Snapchat has become one of the most popular social media platforms, especially among younger users. The app allows you to send photo and video messages that disappear after being viewed. While many enjoy using Snapchat to stay connected with friends, others may eventually want to delete their Snapchat account permanently.
There are a few reasons why someone might want to delete their Snapchat account. You may feel like the app is taking up too much of your time or you want to take a break from social media. Some users want to delete Snapchat after a breakup to remove connections with an ex. Parents of younger users may also want to delete their child’s Snapchat account due to safety concerns.
Whatever your reasons, deleting your Snapchat account is possible. Unlike other platforms, Snapchat does allow users to permanently delete accounts. However, the process is a bit more complex than simply deactivating your profile.
In this comprehensive guide, we will walk through how to delete your Snapchat account permanently in just a few steps.
How Do I Delete My Snapchat Account?
If you are sure you want to delete your Snapchat account, here is a step-by-step guide to permanently removing your profile:
Step 1: Deactivate Your Account
The first step to deleting your Snapchat account is to deactivate it. Here’s how:
- Open the Snapchat app and go to your profile page
- Tap the settings icon in the top right corner
- Scroll down and select ‘Support’
- Choose ‘I need help with my account’ > ‘I want to delete my account’
- Select ‘Continue’ to deactivate your account
Once you deactivate your account, your profile will no longer show up for other users. However, Snapchat will keep your data in case you want to reactivate the account.
Step 2: Delete Your Account
After 30 days of having a deactivated account, you can permanently delete your Snapchat profile:
- Go back to the Snapchat app and login with your username and password
- This will reactivate your account
- Follow the steps above to deactivate your account again
- Wait another 30 days before you can proceed to permanent deletion
This second 30-day waiting period is mandatory before Snapchat will allow you to fully delete your account. It ensures you have time to change your mind and recover your account if needed.
Step 3: Request Account Deletion
Once the second 30-day deactivation period has passed, you can complete the permanent deletion:
- Go to Snapchat’s Account Delete page
- Enter your username and password to log in
- Select the “Delete My Account” button
- Confirm you want to delete your account
Snapchat notes it may take up to 24 hours to process account deletion requests. You’ll get a confirmation email once your account has been permanently removed.
What Happens When You Delete Snapchat?
Here are some key things that happen once you permanently delete your Snapchat account:
- Your profile, photos, videos, memories and chat history will be erased
- You lose your Snapchat username and it becomes available for others to claim
- You will no longer show up as a friend for any Snapchat users
- Any Snapscore you earned will be reset back to zero
- You won’t be able to log back into your account or recover deleted data
Essentially, permanently deleting your Snapchat wipes out all personal data from Snapchat’s servers. There is no way to retrieve anything once the account has been removed.
Can You Recover a Deleted Snapchat Account?
Unfortunately, there is no way to recover a Snapchat account after it has been permanently deleted.
Some key things to know:
- Snapchat does not keep or archive any data from accounts that have been deleted
- There is no recovery process or customer service option to restore accounts
- The only way to use Snapchat again is to create a brand new account
- You cannot reinstate your old username – it becomes available for anyone else to claim
For these reasons, make absolutely sure you want to delete Snapchat before going through the account cancellation process. It is meant to be permanent without any option to retrieve your prior profile.
Should I Download My Snapchat Data First?
Before deleting your Snapchat account permanently, you may want to save any data or memories you would like to keep.
Here are two options to download your Snapchat data:
Download Your Data via Snapchat
- Go to your Snapchat profile and tap the settings icon
- Select ‘My Data’ and choose ‘Submit Request’
- Enter your username and password when prompted
- Select the data types you want to download
- Tap ‘Submit’ and check your email for a download link
This will allow you to download a Zip file with your Snapchat data to retain any memories or information you want to keep.
Use a Third-Party Snapchat Saver App
You can also use a third-party app to save Snapchat photos, videos, stories and chat logs:
- SnapSave – Saves chat logs, stories, and memories
- SnapBox – Downloads stories and auto-saves chat snaps
- SnapCrack – Saves Snapchat photos, videos, stories and chats
After connecting these apps to your Snapchat account, you’ll be able to download any content you want to keep before deleting your account.
Can You Deactivate Your Snapchat Temporarily?
If you don’t want to permanently delete Snapchat but need a break, you also have the option to temporarily deactivate your account.
Here’s how Snapchat account deactivation works:
- Deactivating your account hides your profile and data
- Your username will not become available for others to take
- You can reactivate your account anytime by simply logging back in
- All your data including friends, photos, etc. will remain intact
- You can deactivate your account for up to 30 days at a time
Temporary deactivation may be the best solution if you just need a short break from Snapchat rather than permanent account deletion.
Pros of Deleting Snapchat
Permanently deleting your Snapchat account has some potential benefits:
- Take a break from social media – Remove temptation to check Snapchat constantly
- Improve productivity – No more wasting time on filters and stories
- Gain back privacy – Snapchat won’t have your photos and location data
- Remove ex connections – Erase ties with previous relationships
- Break Snapchat addiction – Curb compulsive Snapchat use and behaviors
For some users, deleting Snapchat may be a healthy way to establish better social media boundaries or habits.
Cons of Deleting Snapchat
There are also some downsides to be aware of with permanent Snapchat deletion:
- Lose your username – Your unique handle becomes available for anyone to take
- Disappear from friend networks – Friends won’t be able to find or contact you
- Miss out on events – It may be harder to get invited to group events
- Can’t access old memories – Photos, videos, and chats will be gone forever
- No going back – Permanent deletion can’t be undone if you change your mind
Consider if you’re willing to deal with these social effects before deciding to delete Snapchat.
Snapchat Account Deletion FAQs
Some frequently asked questions about permanently deleting Snapchat:
How long does it take to delete a Snapchat account?
It takes about 24 hours for Snapchat to process an account deletion request. You’ll get a confirmation email when your account is fully deleted.
Can I delete Snapchat without logging in?
No, you need to log into your Snapchat account before you can delete it. This ensures that only account owners can delete profiles.
Will my friends know if I delete Snapchat?
No, your friends will not be notified if you delete your Snapchat account. Your profile will simply disappear from their friend lists.
Can I temporarily disable Snapchat instead?
Yes, you can temporarily deactivate your account for up to 30 days rather than permanently deleting it.
Can I delete Snapchat on behalf of my child?
You’ll need your child’s username and password in order to delete their Snapchat account.
Conclusion
Deleting your Snapchat account permanently is a process that involves deactivating your account twice and then requesting deletion. Snapchat will erase all personal data associated with your account.
Consider downloading any memories you want to keep using Snapchat’s data download tool or a third-party app. Also weigh the pros and cons to determine if deleting Snapchat is the right choice for your situation.
While permanent Snapchat deletion is irreversible, it may be the right option if you need an extended break from the app or want greater control over your privacy. Use this guide to walk through the steps to delete your Snapchat account if you are ready to remove it from your life entirely.