Snapchat has become one of the most popular social media platforms, especially among younger users. The app allows you to send photos, videos, and messages that disappear after being viewed. While Snapchat can be fun to use, it also can be distracting and time-consuming. If you find yourself spending too much time on Snapchat and want to take a break, you may want to deactivate your account. Here is what you need to know about deactivating Snapchat from your phone.
What does deactivating your Snapchat account do?
When you deactivate your Snapchat account, it will remain dormant until you log back in. Your profile, snaps, chats, etc. will be hidden but not deleted. Deactivating your account does the following:
- Your profile will no longer show up for other users to search for or view
- You will not receive any snaps, chats, calls, etc. from other users
- Your Snapchat score will be frozen
- Your Snapstreaks will pause
- You will not show up on any of your friends’ friend lists
Essentially, deactivating makes it so you have “paused” your Snapchat usage without losing anything. It’s like putting your account on hold temporarily.
How to deactivate your Snapchat account
Deactivating your Snapchat account is simple to do right from the app on your mobile device:
- Open the Snapchat app and go to your profile screen
- Tap the Settings icon in the top right corner (it looks like a gear)
- Scroll down and tap “Support”
- Select “I need help with my account”
- Tap “Account deactivation”
- Enter your username and password when prompted
- Select how long you want your account deactivated for – 1 week, 1 month, etc
- Tap “Continue” to confirm deactivation
It’s as easy as that! Snapchat will immediately deactivate your account until you log back in. You can repeat the deactivation process whenever you want to take another break.
What happens if you only delete the Snapchat app?
Simply deleting the Snapchat app from your phone does NOT deactivate your account. Your profile and information will remain active for other users to see. You will stop receiving notifications, but your friends can still snap you and see your profile and activity. To fully deactivate your account, you have to go through the official process within the app as explained above.
Can you reactivate your Snapchat at any time?
Yes, reactivating your Snapchat after deactivating is easy. Just log back into your account using your username and password. All of your friends, snaps, chats, etc. will reappear just as they were. Your Snapstreaks will resume where you left off. It will be like you never skipped a beat! You can also shorten or extend your deactivation period at any time.
Are there alternatives to deactivating Snapchat?
If you don’t want to fully deactivate your Snapchat account, there are a few alternatives to consider:
- Unfollow accounts – You can choose to unfollow certain accounts whose stories you don’t watch or that aren’t important to you. You’ll still be friends, but their content will no longer show up for you.
- Turn off notifications – Disable Snapchat notifications so you aren’t constantly alerted to new snaps, stories, etc. This helps avoid the temptation to check the app.
- Use screen time limits – Set daily time limits for Snapchat usage and lock yourself out once you hit the limit.
- Temporarily delete the app – Delete Snapchat from your phone for a period of time without deactivating your account.
These options allow you to distance yourself from Snapchat without fully committing to deactivating your account. You can toggle these settings on and off as needed.
What should you do before deactivating Snapchat?
Before taking the plunge and deactivating your Snapchat account, here are a few things you may want to do:
- Let close friends know you’ll be taking a break from Snapchat and won’t be reachable for a while
- Download any important snaps, memories, or stories you want to save
- Screenshot your Snapcode and username so you have them after deactivating
- Check any upcoming Event RSVPs and cancel your attendance if needed
- Sync your Snapchat contacts to make sure you have friends’ numbers/usernames outside of the app
Taking these steps ensures you have anything important saved before deactivating and avoids confusion for any friends who may try to reach you on Snapchat while you’re gone.
Conclusion
Deactivating your Snapchat account is straightforward to do right from the app’s settings. It can provide a nice break from the constant snaps, stories, and social pressure. Just be aware deactivating is not the same as deleting your account – all of your data remains intact for when you return. With Snapchat being such a social norm, especially for young people, a deactivation may only last a short while. But taking time away can be healthy and let you focus on other aspects of life beyond social media.