Snapchat is a popular social media app that allows users to send photo and video messages that disappear after being viewed. One of Snapchat’s key features is that the content is meant to be ephemeral – once a Snap is viewed, it’s gone forever.
However, there are a few ways that Snapchat pictures can be saved, either intentionally by the sender or accidentally. Here’s an overview of where Snapchat pictures get stored and how you can save Snapshots if you want to keep them.
Saving Received Snapchat Pictures
If you receive a Snapchat picture that you want to save, there are a couple of methods you can use:
Using a Screenshot
The easiest way to save a Snapchat picture is to simply take a screenshot. Here’s how:
- Open the Snapchat app and view the Snap you want to save
- While viewing the Snap, press and hold the Power and Volume Down buttons on an Android device or press and hold the Home and Power buttons on an iPhone
- This will capture a screenshot of the Snap and save it to your photos gallery
One thing to keep in mind is that Snapchat alerts the sender when you take a screenshot of their Snap. So the person who sent it will know that you saved their Snap without their permission.
Using Third-Party Apps
There are also some third-party apps you can use to save Snapchat pictures discreetly:
- AZ Screen Recorder (Android only) – This app can record your device’s screen, allowing you to capture and save Snapchat videos.
- Snapchat Saver Apps – Apps like SnapSave and SaveMySnaps allow you to save photos and videos without the sender being notified.
However, be aware that these third-party apps violate Snapchat’s terms of service. Snapchat doesn’t authorize or endorse these types of apps.
Saving Sent Snapchat Pictures
If you’re the sender of a Snapchat picture, there are a couple of ways you can save the Snap before you send it:
Using Replay
Snapchat’s Replay feature allows you to view a Snap again for up to 24 hours after you first view it. To use Replay:
- After sending a Snap, tap the Replay icon that appears
- This lets you view the Snap again before it expires
- View and screenshot the Snap to save it before the Replay expires
You only get one Replay per day, so use it wisely!
Saving Before Sending
You can also save a Snap before you send it out using a few different methods:
- Memories – Tap the Memories icon in the app to save your Snaps, which are stored indefinitely.
- Pre-save – On Android, you can pre-save by pressing and holding on the Snap before sending it.
- Snapchat folder – On iOS, your Snapchat camera roll automatically saves Snaps until you send them.
Where Exactly Does Snapchat Store Pictures?
Now that we’ve covered the main ways Snapchat photos can be saved, you may be wondering – where exactly does Snapchat store pictures and videos?
Snapchat stores all data on its own servers. Nothing is stored directly on a user’s device. Here’s a more in-depth look:
Snapchat Servers
Everything that is shared on Snapchat – Snaps, Chats, Stories, etc. – is stored on Snapchat’s servers. This includes:
- User content like Snaps, Charms, and videos
- Metadata like geotags and captions
- Usage data like contacts and behavioral analytics
Snapchat servers are spread globally across multiple data centers. But nothing is stored on individual devices.
Memories Storage
Memories is Snapchat’s cloud storage area specifically for saving your own Snaps and Stories. When you save a Snap to Memories, it is stored separately from the main Snapchat server.
Memories has unlimited storage capacity. Snapchats saved here remain available until the user deletes them.
Temporarily Cached Data
Snapchat temporarily caches some data on devices while using the app. This includes things like the user’s profile, friends list, and pre-loaded Snaps.
But this cached data is deleted immediately when you close the app or wipe the Snapchat app data. It does not permanently save.
Backups of Snapchat Photos
Now that we know Snapchat stores photos on its own remote servers, what about backups?
There are a couple of ways Snapchat photos can be backed up:
iCloud Backups
For iOS users, your Snapchat data can be included in an iCloud backup:
- The iCloud backup includes the local Snapchat cache and settings.
- It does NOT include your actual Snaps, as those exist only on Snapchat’s servers.
So iOS backups only contain Snapchat metadata, not the real Snap images/videos.
Google Drive Backups
For Android users, your Snapchat data can be backed up if you have Google Drive backup enabled:
- The Google Drive backup includes cached Snapchat files and settings.
- As with iCloud, it does not include your actual Snaps or Stories.
Android backups only contain basic Snapchat data but not your actual Snaps.
Backing Up Memories
The only way to truly backup your Snapchat Memories is to manually export it:
- On iOS, tap Memories > Export > Save to Camera Roll to export Memories to your local photos.
- On Android, tap Memories > Stories > Export > Save to download your Memories.
This exports Snaps from Memories so you can store them locally or transfer them offline.
Third-Party Backups
Some third-party apps claim to backup your Snapchat data. However, this is not possible without violating Snapchat’s terms of service.
Snapchat does not authorize any third-party services to integrate with their API or backend storage. So there are no legitimate third-party Snapchat backup services available.
