Snapchat is a popular social media app that lets users send photos, videos, and messages that disappear after being viewed.
One of Snapchat’s key features is that the content you send is not permanent and is deleted after a set period of time.
The Basics of Snapchat
When you send a photo or video on Snapchat, it is uploaded to Snapchat’s servers. The recipient can view the snap for up to 10 seconds, after which it disappears from the app. The snap is not saved by default on the recipient’s device.
This ephemeral nature of Snapchat content is what makes the platform fun and low-pressure. You don’t have to worry about embarrassing photos or videos staying online forever. The disappearing snaps create a casual, in-the-moment experience.
How Long Do Snaps Stay on Snapchat?
Snaps will disappear from Snapchat’s servers after they have been opened by the recipient or after 24 hours if they have not been opened:
- Snaps with text, photos, videos, doodles etc. last up to 10 seconds if opened.
- Stories posted to your Story last 24 hours.
- Memories can stay as long as you keep them.
So a snap sent directly to a friend will disappear after being viewed for up to 10 seconds. If your friend doesn’t open the snap for 24 hours, it will disappear from the app.
Stories, however, always last 24 hours regardless of who views them. Your story snaps remain visible for 24 hours after you post them.
Do Snapchat Photos Disappear Forever?
Yes, opened snaps are deleted permanently from Snapchat’s servers after the viewing time limit. But there are a couple of caveats to be aware of:
- Recipients can screenshot or record your snaps before they disappear without you being notified.
- On iOS, recipients can also save snaps to their camera roll if they have that setting turned on.
So while open snaps do disappear forever from Snapchat itself, recipients have ways of saving snaps outside the app if they are quick enough.
Ways Recipients Can Save Your Snaps
Although Snapchat advertises disappearing content, there are ways for recipients to save or record your snaps:
Screenshots
The easiest way is to simply take a screenshot of the snap before time runs out. Snapchat will not notify you if someone takes a screenshot of your snap.
iOS Camera Roll
On iOS devices, users can save snaps to their camera roll. This setting is turned off by default but can be enabled in the app’s settings.
Third-Party Apps
There are third party apps that can covertly record Snaps before they disappear. These include apps like Snapbox, Snapsave, and more.
Rooted or Jailbroken Devices
On rooted or jailbroken devices, users can access and save Snapchat files using file explorer apps.
So while Snapchat itself erases snaps after they are viewed, crafty recipients have some options to preserve your snaps without your knowledge.
When Do Snapchat Pictures Disappear?
Here is a summary of when different types of snaps will disappear from Snapchat:
| Snap Type | Disappears After |
|---|---|
| One-to-one photo/video snap | Opened for up to 10 seconds |
| One-to-one unopened snap | 24 hours |
| Story | 24 hours |
| Memories | Saved until deleted |
So snaps sent directly to friends disappear after they are viewed for up to 10 seconds. Stories always remain for 24 hours. And Memories stay saved until you delete them.
Does Snapchat Notify You if Someone Takes a Screenshot?
No, Snapchat does not send a notification if someone takes a screenshot of your snap. This allows people to screenshot your snaps without your knowledge.
Does Deleting a Snapchat Message Delete it For Everyone?
Deleting a snap from your Snapchat deletes it only from your end. If someone already opened the snap, deleting it does not delete it from their device or undo their view.
So if you accidentally send an embarrassing snap, deleting it quickly might prevent the recipient from seeing it. But if they already opened it, deleting it will not undo their view.
Can You Recover Deleted Snapchat Messages?
Unfortunately, there is no way to recover deleted snaps on Snapchat. Once a snap is deleted, it is gone forever from Snapchat’s servers.
Your only hope is if the recipient saved the snap outside of Snapchat before you deleted it. But Snapchat itself provides no way to retrieve deleted snaps.
How Long Do Snapchat Messages Stay on Servers?
Snapchat permanently deletes each snap from their servers once it has been opened or after 24 hours if left unopened. There is no database of expired snaps.
However, Snapchat does keep metadata like date, usernames, and timestamps for 90 days. But they cannot retrieve the content of deleted snaps after they have expired.
Ways to Recover Deleted Snapchat Photos
While Snapchat itself cannot recover deleted snaps, there are some last resort methods you could try:
- Ask the recipient if they took a screenshot or saved it before you deleted it.
- Use data recovery software to scan your device for Snapchat files.
- Hire a forensic data specialist to try to extract deleted files from your device.
But these options are not guaranteed to work and can get very expensive. Unfortunately once a snap is viewed and deleted, it is likely gone for good.
Does Snapchat Auto-Delete Inactive Accounts?
Yes, Snapchat will automatically delete accounts that have been inactive for a prolonged period:
- Accounts with no activity for 12 months may be deleted
- 30 days prior warning given before deletion
- Logged in at least once in the last 24 months to avoid deletion
So if you don’t use your Snapchat for over a year, you may lose your account and all of its data. Be sure to login periodically to keep your account active.
Conclusion
Snapchat’s defining feature is the ephemerality of photos, videos, and messages on the platform. Snaps directly sent to friends disappear after being viewed for up to 10 seconds.
Stories expire after 24 hours, and Memories stick around until manually deleted.
While the content disappears from Snapchat itself, crafty users have some ways to save snaps without the sender knowing, like screenshots. Once a snap expires or is deleted, it cannot be recovered via Snapchat. So think twice before sending any snaps you might regret later!