On Kik, a faded 'D' is a light, translucent 'D' icon that appears next to messages, signifying that the message's push notification has been successfully sent to the recipient's device, but they have not yet opened the Kik app to view the message.
Visual Appearance and Meaning
The faded 'D' is distinct from a solid, darker 'D' icon. It indicates an intermediate stage in message delivery, specifically for messages sent to iPhones.
- Visuals: Imagine a 'D' symbol that appears somewhat washed out, lighter in color, or slightly transparent. It's subtle and not as boldly defined as a fully delivered message icon.
- Significance: When you see a faded 'D', it means:
- Kik has successfully sent the push notification for your message to your friend's iPhone.
- The message is effectively "on its way" to their device.
- However, your friend has not yet opened the Kik application on their phone. This means they haven't formally "received" or viewed the message within the app itself.
Message Delivery Stages on Kik
The 'D' icon on Kik evolves through different stages to indicate the status of your message. Here’s a breakdown of the 'D' icons:
| Icon Type | Appearance | Meaning | Recipient Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faded D | Light, translucent 'D' | Push notification sent to recipient's iPhone. | Recipient has not yet opened the Kik app. |
| Solid D | Dark, prominent 'D' | Message has been successfully delivered and received within the Kik app. | Recipient has opened the Kik app, and the message has loaded. |
| S | Solid 'S' | Message has been sent from your device. | Message is on its way to the Kik servers. |
| R | Solid 'R' | Message has been read by the recipient. | Recipient has opened the chat and viewed the message. |
Practical Insights
- Waiting for Confirmation: If you see a faded 'D', your message's notification has reached the recipient's phone, but you'll need to wait for it to change to a solid 'D' (and then potentially an 'R') for confirmation that the message has been delivered to their app and read.
- Platform Specificity: It's important to note that the faded 'D' specifically appears next to messages sent to iPhones.
- Recipient Engagement: A faded 'D' often implies that the recipient is not currently active on Kik or hasn't checked their app since the notification arrived.