When Are Snapchat Photos Deleted?
Now that we’ve covered where Snapchat stores your photos and how backups work, let’s talk about when Snapchat deletes pictures.
There are a few scenarios where Snapchat deletes photos:
After the Timer Expires
The main way Snapchat deletes photos is when the timer expires:
- By default, Snaps disappear after 1-10 seconds of being viewed by the recipient.
- Stories expire after 24 hours by default.
- Once the timer runs out, Snapchat automatically deletes the photo/video from their servers.
This immediate deletion is why Snapchat is considered a temporary, self-destructing messaging app.
Unopened Snaps
If a Snap is sent but never viewed by the recipient, Snapchat deletes it after 30 days.
Clearing Conversations
If you clear a conversation in Snapchat, it deletes Snaps from that conversation on Snapchat’s servers.
Deleting Memories
Deleting a Snap that was saved to Memories removes it permanently from Snapchat’s servers.
So those are the main scenarios where Snapchat deletes photos – either via expiring timers or manual deletion by users.
Can Deleted Snapchat Photos Be Recovered?
Once Snapchat erases a photo or video from their servers, is it possible to get it back?
Unfortunately, there is no way to recover deleted Snapchat photos if:
- You did not save the Snapchat before it expired.
- The Snap was never backed up via Memories, iCloud or Google Drive.
If a Snap is gone, it’s likely gone permanently unless you saved it manually.
However, there is one potential way a “deleted” Snap could resurface…
Recipient Took a Screenshot
If the recipient took a screenshot of your Snapchat before it disappeared, then they have essentially “recovered” that photo.
There have been instances of private Snaps resurfacing due to the recipient taking a screenshot.
So that’s one risk to keep in mind when using Snapchat – even though the app deletes photos, someone could screenshot your Snaps without your knowledge.
Conclusion
Snapchat’s defining feature is making photos disappear forever after being viewed. However, there are still various ways Snapchat pictures can be saved, whether intentionally or unintentionally.
Common methods for saving Snapchats include using the Replay feature, taking screenshots, and saving to Memories. However, once a Snap expires or is deleted, it’s likely gone for good unless the recipient screenshotted it.
Overall, nothing is 100% temporary or private on the internet. So it’s important to keep in mind that any embarrassing or risky photos shared via Snapchat could come back to haunt you!
Where Snapchats get saved | Details |
---|---|
Snapchat Memories | Lets you manually save your own Snaps. Stored indefinitely. |
Snapchat Servers | Hosts all Snaps until they are viewed or expire based on timer. |
Recipient’s Screenshots | Recipient can screenshot your Snap before it disappears without your knowledge. |
iCloud Backups (iOS only) | Backs up Snapchat metadata and settings locally, but not actual Snaps. |
Google Drive Backups (Android only) | Backs up Snapchat metadata and settings, but not actual Snaps. |
In summary, saving Snapchats comes down to either manually saving before they expire, taking screenshots, or leveraging the app’s cloud backup capabilities. But restoring deleted Snaps is nearly impossible unless the recipient screenshotted it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Snapchat save your photos?
Snapchat itself does not save your photos. Snaps are automatically deleted from Snapchat’s servers after the timer expires. The only way to “save” photos on Snapchat is to save them manually to Memories before sending the Snap or screenshot the Snap using your phone’s screenshot function.
Can you recover deleted Snapchat photos?
Unfortunately, no. There is no way to recover deleted Snapchat photos after they have disappeared or the Snap timer has expired, unless you saved the photo manually or had taken a screenshot.
Do deleted Snapchats stay on the server?
No, Snapchat removes photos from their servers immediately after the Snap expires or is deleted by a user. The company states that deleting data is an irreversible process that cannot be undone.
Does Snapchat automatically save pictures?
No. Snapchat does not automatically save any Snaps, except to the ephemeral backend servers to facilitate messaging between users. The auto-delete feature is core to Snapchat’s functionality, so no long-term saving happens unless you opt to save to Memories.
Do screenshots save Snapchats forever?
Yes, screenshots provide a permanent record of a Snapchat image, even after it has been deleted from Snapchat’s servers. So recipients can technically “save” a Snap forever by taking a screenshot before it disappears.
Can police recover deleted Snapchats?
No. Law enforcement does not have access to retrieve deleted Snapchat photos. The company cannot provide data that no longer exists on their servers. However, police can subpoena Snapchat to obtain available data in certain investigations.
In Conclusion
Snapchat revolutionized ephemeral sharing and messaging. But the data and images users share is not as temporary as many think. There are various workarounds that allow saving Snapchat pictures before they disappear.
While manually saving is possible, recovering expired or deleted Snaps is virtually impossible without screenshots capturing the images first. Overall, nothing shared online is ever truly gone – so think carefully before Snapping!