Snapchat Solar System is once again in the spotlight this August, as the platform rolls out design improvements and new privacy settings. The feature, exclusive to Snapchat Plus subscribers, continues to spark interest because it gamifies friendships by showing how close someone is to you in a planetary orbit system.
In the Snapchat Solar System, your profile represents the Sun, while your top eight friends appear as planets. Mercury represents the closest friend, while Neptune shows up as the eighth. The order is determined by interactions such as sending snaps, maintaining streaks, chatting, and viewing stories. This playful yet sometimes sensitive feature has been updated with noticeable changes in August 2025.
What’s New in the Snapchat Solar System This Month?
- Planet Redesigns: Each planet has been refreshed with more colorful details. Mercury and Venus now include animated heart effects, while Neptune has a shimmering background that makes it stand out. These subtle visual changes make the Solar System more engaging.
- Extra Opt-In Control: In response to earlier concerns, Snapchat has introduced an additional toggle within settings. This allows users to decide not only whether to participate in the Solar System but also whether badges linked to it appear beside their Bitmoji.
- On-Screen Help: A new “info” button now explains what each planet means. For example, tapping on Mercury shows a short note: “This is your closest friend on Snapchat.” This makes it easier for new users to understand rankings without leaving the app.
Key Points Summary
🔹 Planet visuals are brighter and more animated.
🔹 Users now have more control over showing or hiding their planet badges.
🔹 Quick “explain” tool helps users interpret rankings instantly.
Why the Snapchat Solar System Matters
The Solar System remains one of Snapchat’s most unique offerings. It creates a sense of play around digital friendships, while also encouraging more interaction between users. Unlike streaks, which focus on daily consistency, the Solar System is a broader reflection of your activity with close friends.
Snapchat is careful about privacy. Only you see your Solar System and the order of your planets. Friends do not know where they appear in your system unless they also subscribe to Snapchat Plus and check their own rankings. This makes the feature fun without exposing personal interaction data to others.
Balancing Fun and Sensitivity
While the Solar System is meant to be lighthearted, some users have expressed concern in the past about how it affects self-esteem. To address this, Snapchat made the feature optional and continues to refine the experience. The latest changes are designed to make the visuals more playful, while also giving users greater choice over visibility.
By keeping the Solar System behind a subscription paywall, Snapchat also ensures it remains a premium feature. For those who enjoy personalization and exclusive perks, the Solar System fits right alongside features like custom app icons and story rewatch counts.
The Bigger Picture for Snapchat Plus
The Solar System is one of several features keeping Snapchat Plus attractive to subscribers. With over 10 million paying users worldwide, Snapchat has found success by offering fun upgrades that make the app feel more personal. The Solar System remains a central piece of that strategy because it combines creativity with social interaction in a way few other apps attempt.
As competition grows across social media platforms, features like the Snapchat Solar System highlight how Snap focuses on playful visuals and strong connections between friends. The August 2025 refresh underlines the company’s commitment to keeping even small details fun, customizable, and user-friendly.
Final Thoughts
The Snapchat Solar System has always been a conversation starter, and these August updates make it even more polished. From colorful animations to extra privacy controls, the latest tweaks show that Snapchat is listening to its users. Whether you love checking your closest “planet friends” or prefer to keep things low-key, the choice is now firmly in your hands.
What do you think about the new changes? Share your thoughts in the comments and let’s see how the Solar System continues to evolve.