Snapchat is a popular social media app that lets users send photo and video messages that disappear after being viewed. One of Snapchat’s key features is that messages are not permanent and are deleted after being seen. However, sometimes Snapchat users want to delete multiple Snapchats at once instead of one-by-one. This saves time and keeps your Snapchat account tidy. So, can you delete multiple Snapchats at once?
Deleting Individual Snapchats
By default, Snapchat allows you to delete individual Snaps and Chats by pressing and holding on them. Here is how to delete a single Snapchat:
- Open the Snapchat app and go to your Chat screen
- Press and hold on the Snap or Chat you want to delete
- Tap the trash can icon that appears to delete it
This will immediately delete that particular Snap or Chat. However, this can be time consuming if you want to delete multiple old messages at once. Luckily, there are a couple ways to delete multiple Snapchats simultaneously.
Deleting Multiple Snapchats in Chat
The easiest way to delete multiple Snapchats is directly in the Chat screen:
- Open the Chat with the Snaps you want to delete
- Tap and hold on a Snap until you see the trash can icon
- Without lifting your finger, use it to drag over and select multiple Snaps
- Lift your finger and all selected Snaps will show the trash can icon
- Tap the trash can icon to delete all selected messages
This technique allows you to quickly swipe over and select multiple Snapchats in a chat using your finger. Once selected, tapping the trash icon will delete all of them at once.
Deleting Chats in Snapchat
In addition to deleting individual Snaps, you can also delete entire Chats in Snapchat to remove all messages exchanged with a user:
- Open your Chat screen and swipe right to access your Friends list
- Tap and hold on a friend’s name until a settings menu appears
- Tap “Clear Chat” to delete your entire chat history with that friend
This will delete the entire conversation as opposed to individual Snaps. Use this if you want to wipe your message history clean with a specific Snapchat friend.
Using Snapchat’s My Data Tool
Snapchat also offers a “My Data” tool that lets you bulk delete Snapchat data including Chats:
- Go to your Snapchat Profile and tap the Settings cog icon
- Scroll down and select “My Data”
- Tap “Submit Request” and enter your password when prompted
- Snapchat will compile your data into a ZIP file available for download within 24-48 hours
- Open the ZIP file on your computer and browse to the “json” > “chat” folder
- Delete the .json files for any chats you want to delete
- Re-zip the folder and upload it back to Snapchat to sync the changes
While complex, this gives you granular control to mass delete Snapchat chats by deleting associated data files.
Third-Party Apps
Some third-party apps also exist that can delete multiple Snapchats:
- Cleaner for Snapchat (iOS) – Allows deleting full conversations
- Snapchat Cleanup (Android) – Deletes all snaps at once
- Snapchat Eraser (iOS) – Select and delete multiple chats
However, use caution as giving third-party apps access to your Snapchat introduces risks.
Deleting Chats from Memories
Snapchat Memories allows you to save and view old Chats. You can also delete multiple Chats from Memories:
- Open Memories and tap the Chats icon
- Tap Select at the top right to enter selection mode
- Tap to select multiple Chats you want to delete
- Tap Delete at the bottom and confirm to delete
This provides a way to mass delete Snapchat Chats that you’ve saved to Memories.
Conclusion
While Snapchat does not have a native “select all” delete feature, there are a few ways to delete multiple Snapchats at once:
- Use the drag-select method to delete multiple Snaps in Chat
- Clear full chats by long-pressing a friend’s name
- Download your Snapchat data and mass delete .json files
- Use third-party apps at your own risk
- Delete saved Chat Memories in bulk
Taking a few minutes to mass delete old Snaps, Chats, and Memories can save time and keep your account clean. But be cautious about third-party apps, as giving access to Snapchat data can be risky. Overall, manually selecting chats and using Snapchat’s own tools are the safest options for bulk deleting Snaps.
Method | Platform | Safety |
---|---|---|
Drag selecting chats | Snapchat app | Safe |
Clear full chats | Snapchat app | Safe |
My Data tool | Snapchat online | Safe |
Third-party apps | iOS/Android | Risks |
Memories select | Snapchat app | Safe |
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about deleting multiple Snapchats:
Is there a “select all” option for deleting Snapchats?
No, Snapchat does not currently have a “select all” feature for deleting multiple Snaps or Chats simultaneously. You need to manually select chats you wish to delete.
Will Snapchats I delete for others also delete from my account?
No, deleting a Snap or Chat just removes it from your perspective. The Snap will remain on other users’ accounts unless they also delete it.
Can I recover a Snapchat after deleting it?
Unfortunately no, Snapchats deleted from Chat cannot be recovered, which is the nature of the app’s temporary messaging. However, you can save some Snaps to Memories to prevent deletion.
What’s the easiest way to bulk delete Snapchat messages?
The simplest method is to use the drag-select delete option right within your Chat screen. Hold and drag your finger over multiple Snaps to quickly mass delete what you choose.
Is it safe to use a third-party app to delete Snapchats?
No, giving third-party apps access to your Snapchat account and data can introduce risks. Stick to using Snapchat’s own tools whenever possible.