Snap Map puts your Bitmoji on a map so friends can see where you are. It is one of Snapchat's most useful features and also one of its most misunderstood from a privacy angle. The good news: you are in full control of who sees you, and turning yourself invisible takes about ten seconds.
When your location updates
Your spot on the map updates when you open Snapchat. It does not track you in the background or while the app is closed - the pin reflects where you were the last time you used the app. So if a friend's Bitmoji looks "stuck" somewhere, it just means they have not opened Snapchat since.
Who can see you
By default, only people you are friends with can see your location, and even then only if you have not limited it. You choose from three settings:
| Setting | Who sees your location |
|---|---|
| Ghost Mode | Nobody - you are hidden from the map entirely |
| My Friends | Everyone on your friends list |
| Only these friends | A custom list you pick |
Strangers and people who are not your friends cannot see your location, full stop. Snap Map is not public.
How to turn on Ghost Mode
- Open Snapchat and pinch the camera screen or tap the location icon to open the Map.
- Tap the gear/settings icon in the top-right of the map.
- Turn on Ghost Mode. You can set it for 3 hours, 24 hours, or until you turn it off.
While Ghost Mode is on you can still see your friends on the map - you just are not visible to them. It is the right setting if you want to check the map without broadcasting where you are.
A few things worth knowing
Posting to Our Story or a public Spotlight can still attach a general location to that content, separate from your live map pin - so Ghost Mode hides your map position but is not a blanket "hide everything." If location privacy matters to you, it is also worth reviewing what a public profile reveals and the green dot activity indicator, since those are the other two ways Snapchat signals where and when you are active.