Snapchat is known for its disappearing messages that are meant to provide a more private and ephemeral messaging experience. However, sometimes messages don’t seem to disappear as expected, leaving users wondering why. There are a few main reasons why some chats may not be disappearing on Snapchat.
You or the Recipient Took a Screenshot
The most common reason Snapchat messages don’t disappear is because either you or the recipient took a screenshot. Snapchat notifies users when the other person takes a screenshot of chat. However, it’s easy to miss the notification or forget about taking a screenshot yourself. Screenshots save the message outside of Snapchat, preventing it from disappearing as usual.
The Message Was Saved in Chat
Snapchat introduced the “Chat” section in 2018, which allows users to save messages indefinitely or for 24 hours. If either person in the chat saves a message in Chat, it will remain visible until it’s deleted from Chat. The default is for messages to save for 24 hours, so they will disappear after a day unless the user manually saves them for longer.
You Have a Pending Message Request
If you have a pending message request from someone, your chats with that person will not disappear as expected. This is because Snapchat requires users to accept message requests before normal message expiration rules apply. So if you have an unopened request, your chat history remains visible until you accept the request.
The Person Hasn’t Opened the Chat Yet
On your end, messages will disappear as soon as you view them. However, on the recipient’s end, the messages will remain visible until they open the chat. So if you sent a message but the other person hasn’t opened it yet, the message will still be present on their end. This prevents messages from disappearing before the recipient even gets a chance to view them.
You Are Using Reply By Holding To View a Chat
Snapchat has a “Reply by holding to view” feature that lets you view and reply to messages without marking them as read. When using this, messages will not disappear because they are not technically viewed. So chats replied to with this feature will stick around until you fully open the chat.
The Person You Messaged Has You Saved as a Best Friend
Snapchat extends the expiration time for messages between “Best Friends.” If someone has you marked as their #1 Best Friend, your messages to each other will last a bit longer before disappearing. How much longer depends on your usage and can be up to a month or more.
You Are Using the Web Version of Snapchat
The web browser version of Snapchat does not have full message expiration functionality. Messages sent or received on the Snapchat web app won’t disappear, even after being viewed. So if either user in a chat uses Snapchat on the web, the messages will remain visible.
It’s a Group Chat
Group chats work slightly differently than one-on-one messages. The expiration timer does not begin until all recipients have viewed the message. So in group chats, messages will stick around until everyone has opened the message.
You Have a Poor Internet Connection
Since message expiration relies on internet connectivity, an unstable or poor connection can interfere with the process. If you have a weak WiFi or mobile data signal, messages may fail to disappear as quickly as they should.
The Message Has an Attachment
Messages with photo, video, or GIF attachments tend to take longer to disappear than simple text snaps. Media attachments extend the expiration timer, causing those messages to linger for longer before automatically deleting.
It’s an Old Chat from Memories
If you restore a chat from Memories, the expiration timer resets. So restored chats don’t follow the usual message duration and stay visible until you delete them again.
You Are Using an Older Version of Snapchat
Snapchat has refined its disappearing messages feature over time. In older versions of the app, messages did not disappear as reliably as they do now. So if you or the recipient is using a very outdated version of Snapchat, messages may not be deleting as expected.
There’s a Bug or Glitch in the App
Like any app, Snapchat isn’t perfect. Occasional bugs or glitches in the software can sometimes disrupt message expiration. If messages aren’t disappearing reliably, try force quitting and restarting the app to reset things.
You Have Background App Refresh Turned Off
Snapchat needs to refresh in the background to implement message expiration. If you have disabled background app refresh, it can’t perform cleanup tasks like deleting old messages properly.
You Are Using Snapchat on Multiple Devices
When logged into Snapchat across multiple devices, it can confuse message expiration, especially if you aren’t viewing chats from all devices. Each device needs to open and view messages for optimal deletion.
Conclusion
While Snapchat’s disappearing messages usually work as designed, there are some common reasons chats may fail to delete. Being aware of how screenshots, chat saving, device usage, connectivity, and app issues impact message expiration can help you troubleshoot when your Snapchats overstay their welcome.
Reason | Explanation |
---|---|
Screenshot | Taking a screenshot saves the message outside Snapchat |
Saved in Chat | Saving a message in Chat preserves it |
Unopened Message Request | Pending requests pause expiration rules |
Recipient Hasn’t Opened | Messages stay until opened by recipient |
Replying Without Opening | “Reply by holding” doesn’t count as viewed |
You’re a Best Friend | Best Friends have extended expiration |
Using Web Version | Web app doesn’t delete messages |
Group Chat | Expires after opened by all recipients |
Poor Connection | Unstable connections disrupt expiration |
Attachments | Media extends the timer |
Restored Chat | Timers reset on restored chats |
Old App Version | Earlier versions had worse expiration |
Bugs | Glitches can disrupt message deletion |
Background Refresh Off | Needs to run in background to work properly |
Multiple Devices | Can confuse expiration if not synced up |
Avoiding Lingering Chats
To help your Snapchats disappear on time, here are some best practices:
- Don’t take screenshots
- Limit use of Chat feature
- Open message requests promptly
- View chats from all devices
- Only reply when fully opening chat
- Leave group chats once done
- Ensure you have a strong internet connection
- Limit attachments
- Don’t restore old chats
- Keep the Snapchat app updated
- Force quit and relaunch if issues persist
- Keep background refresh enabled
- Avoid logging in on multiple devices
What To Do If Messages Aren’t Disappearing
If you notice your messages consistently aren’t disappearing even after taking the above precautions, here are some steps to try:
- Log out then log back into Snapchat
- Force quit and relaunch the app
- Check your internet connection
- Turn your phone off and back on
- Update to the latest version of Snapchat
- Delete and reinstall the Snapchat app
- Contact Snapchat support
Reducing Risks from Lingering Messages
Even if messages fail to disappear, there are steps you can take to minimize risks:
- Avoid sending anything risky or private
- Keep conversations time-bound
- Delete screenshots after viewing
- Scrub chats from Memories
- Report broken expiration to Snapchat
- Don’t associate identifying details
- Turn off Chat saving
- Leave expired group chats
- Log out on shared devices
Why Snapchat May Keep This Flawed System
Despite complaints, Snapchat is unlikely to overhaul message expiration. Here’s why it persists:
- Core part of Snapchat’s branding and identity
- Technically challenging to implement reliably
- Inevitable downside of complex software
- Allows for flexibility desired by many users
- Drives need for creative workarounds
- Gives users sense of control
- Difficult to achieve both security and convenience
While flawed, disappearing messages align with Snapchat’s priorities around privacy and give it a competitive edge. The company has gradually improved expiration over time when possible. Ultimately, no system is perfect, and the onus falls to users to manage risks.
The Future of Disappearing Messages
Here are some possible ways Snapchat could evolve its disappearing messages:
- End-to-end encryption for greater security
- Stronger controls around saving
- AI to detect risky content
- Incentives for letting messages expire
- Temporary auto-deletion of all chats
- Blocking screenshots through metadata
- Allow users to set message duration
- Facial recognition to prevent impersonation
- Reliability ratings for contacts
- Integration with privacy tech like Pixeldrain
There are always tradeoffs around privacy, usability, and performance. But Snapchat has incentives to push their platform forward in responsible ways. Users can also advocate for changes that bring expiration more in line with their expectations.