Snapchat is a popular social media app that allows users to send photos, videos, and messages that disappear after being viewed. Sometimes Snapchat will temporarily lock accounts for violating their terms of service or if there is suspicious activity. Getting a locked Snapchat account unlocked is possible in many cases if you follow the proper steps.
Why Does Snapchat Temporarily Lock Accounts?
There are a few main reasons why Snapchat may temporarily lock an account:
- Violating Snapchat’s Community Guidelines – Things like sending inappropriate content, spamming, impersonation, etc. can trigger a temporary lock.
- Suspicious activity – If Snapchat detects suspicious login attempts or actions that seem automated, they may lock the account temporarily.
- Inactivity – Accounts that have not been logged into for a long time may get temporarily locked as well.
A temporary lock is usually Snapchat’s way of getting your attention to prevent further policy violations or suspicious behavior. It’s meant to be an opportunity to correct issues with your account.
How Long Does a Temporary Lock Last?
The duration of a temporary lock can vary depending on the severity of the violation or suspicious activity. Some common temporary lock periods include:
- 12 hours
- 24 hours
- 48 hours
- 1 week
For very severe violations, an account may be permanently locked. But in most cases, a temporary lock will eventually expire after a set time period.
Can You Unlock a Temporarily Locked Account Early?
Unfortunately there is no way to fully unlock a temporarily locked Snapchat account before the time period expires. Even if you reset your password, the lock remains in effect. Some things you can try while waiting out the lock period include:
- Logging in periodically to check if the lock has lifted
- Emailing Snapchat Support if you feel the lock was a mistake
- Updating your password so you’re ready when the account unlocks
But there is no instant way to unlock a locked Snapchat account. You simply have to wait out the duration determined by Snapchat’s system.
What to Do When Your Account is Temporarily Locked
Here are some tips on what to do if your Snapchat account gets temporarily locked:
- Don’t panic – It’s just temporary and your account will come back!
- Read any alert messages – Snapchat should indicate why the lock is occurring.
- Think about what triggered it – Reflect on any recent actions that may have violated policies.
- Change your password – Reset your password so no one else can access your account.
- Avoid logging in repeatedly – This may trigger additional locks.
- Wait it out – Most locks last 12-48 hours maximum.
- Update your account – Remove anything that may have caused the violation.
- Review guidelines – Read Snapchat’s rules to avoid future locks.
- Contact support if needed – Reach out if you feel the lock was a mistake.
Following these steps can help you get your account back to normal once the temporary lock is lifted. The main thing is to be patient and avoid anything that could extend the lock period.
What Happens When the Lock Period is Up?
Once the temporary lock period has expired, the next time you log into Snapchat it should function normally again. You’ll be able to view stories, send snaps, and use filters as usual. Make sure you are logging in from the device where you normally access your Snapchat account. Here’s what to expect when your account unlocks:
- You’ll be able to log into your account again
- Any saved messages will become visible
- You can send/receive snaps and chat messages again
- You’ll have access to stories, memories, settings, etc.
- Friends won’t see the account as temporarily locked anymore
Do be aware that violating policies again may trigger another temporary lock. Snapchat’s system is designed to detect repeat offenders. So learn from any mistakes and follow the proper terms of service moving forward.
Why You Should Avoid Getting Your Account Locked
It’s best practice to avoid getting your Snapchat account temporarily locked when possible. Here are some good reasons why:
- You lose access temporarily – Can’t snap friends or view stories during the lock.
- Friends wonder where you went – They may worry if your account suddenly disappears.
- It could lead to a permanent ban – Repeat locks increase the risk of permanent disabling.
- You have to wait days to regain access – Locks can last up to a week before lifting.
- Locks frustrate loyal users – Getting locked out temporarily diminishes the user experience.
The best way to avoid these headaches is to follow Snapchat’s rules closely and use your best judgment when posting content. Temporary locks are preventable in most cases.
