Snapchat is a popular social media platform that allows users to share photos, videos, and messages that disappear after being viewed. One feature of Snapchat is the ability to “lock” or temporarily disable an account for violating Snapchat’s terms of service or community guidelines.
Why Snapchat Locks Accounts
There are several reasons why Snapchat may decide to lock someone’s account, including:
- Spam or abusive content – Posting offensive, harmful, or unwanted content can lead to an account lock.
- Impersonation – Pretending to be someone else breaks Snapchat’s rules.
- Underage usage – Snapchat requires users to be at least 13 years old.
- Illegal activities – Using Snapchat for unlawful conduct like selling drugs or threatening others can prompt an account lock.
- Third-party apps – Using third-party apps that claim to boost Snapchat capabilities often results in locked accounts.
Snapchat wants to maintain a safe community, so any user seen violating their guidelines may have their access temporarily revoked. The length of time an account is locked depends on the severity and specifics of the violation.
Account Lock Duration
For minor first-time offenses, Snapchat may lock an account for anywhere from 1 hour up to 24 hours. More serious or repeat violations can lead to longer locks from 1 to 7 days, one week to one month, and in extreme cases, a permanent disablement.
According to Snapchat’s terms, the company reserves the right to lock accounts “for any reason or no reason.” Some common lock durations include:
Violation | Typical Lock Duration |
---|---|
Spam | 12-24 hours |
Abusive content | 1-7 days |
Impersonation | 1 week – 1 month |
Underage user | Until age 13+ |
Illegal activities | Permanent |
However, the specific lock duration is up to Snapchat’s discretion based on their review of the violation. There are no hard and fast rules about how long an account lock lasts.
Getting Unlocked
To get an account unlocked, you will usually have to wait out the duration determined by Snapchat. There is no option to immediately unlock an account once it has been locked.
You may receive an email from Snapchat’s Trust & Safety team informing you of the reason for the lock and the expected unlock date. Depending on the offense, you may also need to submit an appeal providing context around the violation before your account is reactivated.
Submitting an Appeal
If your account has been locked and you want to request an early unlock, you can submit an appeal to Snapchat:
- Go to Snapchat’s support page and search for “unlock account.”
- Click the article titled “Unlock a Locked Account.”
- Scroll down and click the “Submit an Appeal” button.
- Enter your Snapchat username and the email address associated with your account.
- Explain why you believe your account was locked in error.
- Click “Send Appeal.”
Snapchat reviews appeal requests and determines whether to overturn a lock based on the circumstances. Submitting an appeal is not a guarantee your account will be unlocked early.
Creating a New Account
While your main account is locked, you will not be able to access or use Snapchat. Attempting to create a new Snapchat account to avoid the lock will also not work.
Snapchat’s system can detect when a locked-out user tries opening a new account, and any new accounts will immediately be locked as well. You must wait out the duration of the original lock before you can resume using Snapchat.
Avoiding Account Locks
To prevent your Snapchat account from getting locked in the future, be sure to follow Snapchat’s Community Guidelines:
- Do not spam others with unsolicited snaps, chats, or friend requests.
- Do not post any nudity or sexually explicit content.
- Do not bully, threaten, or harass other users.
- Do not post content relating to or promoting illegal drugs or activities.
- Do not share content that violates someone else’s intellectual property.
- Do not use third-party apps or services that claim to boost your Snapchat experience.
Reading Snapchat’s Community Guidelines fully can help you understand what content is and is not allowed. Following the rules will help keep your account in good standing.
Conclusion
Snapchat account locks can last anywhere from an hour up to permanently, depending on the severity of the violation. Minor first-time offenses tend to have shorter lock durations of 24 hours or less. More serious or repeat violations can lead to locks of a week or longer, up to permanent disablement. While locked, you will have to wait out the duration determined by Snapchat and will not be able to access your account or open a new one. Avoiding violations of Snapchat’s terms and Community Guidelines is the best way to keep your account active and accessible.