There are a few reasons why you may be getting text messages that appear to be from Snapchat even if you don’t use the app or haven’t given Snapchat your phone number. Snapchat uses text messaging for some features, but sometimes these messages can be confusing if you don’t expect them. This article will go over the main reasons Snapchat might text you and what to do about unwanted messages.
You Signed Up for Snapchat Previously
One possibility is that you signed up for Snapchat in the past using your phone number, but then deleted the app. Snapchat keeps your account information even after the app is deleted, so it’s possible they still have your number on file associated with an old account. Some reasons Snapchat might text old accounts include:
Password Reset Requests
If someone is trying to get into your old Snapchat account, Snapchat may send a password reset link to your number. This could happen if you reused the Snapchat password on a different site that got hacked. Attackers try password dumps from data breaches on lots of major sites hoping to access accounts.
Two-Factor Authentication Codes
If your old Snapchat account has two-factor authentication enabled, the SMS text messages for verification codes will still be sent to your number when someone tries logging in. This means you could get login codes even if you didn’t request them.
Friend Suggestions
Your phone number might still be associated with your account even if it’s inactive. Snapchat may text you notifications about friend suggestions and activity if your settings allow for it.
Marketing Messages
Snapchat occasionally sends marketing text messages about new features to inactive accounts. You may get an invite to use Snapchat again or a prompt to reactivate your old account.
If you’re getting Snapchat texts for an account you no longer use, you can request Snapchat delete your account by submitting a deletion request form on their support site. This will disassociate your phone number from the account completely.
You Have a Similar Phone Number to a Snapchat User
It’s also possible the text messages are intended for someone else with a phone number similar to yours. If your number is only off by one or two digits, Snapchat’s system may accidentally send that user’s verification codes or alerts to you. Some ways similar numbers get mixed up include:
Recycled Phone Numbers
When someone deactivates a number, the phone carrier eventually recycles and reassigns that number to a new customer. If the previous owner of your number had a Snapchat account, their account information may still contain your number even though you are now the owner.
Typos Entering a Phone Number
A Snapchat user may have accidentally entered your number wrong by mistyping one digit when adding their phone to their account. This binds your number to their account until they correct it.
Number Similarity in Snapchat’s System
Snapchat’s system may have automatically associated your number with someone else’s account because of similarities in the digits, especially if you both have the same area code and exchange code. Their automated messaging system doesn’t catch the mistake of the last few differing digits.
If someone else’s Snapchat account is likely the problem, you can try to remove your number if you know whose account it is. Reach out and ask them to delete your number from their Snapchat account’s settings. If you don’t know whose account it is, you can contact Snapchat support to see if they can find and correct the issue.
You’re in a Snapchat Group Chat
Being added to a Snapchat group chat causes all messages from the group to be sent as individual texts to your phone number from Snapchat’s system. Even if you aren’t a Snapchat user, anyone in a group chat who has your number saved in their phone contacts can add you to their Snapchat group. Some reasons this may happen include:
Added by Accident
A Snapchat user who has your contact info may have added you to a group by mistake when selecting contacts to include in a group chat.
Wrong Number
Your number may have been entered incorrectly when a Snapchat user meant to add someone else, like if your number is one digit off from the intended person’s.
Old Contacts
You may have given your number to someone in the past who later added you to a Snapchat group without realizing you don’t use Snapchat.
Spam/Harassment
In rarer cases, internet trolls or spammers may intentionally add random numbers or recycled numbers to Snapchat groups in order to send unwanted messages.
If you’ve been added to a Snapchat group chat, you can ask the Snapchat user who controls the group to remove you from the conversation. This will stop the messages being relayed to your phone. If you don’t know who added you, Snapchat support can help investigate where the messages are coming from and remove your number.
You Have Snapchat Connected to Another App
Snapchat allows linking your Snapchat account to some other apps and services for enhanced features between them. In some cases, these linked services can then send SMS text messages from Snapchat without needing the Snapchat app installed. Some examples include:
Snapchat Kit Integration
Apps that integrate Snapchat Kit can directly access Snapchat capabilities and tie your Snapchat account to that app. You may be able to send Snapchats through the app or use Snapchat login. These apps can send authentication SMS without the main Snapchat app.
Bitmoji Keyboard
If you have the Bitmoji keyboard linked to your Snapchat, it can send you SMS messages with verification codes or account alerts since they are tied together.
Snapchat Ads Platform
If you opt-in to receive ads from Snapchat advertisers, the Snapchat ad platform can send you SMS messages from Snapchat’s system about deals, coupons, etc.
Games Connected to Snapchat
Some mobile games now offer the ability to sign in or share via connected Snapchat accounts. Similar to other linked apps, these games can initiate Snapchat text verifications.
If Snapchat is linked to an app you use, but you don’t use Snapchat itself, you can remove the integration in the app’s settings if you no longer want Snapchat-related texts. Alternatively, you can unlink the apps by removing Snapchat connections in your account settings on the Snapchat website.
Snapchat Verification Codes Sent in Error
It’s also possible for Snapchat’s system to send verification codes completely unintended for your number by mistake. Some potential reasons include:
Technical Errors
Bugs in Snapchat’s messaging system may cause random phone numbers to receive SMS messages by accident that were meant for specific Snapchat accounts.
Account Hacks
If a Snapchat account gets hacked, the hacker may change the phone number on file to your number when attempting to gain access. This triggers Snapchat to send verification codes to you instead of the account owner.
