Why Can’t I Unpin on Snapchat? Fixes & Workarounds

Snapchat has become one of the most popular social media apps, especially among younger users, due to its emphasis on privacy, temporary messaging, and user interaction features. One such feature is the ability to pin conversations at the top of your chat feed, helping you keep track of important contacts. However, users sometimes report that they are unable to unpin these chats, leading to confusion and frustration.

If you’ve found yourself asking, “Why can’t I unpin on Snapchat?”, you’re not alone. This issue can have multiple causes, ranging from software glitches to misunderstanding the app’s settings. This article will explore the most common reasons behind this issue and provide fixes and workarounds that you can use to get back to using Snapchat the way you prefer.

What Does Pinning Mean on Snapchat?

Pinning on Snapchat allows users to move a chat to the top of their conversation list. This is particularly useful if you frequently contact someone and don’t want to scroll down through a long list of messages to find them. Once pinned, the conversation stays at the top, even if new messages come in from others.

To pin a chat, all you need to do is:

  • Go to the Chat screen by swiping right from the Camera screen
  • Press and hold the friend’s name
  • Select “Chat Settings”, then tap “Pin Conversation”

However, some users face an unexpected problem: the option to unpin disappears or simply doesn’t work.

Why Can’t You Unpin a Conversation?

There can be several reasons you might be unable to unpin a chat on Snapchat. Here are the most common ones:

  1. Outdated Version: The app might not be updated to support all features consistently. Older versions can cause UI bugs.
  2. Temporary Glitch: App bugs or temporary glitches can disable functions, including the unpin option.
  3. Incorrect Steps: Some users may be navigating the wrong menu or misunderstanding steps required to unpin.
  4. Limited Region-Specific Features: In rare cases, certain features like pinning are available only in specific regions before being rolled out globally.
  5. Customization Conflicts: If you’ve customized your pinned chats, you might be confusing down the interface, which makes unpinning less obvious.

How to Unpin a Chat on Snapchat

If you’re facing issues unpinning a chat, try the following step-by-step method:

  1. Open the Snapchat app
  2. Swipe right to go to the Chat screen
  3. Press and hold the pinned chat you want to remove
  4. Select “Chat Settings”
  5. Tap on “Unpin Conversation”

If the “Unpin Conversation” option does not appear, move on to the troubleshooting steps below.

Fixes and Workarounds

1. Update Snapchat

The most effective fix is to ensure your Snapchat app is updated to the latest version. Go to the App Store or Google Play Store and install pending updates. Developers frequently release bug fixes and UI improvements in new versions.

2. Restart the App

Close the app completely and restart it. Sometimes, a simple relaunch can reset minor bugs.

3. Clear Snapchat Cache

Clearing the cache can help fix many app-related issues. To do this:

  • Go to your Profile
  • Tap on the gear icon to access Settings
  • Scroll down and tap on “Clear Cache”
  • Restart Snapchat and try to unpin the chat again

4. Reinstall Snapchat

If the problem persists, uninstalling and reinstalling the app may help. Be aware that you might need to log in again and you could lose some minor settings or app data.

5. Check Device Compatibility

Ensure your smartphone’s operating system is compatible with the latest Snapchat release. Sometimes older devices may not fully support new UI features.

6. Use Snapchat Web as a Temporary Workaround

If all else fails, consider accessing Snapchat Web to try replicating the process. While the web version is limited, you might be able to manage some settings more effectively from there.

When to Contact Snapchat Support

If none of these solutions work, it may indicate a deeper issue with your account or the Snapchat servers. In such cases, reaching out to Snapchat Support is advisable. Be sure to include device details, app version, and screenshots if possible to help them resolve your issue promptly.

Conclusion

Being unable to unpin a conversation on Snapchat can be annoying, especially if you find yourself staring at a chat you no longer want prioritized. But most of the time, this issue can be resolved with simple fixes like updating the app or clearing the cache. For more persistent issues, support from Snapchat can provide further insights. By understanding the reasons and using the tips outlined above, you’ll be back to customizing your chat feed in no time.

I'm Ava Taylor, a freelance web designer and blogger. Discussing web design trends, CSS tricks, and front-end development is my passion.
Back To Top