What Does ‘Pending’ Mean on Snapchat? (And How to Fix it)

Written By Alex Blackburne

Latest in Tech News, Reviews & Education

You’re used to instant delivery of Snaps. However, you notice a sudden change of the status stating “Pending” in your conversation history. We know you’re confused, as we were too the first time we encountered it. So let’s find out what Pending means on Snapchat.

If you see the “Pending” notification on Snapchat, it means your snap hasn’t been sent yet. And many factors contribute to this case. It could be an error in the app or your internet connection.

Here, we’ll break down what it means when you receive a “pending” Snapchat notification, why the report appears, and how to fix the issue so that the app functions normally again. Keep on reading to know more.

What Does “Pending” Status Mean on Snapchat?

If you see a Snapchat pending warning instead of an error report, the app will keep trying to send the message until it is received or you cancel it. But why does this happen? These are some of the most common reasons behind it:

Pending Request

It means they are yet to accept you on Snapchat. The most common Snapchat pending notice is a friend request. If you recently added a friend to your list, but they still need to add you back, the Pending notification will appear beneath their name.

Snapchat friend and follow request prevents you from being added to a stranger’s friends list.

After Being Blocked

If one of your friends stops sending snaps and their chat has a pending notification, they may have blocked you.

Similar to the previous situation, their chat status changes to pending when the other user no longer wants you as a Snapchat friend. Snapchat restricts you from sending or viewing messages.

Poor Internet Connection

If you have a slow or weak internet connection signal, this may lead to failure in sending messages.

Inactive User Account 

The pending notice will also appear next to their name if they have chosen to deactivate their Snapchat account. The chat will remain in your contact list as a pending notification.

App Crashes

Although it is unlikely, you may get the pending notification even though the abovementioned cases are absent. It only means that there could be a bug in the software.

Opening and closing the chat window may reveal the issue. If the notice continues, there might be issues with the app.

Steps to fix the “Pending” Notification on Snapchat

If you encounter a Snapchat pending message error, you can try a few things to fix it. So here’s how you can do it:

Check your account for unfriends.

Search Snapchat’s Chat area for their name. You may enter their full name or username to see their profile. They’ve unfriended you if the “Remove Friends” appears.

Reboot the Snapchat application.

Close the app completely, then relaunch the app after a few minutes. Check Snapchat to see whether your message is still pending. You may also restart your phone to freshen up the overall system.

Uninstall and reinstall Snapchat from your device.

You may also remove and download the Snapchat application from your phone if the notification is still present. This step is helpful if there are bugs in the app since you’ll be able to get its latest patches.

Reaching your friend using a different messaging service.

Message our friend through other methods. If you still are waiting for a reply, remember that network issues or dead batteries may prevent them from receiving it.

Check Snapchat’s Twitter Support for the latest info. 

Snapchat will tweet system-wide issues, so search Snapchat’s public Twitter for the latest announcements. Snapchat support is @snapchatsupport. If there are issues regarding the app, wait until they settle it before acting.

Key Takeaways

Checking and fixing “Pending” Snapchat notification is easy as a breeze. If you encounter this problem one of these days or are currently going through one, follow this guide to resolve it in no time. 

Frequently Asked Questions:

Does pending on Snapchat mean blocked?

Snapchat’s “Pending” notification usually indicates that the other user has not accepted your message or friend request.

Why does Snapchat say pending but still friends?

If you’ve previously approved a friend request, they won’t see your message until they accept it. If you’re confident you’re friends with someone on Snapchat but still get pending messages, they may have unfriended you.

How do you know if someone unfriended you on Snapchat?

Checking your friend list can also reveal if a friend has unfriended you. To find them, tap the profile button on the camera screen. Select “My Friends” and enter their username. This list won’t include ex-friends.

What does the GREY pending mean on Snapchat?  

A gray pending indicator may show up if a person still needs to accept your friend request. It also depends on their privacy settings.