Snapchat is one of the most popular messaging apps in the world. The app has achieved popularity by combining a few unique concepts, like using photos instead of text as the primary mode of communication, self-disappearing messages and gamifying the overall experience.

Every Snapchat user gets a Snap score that changes depending on their activity on the app. In this article, we’re talking about what the Snap score actually is and how does it work?

Also read: How does Snapchat order best friends?

What is Snap score, and how does it work?

Snap score is essentially an indication of how active you are on Snapchat. Snapchat tracks your overall activity on the app and increases your score accordingly as you spend more time using the app. Overall, your Snap score takes into account the following things:

The number of snaps you send and receive.
The number of stories you post and view.
The number of Discover videos you watch.
The number of friends you have on the app.
Your Snap streaks.

However, there’s a good chance that other things also influence your Snap score. Snapchat hasn’t exactly explained how the Snap score works; it’s just an arbitrary number under your profile that grows with your activity on the app. In Snapchat’s own words,

Your Snapchat score is determined by a super-secret, special equation that combines the number of Snaps you’ve sent and received, the Stories you’ve posted, and a couple other factors

How to check Snap scores?

Checking your Snap score is rather easy. Just follow these steps:

Open Snapchat and tap on your Bitmoji in the top left.
This will open your profile. You’ll be able to see your Snap score under your username.
Tapping your Snap score will show you how many snaps you’ve sent and received in the time you’ve used Snapchat.

Checking your friend’s Snap score works the same way.

Open Snap chat and tap the chats icon. Alternatively, you can swipe to the right.
Tap on the friend’s bitmoji whose Snap score you want to see.
You’ll be able to see your friend’s Snap score and all other details, including Charms.

How to increase your Snap score?

The best and fastest way to get your Snap score up is to use the app daily. The factors mentioned above affecting your Snap score are the biggest contributing factors to increasing your score. The more snaps you send, the higher streaks you maintain, the more friends you have and the more stories you post, the higher your score.

If you haven’t used Snapchat in a while, getting back on the app and using it will also give you a bonus Snap score boost. However, keep the following pointers in mind:

Snap score is only affected by sending photo and video snaps. Sending text messages does not count towards your Snap score.
Sending the same snap to multiple users doesn’t award extra points.

Why is my Snap score not increasing?

If you’re consistently sending snaps and working towards your Snap score, but it still isn’t increasing, it can indicate a problem with your app. Here are x fixes you can try out.

Update Snapchat

App updates bring bug fixes and improvements. If you haven’t updated your app in quite some time, your installation may be riddled with bugs that need fixing.

Go to the Play Store on Android or App Store on iOS and check for updates to the Snapchat app. If you find one, update the app and check if your Snap score updates.

Restart your phone and app

It doesn’t matter if you’re on iOS or Android; restarting your device can fix anything from app crashes to other system errors and seemingly random issues. So if Snapchat isn’t working on your phone, try restarting it to see if that resolves the Snapchat can’t find matching credentials error.

Check your internet connection

Snapchat requires an active internet connection to function properly. Not having an active connection, whether via WiFi or cellular data, can cause all sorts of issues on the app, including but not limited to crashes, black screens or Snapchat not being able to update your Snap score and streaks.

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If you’re using mobile data, check if you’ve got proper signals and network coverage and enable mobile data. For users on WiFi, try turning it off and on again; make sure you have internet access, and the signal strength is good.

Clear Snapchat app cache

App cache can often cause issues with the smooth functioning of an app. Follow the two methods below, which will help you clear Snapchat’s cache via in-app settings on iOS and Android, and via Android’s device settings.

Clear cache via app settings

Open the Snapchat app and follow the steps mentioned below to clear the app cache.

Snapchat can't find matching credentials: 5 fixes

Tap on the profile icon at the top-left of the screen.
Then, tap on the Gear (Settings) icon at the top-right of the screen on the next page.
Scroll down to the bottom and tap on Clear Cache under Account Actions on the next page.

Clear cache via Android settings

Open your Android device settings and follow the steps mentioned below to clear the Snapchat app cache.

Tap on Apps & notifications
On the next page, if you’ve recently used Snapchat, it will appear under Recently opened apps at the top. If it doesn’t, tap on the See all apps option. Then find and tap on Snapchat.
On the next page, tap on Storage & cache.
Then tap on Clear Cache.

A glitch on Snapchat’s end

Although quite rare, if you’re not seeing your Snap score update, Snapchat itself might be down. Try restarting the app and checking for updates, if any. If there’s a system outage, you’ll have to wait until Snapchat can figure it out.

Also read: Snapchat can’t find matching credentials: 5 Fixes