You can try resetting Snapchat to resolve a “pending” problem.
- If your Snapchat message says “pending,” it means you’re not friends with the person who received it.
- Even if you’ve given them a friend request, the gray “waiting” arrow may still appear.
- If your internet connection is spotty, Snapchat may show you the “pending” arrow.
- More stories can be found in the Technology Buzz collection.
Snapchat is an app with a lot of transparency. It sends you notifications when someone reads your messages, takes screenshots, replays them, and more. Most of these alerts are straightforward, but what does “pending” mean?
If your message is pending, it will be marked with a dull gray arrow on your feed. And the person to whom you sent the Snap is unlikely to see it.
What does the cryptic “pending” notice mean, and how can you repair it?
What does the term ‘pending’ on Snapchat mean?
The most typical cause is that the person to whom you’re trying to send a Snap hasn’t added you as a friend. By default, Snapchat will block any messages sent to you by someone you don’t know, and it will send the pending message to the sender.
Even if you’ve submitted a friend request to the person you’re trying to contact, the pending message will remain until they accept it.
If you’re sure you’re Snapchat friends with someone but the pending message still appears, it’s possible they’ve unfriended you. Check their profile for menus labeled Saved in Chat and Chat Attachments; if you don’t see them, you aren’t pals.
How to Get Rid of Snapchat’s “Pending” Message
Before you do anything else, be sure you’re friends with the person you’re attempting to contact. Check their profile once more to be sure you’re actually connected.
Check your internet connection if you’re not sure. A bad signal can mess up your Snaps, leading the app to believe that your messages aren’t being sent. Closer proximity to your Wi-Fi network, a reset, a new signal – whatever it takes to achieve the greatest connection.
Snapchat should also be restarted. Swipe up from the bottom of your phone’s screen to see all of your open apps, then swipe Snapchat off the screen to close it completely. If it doesn’t work, try restarting your phone.
If that fails, remove Snapchat and reinstall it from your device’s app store. You may need to log in again, however this will ensure that all of your pending messages are refreshed.
Finally, see if Snapchat is unavailable or suffering difficulties. When there’s a problem with Snapchat’s servers, the Snapchat Support Twitter page is updated. Take a look at it.
There isn’t much further that can be done if none of these changes work. Message your friend later or use a different app.
