Snapchat is designed so that chats and messages disappear after being viewed. This is a core part of Snapchat’s appeal – the ephemerality provides a sense of privacy and intimacy. However, there are a few ways to keep Snapchat chats and messages forever if you wish.
Saving Chat History
By default, Snapchat does not save chat history. Once a snap or chat has been viewed, it is deleted from Snapchat’s servers. However, there are a couple of methods you can use to save your Snapchat chats:
Using a Third Party App
A number of third party apps exist that allow you to save your Snapchat chat history. These apps work by accessing your Snapchat data and saving chat logs, photos, videos etc. Some popular apps for saving Snapchat chats include:
- Snapchat Saver Apps – Android and iOS apps that automatically save chats.
- SnapSave – A web-based tool that lets you download and save snaps.
- SnapBox – Saves chats directly from your account.
To use these tools, you’ll have to connect your Snapchat account. They’ll then archive your Snapchat data which you can download. Do be aware that using third party apps violates Snapchat’s terms of service.
Using Airplane Mode
You can manually save Snapchat photos, videos and chats by using Airplane Mode on iOS devices. The steps are:
- Open the snap you want to keep and switch on Airplane mode.
- With Airplane mode enabled, take a screenshot of the snap.
- Close Snapchat and turn Airplane mode off.
This prevents Snapchat from knowing the snap has been viewed, so it won’t get deleted from their servers. You can then take a screenshot before reconnecting to the internet.
This is a bit of a manual process, but can be useful for saving the occasional important chat or photo.
Recovering Deleted Chats
If you didn’t save a chat and it has disappeared, is it possible to recover deleted Snapchat chats? Unfortunately, if the chat history has already been deleted from Snapchat’s servers, then it is likely gone for good.
Some methods that may work to restore deleted chats include:
Snapchat Memories
Snapchat Memories is a private storage area where Snapchat stores your saved photos, videos, etc. You may be able to dig up old chats in Memories if you have media attached.
Restore from iCloud or Google Drive Backups
If your chats were backed up to the cloud, you may find copies in your iCloud or Google Drive backups. You can restore backups to recover disappeared chats.
Snapchat Data Download
You can request Snapchat to package up all of the data associated with your account in one ZIP file with their Snapchat Data Download. This may contain old chats if they still exist on their servers.
But overall, recovering deleted chats is unreliable. Your best bet is to use a saver app or take screenshots if you want to keep chats forever.
How Long Do Snapchats Stay on Servers?
Exact details on how long deleted Snapchats stay on the company’s servers are not known publicly. However, evidence from users suggests snaps, chats and stories are deleted quickly – usually within 30 days.
Some factors that determine how long your snaps are kept include:
- Type of snap – Photos, videos and chats are deleted once opened. Stories remain for 24 hours.
- Recipient behavior – If they screenshot or otherwise save the snap, it may get deleted quicker.
- Storage space – Snapchat servers have limited space, so older snaps get purged first.
So while the lifetime varies, expect most deleted Snaps to be permanently gone within a month unless you’ve saved them manually.
Keeping Chats with Friends
If you have a particular friend whose chats you want to keep forever, you have a few options:
Ask Them to Save the Chats
The easiest option – just ask your friend to save their copy of the chat history! They will have the entire chat history in their app which they can save with a saver app or screenshots.
Create a Chat Group
When you create a Group Chat on Snapchat, the chats are saved in Group Chats history. This history remains even if you leave the group. So creating a group with your friend will let you keep the chat history.
Use a Separate Messaging App
For important conversations, consider switching to a messaging app designed for permanent chat storage, like SMS, WhatsApp, Telegram or Signal. The chat history will remain intact as long as you don’t delete the chats.
Can Police Recover Deleted Snaps?
Yes, it is possible for police to recover deleted Snaps in certain situations:
- Through forensic analysis of your device if they have access to it.
- By obtaining the deleted Snapchat data from Snapchat through a court order.
- If your chats were backed up to iCloud or Google Drive and police obtain access.
- Via recipient’s screenshot or other methods of saving the Snap.
So while Snapchats are designed to be deleted, determined police forensic work may be able to dig up those disappeared messages.
Conclusion
While Snapchats are designed to vanish after being viewed, there are ways to keep Snapchat chats forever if you want. Using third-party apps, Airplane Mode screenshots, asking friends to save chats, or using Group Chats can help preserve important conversations.
However, recovering deleted chats is unreliable as Snapchat deletes unviewed snaps from their servers within 30 days in most cases. So if you want to keep those funny, memorable or important chats, make sure to use a saving method before they’re gone for good!