How can I backup all my Snapchat memories?

Snapchat has become one of the most popular social media platforms, especially among young people. A big part of Snapchat’s appeal is that photos and videos shared on the app disappear after being viewed. This creates an air of privacy and impermanence that encourages users to share more freely. However, many users still want to save and backup their Snapchat stories, snaps, and memories. Here are some tips on how to download and backup all your Snapchat memories.

Why You Should Backup Your Snapchat Memories

There are several good reasons to backup your Snapchat memories regularly:

• Snapchat memories vanish forever if you don’t save them. There is no way to retrieve snaps and stories after they expire on Snapchat.
• Memories create a digital archive of your life that you may want to look back on and treasure for many years.
• Losing cherished memories due to a lost or damaged phone can be devastating.
• You may want to download memories to post on other social media platforms or share with friends who are not on Snapchat via email, messaging, etc.
• Backing up helps ensure you will always have access to special memories, even if your Snapchat account is banned or deactivated.

Overall, saving Snapchat photos, videos, and stories is the only way to preserve these fleeting sharing experiences. Just like you would back up the photos on your phone’s camera roll, you should also download Snapchat memories for safekeeping.

How To Backup Snapchat Memories on Android

There are a few different methods Android users can use to save Snapchat memories:

Method 1: Using a Third-Party App

A number of third-party apps are available that will let you download and save Snapchat photos, videos, and stories:

• Snapchat Saver/Keeper: This popular app lets you save received and sent snaps, as well as stories. Downloaded snaps can be saved to your camera roll.
• Snapbox: Works similarly to Snapchat Saver, allowing you to download snaps and stories. You can also re-watch stories and snaps within the app.
• SnapDrop: Saves both snaps and stories. Has the option to transfer downloads to cloud storage services like Google Drive and Dropbox.
• Dumps for Snapchat: Allows saving of snaps and stories. Download is one click and files are saved anonymously.

The advantage of using these third-party apps is convenience. Just link the app to your Snapchat account and you can easily download any memory. The downside is sometimes downloads can decrease in quality.

Method 2: Using a File Explorer

You can also use your Android device’s file explorer to find and save Snapchat files:

1. Open your Android file explorer app and navigate to the Snapchat folder, which is usually located in the Pictures folder.
2. Open the Memories folder – this contains all your saved Snapchat memories.
3. Long press any memory you want to save and select the export, share, or save option.
4. Your Snapchat photos and videos can be saved to your camera roll or gallery.

The advantage of this method is it does not require any third-party apps. The downside is that it only allows you to save memories you have manually saved within Snapchat already, not expiring stories.

Method 3: Take Screenshots

If you need to quickly save a disappearing snap or story, taking a screenshot is the easiest method:

1. Open the snap or story you want to save.
2. Take a screenshot by pressing your device’s volume down + power button simultaneously.
3. The screenshot will be saved to your camera roll automatically.

Screenshots are fast and simple to take. But the downside is the quality is not as high as downloading the original file through other methods.

How To Backup Snapchat Memories on iPhone

iPhone users also have a few options to save Snapchat memories:

Method 1: Using a Third-Party App

As with Android, third-party apps provide the easiest way to download Snapchat files on iPhone:

• Snapbox: Allows saving of snaps, stories, and memories. Saved files can be replayed within the app.
• Snapchat Saver: Downloads snaps, stories, and memories with one click. Links to cloud storage services too.
• SnapSave: Fast saving of snaps, stories, chat logs, and memories.
• SnapDrop: Downloads snaps, stories, memories, and chat logs while preserving privacy.

Third-party apps provide the most features for downloading many types of Snapchat files all in one place.

Method 2: Using Airplane Mode

You can trick Snapchat into letting you save a memory by enabling Airplane Mode on your iPhone:

1. Open the snap or story you want to save.
2. Once it’s loaded, turn on Airplane Mode in your Settings app.
3. Take a screenshot of the snap or story after Airplane Mode is on.
4. The image will now be saved in your Photos app.
5. Remember to turn Airplane Mode off after.

This uses Airplane Mode to block Snapchat from being able to reset the snap or story timer. It takes a few extra steps but lets you directly save files without third-party apps.

Method 3: Use the Screen Recording Feature

You can screen record snaps and stories on an iPhone running iOS 11 or later:

1. Open the Snapchat memory you want to record.
2. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open Control Center.
3. Tap the Screen Recording icon which looks like a circle inside a square.
4. Screen recording will start. Snapchat will send a notification that you are recording. You can stop and save the recording from Control Center when finished.
5. Saved screen recordings can be found in your Photos app.

Screen recording lets you capture videos of expiring memories. But Snapchat does send a notice that you are recording.

How To Backup Snapchat Memories on Computer

You can also save Snapchat memories from your smartphone to a computer using these methods:

• On Android, connect your device to computer via USB and locate Snapchat files using your file explorer. Copy files from the Android device storage to save them on your computer.
• On iPhone, connect to computer and open the Photos app. Go to the Albums section and find the Snapchat folder. Select all photos and videos you want to save then click Import or Download to transfer them to your computer.
• Upload memories from your camera roll to cloud storage like Google Drive or iCloud. Then login to these cloud accounts from a computer to access memories and download.
• Email yourself memories as attachments which can then be saved on your computer from the email.

Saving Snapchat files on a computer provides more storage space and a permanent backup not tied to your mobile device.

Other Snapchat Backup Tips

Utilize these other tips to make sure you never lose Snapchat memories:

• Memories Section: Use the My Eyes Only and regular Memories sections within Snapchat to save special photos, videos, and stories securely.
• Clear Other Files: Delete old snaps and stories regularly so you have room to save new memories.
• Manage Storage: Check your Snapchat app storage usage and clear cached files to free up space.
• Sync Accounts: Link Snapchat to services like Google Photos or iCloud Photos to auto-upload memories.
• Local Storage: Move memories saved on your device to external storage or SD card if you are running out of device space.

Can Someone See If You Screenshot on Snapchat?

A common question around saving Snapchat memories is whether the sender is notified if you take a screenshot. Here is how it works:

• Snapchat will notify the sender if you screenshot a snap they sent directly to you.
• Snapchat will not notify the sender if you screenshot or screen record a story they posted.
• Using Airplane Mode or third-party apps allow you to screenshot or save snaps without the sender being notified.

Overall, you can discreetly screenshot stories without the sender knowing. But directly sent snaps will alert the sender if you screenshot.

Can Snapchat Tell if You Use Third-Party Apps?

Snapchat cannot directly detect if you are using a third-party app to save memories. However, be aware:

• Extensive use of third-party apps could get your account flagged or banned by Snapchat.
• Downloaded files sometimes have watermarks added by the saving apps.
• Some third-party apps have been known to steal user data or require extensive permissions.
• Third-party apps often stop working when Snapchat updates, until the app developers issue fixes.

In general, using trusted third-party apps in moderation is unlikely to cause issues. But excessive use or certain rogue apps could potentially put your account at risk.

Conclusion

Backing up Snapchat memories takes just a few minutes but preserves your pictures, videos, and stories forever. Make downloading and saving memories a regular habit. Use a combination of the methods outlined above to have multiple backups of your favorite Snapchat moments.

With the ephemeral nature of Snapchat, you never know when a funny video or special occasion photo will disappear for good. Take steps to download your memories today so you will always be able to look back fondly on the moments you captured.