Snapchat is a popular social media app that allows users to share photos, videos, and messages that disappear after being viewed. However, Snapchat introduced a feature called Memories in 2015 that allows users to save their Snapchat stories and photos permanently on the app.
The Memories feature works like the camera roll on your phone. It stores all your uploaded snaps, stories, and photos so you can access them later. You can also edit and re-upload snaps stored in Memories.
But what happens when you permanently delete a photo or video from Snapchat Memories? Is it possible to get it back?
Can you recover permanently deleted Snapchat Memories?
Unfortunately, if you permanently delete a photo or video from Snapchat Memories, there is no built-in way to recover it. Snapchat does not have a ‘recently deleted’ folder like the photos app on iPhone.
When you delete a snap from Memories, it is meant to be gone forever. Snapchat states in their terms of service that they cannot recover snaps after they are deleted.
However, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to get your deleted Snapchat Memories back. With the right third-party software and some luck, you may be able to recover deleted Snapchat photos.
How Snapchat deletes photos from Memories
To understand how to recover deleted Snapchat Memories, it helps to know how Snapchat deletes photos in the first place.
When you delete a photo or video from Memories, Snapchat removes access to that file from their servers. However, that doesn’t mean the file is instantly wiped from existence.
Like most modern deletion processes, deleting data on Snapchat simply removes the pathways to access that data. The actual 1s and 0s that comprise the photo or video may still exist on Snapchat’s servers after deletion.
This window between deletion and actual data wiping is the key to recovering deleted Snapchat Memories. Although Snapchat cannot help you access deleted snaps, the data may still be intact if you can act quickly enough.
How to recover permanently deleted Snapchat Memories
Here are a few methods you can try to recover deleted Snapchat Memories:
1. Use data recovery software
If you act quickly, third-party data recovery software may be able to scan Snapchat’s servers and find copies of deleted snaps that have not been fully wiped yet.
Data recovery software works by scanning entire storage drives for files matching the signatures of common image, video, and document types. Even if the original pathway to a file is broken, the 1s and 0s that comprise a JPG photo will still be detectable.
Some data recovery programs like EaseUS and FoneLab claim to be able to scan Snapchat servers and recover deleted Memories. However, success is not guaranteed.
2. Try Snapchat’s My Data download
Snapchat allows you to download all of your Snapchat data through a tool called My Data. This includes your Memories, even those that have been deleted.
To use My Data:
- Go to your Snapchat Profile
- Tap the My Data button
- Enter your password and tap Submit Request
Snapchat will compile all your data including deleted Memories and email you a download link when it’s ready, usually within 24-48 hours.
However, Snapchat notes deleted Memories may not be included in the My Data download. So this method is hit or miss.
3. Try finding backups on your phone
If you had Snapchat’s auto-download feature turned on, some of your deleted Memories may have been saved to your phone’s storage.
Check the folders below for Snapchat photos and videos:
- On iPhone: Photos > Snapchat
- On Android: Snapchat > Memories
Snapchat Memories also could have been saved in your phone’s local storage if you took screenshots or screen recordings within the Snapchat app.
4. See if your memories synced with iCloud or Google Photos
If you have iCloud photo syncing enabled on your iPhone, there’s a chance your deleted Snapchat Memories were backed up to iCloud.
On iPhone, open the Photos app, tap Albums and see if there is a Snapchat album.
Similarly, Android users may have backups in Google Photos if they had syncing enabled. Open the Google Photos app and search for Snapchat.
5. Check if your phone was backed up
Your deleted Snapchat Memories may have been saved if your phone was backed up to a computer or cloud storage service like iCloud or Google Drive.
Restore your phone from the backup and check if the deleted Snapchat Memories are intact in the backup.
This method works best for very recent backups before the Snapchat Memories were deleted.
Tips for recovering deleted Snapchat Memories
To improve your chances of recovering deleted Snapchat Memories, keep these tips in mind:
- Act quickly – your chance of recovery decreases over time as deleted files may be fully wiped from Snapchat’s servers.
- Avoid continuing to use Snapchat – new data could overwrite your deleted Memories.
- Use reputable data recovery apps – shady software could damage your data further.
- Check all possible backups – you never know where a deleted file may have been saved.
- Stay persistent – you may need to try multiple recovery methods before finding your lost Snapchats.
How to avoid deleting Snapchat Memories permanently
To avoid needing to recover deleted Snapchat Memories, it’s smart to enable some features that can automatically back up your snaps:
- Save to Memories – Manually save snaps you want to keep for good in Memories.
- Sync to iCloud/Google Photos – Turn on auto-sync so your Memories are copied to the cloud.
- Enable Download – Let Snapchat auto-save Memories to your phone’s storage.
- Regular Backups – Back up your phone to your computer so your Memories are stored offline.
You should also be careful about what you delete in the first place. Tap and hold on a Memory before deletion to make sure it’s what you want to get rid of permanently.
Recover Snapchat Memories with professional data recovery services
If the DIY recovery methods don’t work, you may need to turn to professional Snapchat data recovery services like DriveSavers or Ontrack.
Professional Snapchat recovery works by directly accessing and scanning Snapchat’s cloud servers where your deleted Memories may still exist intact.
Here’s how professional Snapchat data recovery works:
- You ship your device to the data recovery service.
- They gain access to your Snapchat account and servers.
- Experts scan for deleted Snapchat files using proprietary tools.
- Any recovered Memories are copied to a new drive.
- Your device and drive with the recovered Memories are shipped back.
Professional Snapchat recovery has much higher success rates than DIY methods. However, it can cost several hundred dollars or more.
| Data Recovery Service | Starting Price |
|---|---|
| DriveSavers | $500-600 |
| Ontrack | $299 |
Before pursuing professional Snapchat recovery, confirm a service can work with the current Snapchat platform and app version. Also, be sure you need the deleted Snapchats enough to justify the high cost.
Conclusion
While Snapchat does not have a built-in way to recover deleted Memories, it is possible to get your snaps back using data recovery software, backups, and professional services.
Act quickly before Snapchat wipes your deleted Memories for good. Enable backups like iCloud and Google Photos to automatically save copies of your Snapchats.
With some effort, you can find a way to recover those regrettable deleted Snaps. Just don’t count on Snapchat’s help – once a Memory is gone from their app, it’s meant to be gone for good.