Steps to Avoid Getting Locked Out of Your Account
Here are some proactive steps you can take to avoid getting temporarily locked out of Snapchat:
- Carefully review Snapchat’s Community Guidelines and Terms of Service and follow them.
- Don’t post any sexually explicit images or videos.
- Don’t harass, bully, or spam other Snapchat users.
- Don’t use third-party apps that claim to get you more views or followers.
- Don’t buy or sell accounts, usernames, filters, etc.
- Don’t use Snapchat to send drugs or other illegal products.
- Don’t impersonate celebrities or other Snapchat users.
- Don’t spam Snapcodes or repeatedly add users who don’t add you back.
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication for added account security.
- Change your password periodically and avoid weak passwords.
Staying away from policy violations and suspicious activities can help keep your account in good standing. And if you do get locked out, learn from it!
Dealing With Repeat Temporary Locks
If your Snapchat account keeps getting temporarily locked, here are some ways to deal with repeat locks:
- Determine the trigger – Identify any common actions before each lock.
- Tone down your activity – Avoid anything perceived as overly promotional.
- Remove friends sparingly – Don’t mass delete friends as this can be seen as suspicious behavior.
- Spread out actions – Don’t follow, snap, post, etc. too rapidly.
- Review guidelines again – Ensure you haven’t overlooked any important rules.
- Contact Snapchat – Explain the issue and ask if they have advice.
- Switch accounts – Create a new account and transition friends if needed.
Getting your account locked repeatedly is frustrating, but try to remain calm. Take a break from Snapchat for a few days if needed. The locks are temporary and your account will recover.
How to Contact Snapchat Support
If you feel your Snapchat account has been locked in error or have an issue getting back into your account, you can contact Snapchat support for assistance. Here are some tips for reaching out:
- From a desktop browser go to support.snapchat.com and click on “My Account and Settings” then “Login and Account Access.”
- Click “Contact Us” and complete the online contact form.
- Clearly explain your issue and why you feel the account lock was a mistake or unfair.
- Include any detail you have like the lock duration, what triggered it, etc.
- Allow 1-2 business days for an initial response time.
- Be patient and polite in your communications as representatives can further help or hinder the process.
Snapchat support should be able to review your case and remove any erroneous locks. But keep in mind they won’t lift locks before the timed duration is up.
Can You Delete and Recreate a Locked Account?
Deleting and recreating your Snapchat account is not an effective way to get around a temporary lock. Here’s why it won’t work:
- The lock is tied to your device ID and IP address, not just the account.
- Creating a new account to evade a lock will get the new account locked as well.
- You have to wait out the lock period regardless before accessing Snapchat again.
- You lose your friends list, memories, settings, etc. when deleting your account.
- A deleted account can’t be reactivated if it’s still within the lock period.
It’s better to just be patient with a locked account rather than trying to bypass it with a new account. Maintain access by following Snapchat’s guidelines for acceptable use.
Can You Use Snapchat on Other Devices When Locked?
When your Snapchat account is temporarily locked, the lock extends across all devices you use to access Snapchat, not just the device you were using when locked. Here is how a Snapchat lock works across devices:
- The lock applies no matter what device you log into Snapchat from.
- Trying to use a secondary mobile device won’t unlock the account.
- Even logging in from a friend’s phone or tablet won’t work.
- This is because the lock is on your account, not a specific app install.
- There’s no workaround – you have to wait out the lock period.
Think of a Snapchat temporary lock as being on your account profile, almost like a shadowban. It will persist across iOS, Android, tablets, etc.
Conclusion
Getting your Snapchat account temporarily locked can be inconvenient and frustrating. But in most cases it only lasts 12-48 hours at the maximum. The main thing is avoiding behaviors that trigger locks, like policy violations. Be patient, reflect on what may have caused the lock, and wait for access to be restored. With responsible use, you can avoid getting repeated temporary locks on Snapchat.