Reassigned Internal ID Numbers
Snapchat associates phone numbers with internal IDs in their systems that are recycled. A coding issue may re-pair your number with an old ID still tied to another user’s account.
Timing Issues
Lag time in deactivating an old phone number or linking a new one to an account can result in two numbers receiving verification texts temporarily.
If Snapchat is sending your number codes without an explainable reason, contact their support team to investigate the source of the issue on their end. They can check if your number is erroneously tied to an account and remove it.
What to Do About Unwanted Snapchat Texts
If you want to stop getting text messages from Snapchat, here are some steps you can take:
Ask Snapchat Support to Remove Your Number
The main solution is to directly contact Snapchat support and ask them to fully delete your phone number from their system if it’s incorrectly tied to an account. Their team can dissociate your number and stop future messages.
Block the Snapchat SMS Sender
On most phones, you can block a specific phone number to prevent future texts. Snapchat’s SMS number is +1 (833) 422-0946. You may need to unblock messages temporarily whenever verifying deletion.
Use a Spam Call/Text Blocking App
Install a call and text blocking app like Truecaller that allows blacklisting specific numbers flagged as spam. Add the Snapchat SMS sender to stop texts.
Change Your Phone Number
If your number is hopelessly tied to someone else’s Snapchat or irreversibly prone to incorrect texts, changing your number completely will give you a fresh start.
Turn Off Notifications for Unknown Senders
Phones allow disabling notifications from senders not in your contacts list. Turn this on to keep getting Snapchat texts silently without being bothered.
Conclusion
Snapchatusing your phone number to send verification messages can be confusing and annoying if you don’t use Snapchat yourself. However, there are valid reasons why Snapchat might associate your number with an account, such as having signed up previously, getting added to a group, or your number being similar to someone else’s. By understanding the various causes and contacting Snapchat support for removal, you can resolve the issue of unexpected texts from Snapchat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Snapchat texting me if I never signed up?
Snapchat may have your number by mistake instead of the intended user’s very similar number. You can ask Snapchat support to remove the association.
Can I stop Snapchat from texting me without an account?
Yes, you can block the SMS sender number or contact Snapchat to delete your phone number if it’s incorrectly tied to an account.
What do I do if I deleted Snapchat and still get texts?
Your old account may still be active with your number. Request Snapchat delete your account entirely to remove your phone association.
Why do I get Snapchat texts for someone else’s account?
Either your number is nearly identical or their account was hacked and had the phone number changed. Reach out to the user or Snapchat to fix the incorrect linkage.
How can Snapchat text me if I never gave them my number?
Someone else with your contact info may have added you to a group chat or linked app using Snapchat. Contact them or Snapchat to remove your number.
Reason | Cause | Solution |
---|---|---|
Old Snapchat account | Still have your number saved | Request account and number deletion |
Similar phone number | Off by 1 digit or recycled | Remove number from their account |
Added to a group chat | In someone’s contacts | Have them remove you from group |
Linked another app | Connected Snapchat account | Unlink the accounts |
Random error | Bug or hack | Ask Snapchat to investigate |
How to Stop Snapchat Text Messages
If you want to stop getting unwanted texts from Snapchat, here are some recommendations:
Block the Snapchat SMS Number
On iPhone or Android, add +1 (833) 422-0946 to your blocked numbers list. This prevents notifications from Snapchat’s system.
Contact Snapchat Support
Reaching out to Snapchat’s help team is the best way to remove your number if it’s erroneously tied to an account. This fully resolves the issue.
Turn Off Notifications
Phones allow you to disable notifications from numbers not in your contacts. Turn this on to keep getting Snapchat texts silently.
Use a Spam Text Blocking App
Download a spam call and text blocker app like Truecaller and blacklist the Snapchat number to block texts.
Change Your Phone Number
Getting an entirely new phone number gives you a clean slate if your current one can’t be detached from Snapchat.
Ask to Be Removed from Group Chats
If added to a Snapchat group, request that user delete you from the conversation to stop relayed texts.
Unwanted texts from Snapchat can be frustrating, but this guide gives you several ways to resolve the issue based on why Snapchat has associated your number. Being proactive saves you the annoyance going forward.
Texting FAQs
Why am I getting texts from email addresses?
Texts from email addresses are usually sent by services that allow sending SMS via email. Common sources are online accounts like Google Voice or sms gateways used by businesses.
Can I stop text notifications while keeping texts?
Yes, on both iPhone and Android you can disable notifications and sounds for new texts while keeping messaging enabled and still receiving texts silently.
What happens when I block a number on iPhone?
On iPhones, blocking a number stops all calls and texts from coming through. The blocked messages are not received at all anymore once blocked.
Why are unknown senders texting me?
If you get texts from numbers not in your contacts, it could be spam texts, wrong number texts, or texts from businesses or services that don’t identify themselves upfront over SMS.
How do I hide text message previews?
On an iPhone you can hide message previews by going to Settings > Notifications > Messages and turning off Show Preview. For Android, turn off message previews in the individual messaging app settings.
Key Takeaways
– Snapchat may text you if you previously had an account, have a similar number to another user, were added to a group chat, connected another app to Snapchat, or randomly in error.
– To stop Snapchat texts, try blocking the sender number, contacting Snapchat support for removal, turning off notifications, using a blocking app, changing your number, or unlinking connected apps.
– Understanding why Snapchat has your number is the first step to getting unwanted texts to stop.
– Snapchat texts unrelated to your own account use typically indicate another user’s account incorrectly has your number associated with it.
– Snapchat makes it difficult to fully delete your number from their system once it’s been tied to any account, even inactive ones.