, imagine you are the Sun. You are the center of your own little universe. The people you are friends with on Snapchat are the planets orbiting around you.
This feature, officially called the “Friend Solar System,” is a perk for people who pay for Snapchat+, which is the premium version of the app. It turns your list of best friends into a visual map. The closer a planet is to you (the Sun), the closer that friend is to you on the app. If someone is your “Mercury,” you are snapping and chatting with them more than almost anyone else.
The best part? This entire system is private. Your friends cannot open the app and see a map of your solar system. They can only see their own.
Before you go looking for planets, you need to check if you have the right access. The solar system planets’ Snapchat display is not available to everyone. You need an active Snapchat+ subscription.
Snapchat+ usually costs a few dollars a month (prices vary by country). It gives you access to exclusive features, and the Friend Solar System is one of the most popular. Once you subscribe, you have to turn the feature on manually. You can do this by tapping on your profile icon, going to the Snapchat+ settings, and flipping the toggle for “Solar System to on.
Now, let’s get to the fun part: the planet order. Since you are the Sun, the planets represent your top 8 friends. The Snapchat solar system order follows the real-life order of our solar system, starting with the planet closest to the Sun.
Here is what each planet means for your friendship:
1. Mercury (Your #1 Best Friend)
This is the top spot. Mercury is the planet closest to the Sun, so this person is your absolute best friend on Snapchat. You send the most snaps, have the longest streaks, and chat constantly. In the visual, it usually looks like a reddish planet with hearts around it.
2. Venus (Your #2 Best Friend)
Venus is the second closest. This friend is almost as active with you as your number one. You have a very strong connection and interact daily.
3. Earth (Your #3 Best Friend)
Earth is your third-closest friend. This one is easy to spot because the little planet actually looks like Earth, with blue and green colors and sometimes a tiny moon orbiting it.
4. Mars (Your #4 Best Friend)
Mars is known as the red planet, and in your Snapchat system, it is your fourth-closest friend. You still interact a lot, but maybe not as intensely as the top three.
5. Jupiter (Your #5 Best Friend)
Jupiter is a larger planet, usually shown with orange swirls. This friend is solidly in your top five. You maintain a good friendship, but you aren’t in constant contact.
6. Saturn (Your #6 Best Friend)
Saturn is very easy to recognize because of the bright ring that circles it. This is your sixth-best friend. You still matter to each other, but the interaction is more casual.
7. Uranus (Your #7 Best Friend)
Uranus is usually depicted as a green or teal planet. By the time you get to the seventh spot, the hearts and intense visuals start to fade. This is a friend you keep in touch with, but you aren’t at the top of each other’s lists.
8. Neptune (Your #8 Best Friend)
Neptune is the farthest planet from the Sun. In your Snapchat solar system, this person rounds out your top eight. They are still considered a best friend, but your interaction is the lightest compared to the others.
Curiosity is natural. You might not care who your Mercury is, but you definitely want to know if you are someone else’s Mercury. So, how do you check your position in a friend’s solar system?
It is easy to do, but remember, you both need to have Snapchat+ for this to work properly.
Open Snapchat and go to your friend’s profile page.
Look for a badge under their name that says “Best Friends” or “Friends.” It will have a shiny gold border.
Tap on that badge.
A little animation will pop up showing you their solar system. You will see yourself as a planet orbiting its Sun. If it says you are Mars, that means you are their fourth-best friend. If it says you are Mercury, congratulations—you are their number one.
When you tap that badge, you might notice it says either “Best Friends” or just “Friends.” This is an important detail in the Snapchat solar system’s meaning.
Best Friends Badge: This means the feeling is mutual. You are in their top eight, and they are in your top eight. You are true Snapchat besties.
Friends Badge: This means you are in their top eight, but they are not in yours. It is a one-way street. You think of them as a best friend, but you don’t make the cut.
Yes, it changes all the time. Your solar system is not set in stone. It updates based on your recent activity.
If you start snapping a lot with your Neptune friend, they might move up to Jupiter. If you forget to reply to your Mercury for a week, it might drift out to Saturn. The system runs purely on how often you exchange snaps, chats, and even view each other’s stories. It is a fun way to see your friendship dynamics shift in real time.
If you have subscribed to Snapchat+ but still don’t see any planets, try these quick fixes:
Update the App: Make sure you are running the latest version of Snapchat. Old versions sometimes don’t support new features.
Check the Settings: Go back to your Snapchat+ settings and make sure the “Friend Solar System” toggle is still switched on.
Check Your Friends: You will only see planets for people you interact with frequently. If you barely talk to someone, they won’t appear in your solar system at all.
The solar system planets Snapchat feature is a lighthearted way to visualize your digital friendships. It takes the simple idea of a “best friends list” and turns it into something much more engaging. While it is fun to aim for that Mercury spot, try not to take it too seriously. Life gets busy, and an algorithm can’t measure true friendship. But it is certainly fun to check.
So, go ahead and explore your own personal universe. See who your Mercury is and maybe send them a snap to say thanks for being a great friend.
1. What does the Snapchat solar system mean?
It is a visual feature for Snapchat+ users. You are the Sun, and your top eight friends are represented as planets. The closer the planet is to you, the more you interact with that friend.
2. What is the correct Snapchat solar system order?
The order, from closest to farthest, is: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.
3. Can my friends see my Snapchat solar system?
No. Your solar system is completely private. Only you can see which planets your friends are on. However, if you are in their top eight, they can see which planet you are in their system.
4. Do I have to pay for the Snapchat planet feature?
Yes. The Friend Solar System is exclusive to Snapchat+, which is a paid monthly subscription.
5. Why did my planet ranking change?
The rankings update automatically based on your interaction. If you snap and chat with someone more often, they will move closer to the Sun (you). If you interact less, they will move farther away.
