If you’re not super familiar with Snapchat, you may be confused by the lock icon that appears on some stories but not others. Like many other icons on the app, it is not self explanatory, so it makes sense that it could cause some uncertainty. So whether you’re new to the app or just don’t use it very often, here is what the lock means on Snapchat.
See also: What Does SFS Mean On Snapchat?
What Is The Lock On Snapchat?
If you see a lock on someone’s story that means that it is a private story. In other words, that story can only be viewed by certain selected friends of the poster. It’s a little counter-intuitive, since when seeing the lock you might assume you don’t have access to view the story. However, you do have access to it. So, if you see the lock on Snapchat, in a way it’s a compliment, since that person has included you specifically to see that post. It’s a lot like Instagram’s Close Friends feature.
You can tell whether you’ve seen a story or are up to date with it based on the colour of the lock. If the lock is purple, it means that the story is new and you haven’t seen it yet. If the lock is grey, that means you’ve already seen the story.
It’s worth noting that private stories are different from the My Eyes Only feature. My Eyes Only allows you to post something that no one else can see. It’s normally used to add something to your memories without sharing it. To use this feature, you will need to set up a passcode in order to view these posts.
How Do You Post A Private Story On Snapchat?
If you want to post a private story of your own, you can do so in a few simple steps. First, open the app and select your profile icon. Then, tap ‘custom story’ and then select ‘private story.’ Then you can create your story, selecting whichever photos, videos or text you want to share. Once you complete your story, you can then select which of your followers you want to share it with. You are able to post up to 20 private stories at a time, so you don’t have to limit yourself to just one.
See also: The Snapchat Update: Sent You A Snap Vs Sent A Snap Aren’t Different