What Is Ghost Mode on Snapchat? (Full 2025 Guide + How to Use It)

Ghost mode is a privacy feature that hides your real-time location. Other users can’t see where you are when Ghost Mode is on. However, you can view your location on the map and also see your friends’ locations. You can enable it through the Snap Map’s settings menu.  

In Ghost mode, your Bitmoji features a ghost; it serves as a reminder that this mode is active. If your location settings are disabled, your Bitmoji won’t appear on the map, even for you to view where you are in relation to other people.

Ghost Mode allows you to appear offline on Snapchat, even if you’re currently online. To do this, it takes you off the Snap Map completely. To use these settings, no one can see your current or previous location, even if all the location permissions are enabled. You can use this when you want to go incognito on Snapchat.

Reddit user says, “Ghost Mode hides your real-time GPS location from others on Snap Map.
Quora: Some users leave it off because they are comfortable sharing their location.

Snapchat’s Snap Map is designed for exploring new places. The feature can also be used to skip the “made it home safe” text. But location-sharing options with an option to quickly toggle it off: Ghost Mode. If you’ve never opened the Snap Map, your location sharing should already be off. 

Ghost Mode set time automatically expires after three hours or a day, or is left active indefinitely. But Snapchat’s location-based features are also closely tied to your device. You even allow the app to see where you are in the first place. So, which is the better option, Snapchat’s Ghost mode or turning off location sharing from your device settings? Here’s what Snapchatters need to know about the app’s key location features.

According to communities like Reddit, it deletes your Snapchat Bitmoji from Snap Map and stops real-time tracking.
Quora: Friends are normally the only ones allowed to see the location.

To turn on ghost mode, you’ll need to follow the steps below:

• Firstly, open the Snapchat app and click on the profile avatar at the top left corner.
• Next, you can click on the settings icon at the top right corner.
• Scroll down a bit and select the option “See My Location.”
• A new screen will open; turn on ghost mode.
• It will ask you to select the duration of ghost mode, whether it should stay on for 3 hours, 24 hours, or until you turn it off.
• Choose any option of these.

Through this, your ghost mode will be turned on.

Pro Tip: According to Reddit, you can reactivate location sharing anytime if you need others to see you again.

When Ghost Mode is directly on the Snap Map, you can immediately stop location tracking. Here are the Steps:

• Open the Snapchat app.
• Pinch the screen to open Snap Map
• Click the Settings option in the top-right corner
• Enable the Ghost Mode
• Choose how long to stay invisible:
  • 3 hours
  • 24 hours
  • Until turned off 

This option allows you to turn on Ghost Mode even without visiting the Snap Map. Privacy-focused users on Reddit recommend this method.

Follow these Steps:

• Open the Snapchat app
• Click your profile icon
• Select the Snap Map option under “Public Profiles & Maps.”
• Go to Location Settings
• Turn on Ghost Mode

Additional visibility controls to decide who can access your location if you disable Ghost Mode later.

Pro Tip: Keep location sharing off for better privacy while using every feature normally.

To turn off guest mode, follow these steps:

Snapchat lets you share your location according to your preference. be it last seen or live location, it shows with a specific group of friends. This way, you will be invisible to others on Snapchat without using Ghost Mode. Ensure that you trust the selected contacts, as they can see your last or live location on Snapchat. So follow this process

Note: If you select the “My Friends,” “Except,” or “Only These Friends” option, you must add friends. You want to exempt or include it in your list of Snapchat location sharing.

Note: Turning off Hide My Live Location will display your last location on Snap Map to others unless Ghost Mode is enabled.

Now, instantly start live location sharing with the selected contacts. Your location will be updated automatically without using the Snapchat app. You can turn this off by enabling the “Hide my live location” option.

If you want to explore more location controls, we recommend reading our full Snapchat Live Location guide.

Reddit: Some people only allow trusted contacts to check their location.
Quora: Shared location is normally used for meetups, social openness, or safety.

Your last location shows when to use it & control visibility options.

Pro Tip: Friends use it to verify whether someone is lying or avoiding them.

You can quickly share with specific friends by selecting the “Hide My Live Location” toggle. 

Mentions include toggles for controlling who can see live tracking.

Feature	Ghost Mode ON	Location Access OFF
Friends see your location	No	No
Snapchat can access your location	Yes	No
App features like snapchat filters & Snap Map utilities	Full access	A few features may not work
Visibility is noticeably modified to others	No	No
authority	High privacy but full app experience	Maximum privacy but limited app features

Ghost Mode lets Snapchat work normally while keeping your privacy. 

No, Snapchat never notifies your friends if you:

• Firstly, turn on Ghost Mode in Snapchat. 
• Stop sharing your location.
• Change location visibility only for selected friends

Your Bitmoji disappears from the Snap Map, so the only way they might be able to predict where you are is if they look for it.

One of Snapchat’s most crucial security features is Ghost Mode. Among the benefits are

• Protection of your privacy from unknown persons.
•  Improved security if you don’t want your movements to be tracked in real time
• Less obligation to disclose your location each time you go out prevents passive tracking when someone looks at Snap Map without asking. 
• operates covertly and without warning or suspicion. 
• Every Snapchat feature, including Snap Score, and Streaks, is still operational. 
• Excellent for setting limits when friendships or relationships shift

You can use Snapchat freely in Ghost Mode without worrying about being watched

• A community user says:
• Stops unwanted tracking
• Prevents disturbing passive GPS sharing
• Protects unaware users
• Avoids controlling behavior
• Improves personal safety
• Helps avoid people who may be following.
• Useful when someone loses interest or becomes uncomfortable
• Better privacy when relationships change

Although we’ve covered everything about Ghost Mode in this guide, you can also check Snapchat’s official help page for additional details on how to turn it on or off. (official source) — Snapchat Support