Snapchat has become one of the most popular social media platforms, especially among teenagers and young adults. One of Snapchat’s key features is that photos and videos shared on the platform disappear after being viewed. This gives users a sense of privacy and allows them to share moments that they may not want permanently posted online.
However, sometimes users may regret deleting a Snapchat video that they wanted to keep. So a common question is: Can I recover a deleted Snapchat video?
The short answer is maybe, but it’s tricky. There is no built-in way to recover deleted Snapchat videos. And since Snapchat deletes videos from its servers once they are viewed, recovering a deleted video requires using third-party data recovery software or depending on whether the recipient saved the video.
In this article, we’ll explore whether and how it’s possible to recover deleted Snapchat videos. We’ll cover:
How Snapchat Deletes Videos
To understand how to recover deleted Snapchat videos, it helps to first understand how Snapchat deletes videos in the first place.
When you send a photo or video on Snapchat, it gets uploaded to Snapchat’s servers. Once the recipient views the snap, Snapchat’s servers automatically delete the file. This happens whether the recipient views the snap once or replays it multiple times.
Snapchat states that its servers are designed to automatically delete each snap as soon as it is viewed. The platform was intentionally built this way to give users privacy and security about their messages disappearing.
So if you delete a Snapchat video you sent out before any recipients have viewed it, it will get deleted from Snapchat’s servers before it has a chance to be seen. And if a recipient opens your snap to view it, Snapchat’s system will delete the video from its servers immediately after it’s viewed.
This automated deletion system is how Snapchat can claim that videos “disappear forever.” Of course, while the files are deleted from their servers, there are still ways the videos can be recovered…as we’ll explain next.
Method 1: Using Data Recovery Software
Even though Snapchat deletes videos from its servers after they are viewed, the video files may still remain on your phone’s storage and memory until they are overwritten by new data.
So one way to try recovering deleted Snapchat videos is by using third-party data recovery software designed to restore deleted files on phones.
Some examples of data recovery apps that may work to restore deleted Snapchat videos include:
- iMyFone D-Back – iOS and Android
- Fonelab – iOS and Android
- EaseUS MobiSaver – iOS and Android
- Disk Drill – iOS and Android
- iSkysoft – iOS and Android
The basic process to recover deleted Snapchat videos using these tools is:
- Don’t continue using your phone and overwrite the deleted files. The sooner you use data recovery software, the better.
- Connect your phone to a computer and scan it with the data recovery program.
- Select the “Recover Deleted Files” or similar option in the software.
- Scan your phone. The software will detect deleted files still stored on your phone, including deleted Snapchat videos if they have not been overwritten.
- Preview and select the deleted Snapchat videos you want to recover.
- Save the recovered video files to your computer.
The success rate depends on how soon you run the data recovery scan after deleting the videos and whether the files have already been overwritten with new data. But if done promptly, data recovery software provides a good chance of restoring deleted Snapchat videos.
Method 2: Asking the Recipient
If you deleted a video you sent to someone on Snapchat, the recipient may have saved a copy that you could ask them to share back with you.
When someone receives a snap, they have the option to screenshot it or use Android and iOS built-in screen recording features to record the video. Users may choose to save snaps this way if they want to keep a memorable photo or video.
So if you really want a deleted sent Snapchat video back, it’s worth asking the recipient if they happened to save it. They may be able to restore the video and send it to you again.
However, you have to keep in mind that:
- The recipient is under no obligation to share the Snapchat video with you again. Do not pester them if they decline.
- You deleted the Snapchat for a reason in the first place. Ask yourself if you really want the recipient to recirculate a video you intentionally deleted.
- The recipient may not have saved the video in the first place.
While asking the recipient for the video you deleted is one option, respect their privacy if they choose not to send it to you again.
Trying to Recover Deleted Received Snapchat Videos
If you are trying to recover a deleted Snapchat video that someone else sent you, the options are more limited.
Unfortunately, there is no built-in Snapchat feature to recover snaps you received and then deleted. And since Snapchat’s servers automatically delete snaps after they are viewed, Snapchat does not have a copy of snaps you received once they are deleted.
However, there are a couple long-shot options for trying to recover deleted received Snapchat videos:
- Data recovery software: As explained above, if you act quickly before the files are overwritten, data recovery tools may be able to restore deleted files including Snapchat videos. Though since you have less control over an incoming Snapchat video auto-deleting, the chances are lower.
- Ask the sender: You can ask the person who sent the deleted Snapchat video to send it to you again if they still have a copy saved. However, they are under no obligation to share it again if you deleted it.
Unfortunately, if those two options do not work, there is likely no way to recover a deleted received Snapchat video. Doing so relies entirely on the sender choosing to re-share the exact same video with you again.
Why Recovering Deleted Snapchat Videos is Difficult
Now that we’ve explored the options, it’s clear that recovering deleted Snapchat videos is quite difficult and not guaranteed. But why is it so hard compared to recovering deleted files and media from other apps and devices?
There are a few reasons why Snapchat makes recovering deleted videos nearly impossible:
- Snapchat deletes media from its servers immediately after it is viewed once. So Snapchat does not maintain any archives or backups of snapped content.
- The app does not have any built-in recovery or backup features for snaps you view. All deleted snaps are intended to be gone forever.
- Snapchat videos often delete automatically before you even realize you want to recover them.
- Restoring deleted phone media requires the files not to be overwritten by new data. But Snapchat videos get overwritten quickly as you continue using Snapchat and your phone daily.
Essentially, the ephemeral nature of Snaps that get deleted immediately makes it near impossible for Snapchat to save or recover deleted videos.
Snapchat was intentionally designed this way to create an environment where users feel free sharing silly, embarrassing, or sensitive photos and videos without worrying about them being permanetly saved or coming back to haunt them later if they are deleted.
So while you can try data recovery software or asking the sender, in most cases, recovering deleted Snapchat videos is very challenging if not impossible. Going forward, if you capture a Snapchat video you really want to keep, it’s best to save a copy of it before sending or opening it in Snapchat.
Preventing Deleted Snapchat Videos in the Future
Since Snapchat deleted videos are difficult to recover once gone, the best approach is making sure you save copies of important videos so they are not reliant on Snapchat. Here are some tips:
- Open important Snapchat videos in the app and screen record them before sending – this creates a saved copy.
- Take screenshots of key frames from videos you want to keep.
- Use your phone’s built-in screen recording option outside the Snapchat app to record videos you receive.
- Copy and paste Snapchat videos into a gallery or photos app to save them externally.
- Download Snapchat videos immediately rather than opening them in the app.
- Enable auto-save for Snapchat stories or create collections of snaps you want to keep.
While Snapchat advertises disappearing videos, saving copies outside the app is the only way to ensure you have permanent access to special Snaps you don’t want to risk losing.
Conclusion
Recovering deleted Snapchat videos is very challenging and nearly impossible in most cases. The platform was designed for ephemeral sharing, causing videos to be deleted instantly from Snapchat’s servers after viewing.
To restore deleted Snapchat videos, the best options are using data recovery apps promptly or asking the recipient if they saved a copy. But success rates are low. The only surefire way to keep memorable Snapchat videos is to save copies of them externally before they are deleted.
Going forward, be proactive about saving special Snapchat videos if you may want permanent access to them. Snapchat’s servers cannot recover videos once deleted, so copies on your phone or cloud storage are the only way to prevent losing Snaps forever.