Trying to export your Snapchat memories but running into issues getting the file to actually download? Snapchat’s export feature can be handy for preserving special snaps and stories, but it doesn’t always work as expected. Here’s a look at some of the common reasons why your Snapchat export may be failing, along with tips for troubleshooting the problem.
Not Enough Storage Space
One of the most common reasons Snapchat exports fail is because there isn’t enough available storage space on your device. Snapchat will attempt to download all of your Memories content into a ZIP file, which can easily be gigabytes in size depending on how long you’ve had your account and how much content you have saved. If you’re low on space, the export process may start but then fail partway through when your phone runs out of room to save the file.
Before exporting your Snaps, make sure you have plenty of available storage on your device. Try clearing out unused apps, photos, downloads and other files you no longer need to free up space for the Snapchat ZIP. You’ll also want to check that you don’t have the ZIP file from a previous export still taking up space – if so, you’ll need to delete the old file before trying again.
Connection Issues
Exporting a Snapchat ZIP requires a stable internet connection throughout the entire process. If your Wi-Fi or cellular data cuts out mid-download, the export will fail and you’ll have to start over. Avoid connection problems by exporting your Snaps when you know you’ll have a strong signal.
Try moving closer to your wireless router, or switch from Wi-Fi to cellular data if you have a weak Wi-Fi signal where you are. You can check the progress of the export from the Memories screen – if you see it stalling for long periods, your connection may be dropping. Stop the process and try again when you have a more reliable connection.
Outdated App Version
Make sure you’re running the latest version of the Snapchat app. The developers release frequent updates that include bug fixes and improvements to features like the export tool. If your app is outdated, the export function may not work properly or could fail.
Go to your device’s app store and check for any available Snapchat updates, then install the newest version. Also enable auto-update in your device settings so the app stays up-to-date automatically. With each update, there’s a better chance the export bug causing problems on your old version will be fixed.
Server Errors
In some cases, the issue may be on Snapchat’s end rather than your device. Server outages or glitches could temporarily break the Memories export feature. If the tool suddenly stops working even though it was fine previously, server problems may be to blame.
Check Snapchat’s status page or Twitter feed to see if they have reported any known issues. You may just need to wait until their engineers fix the problem. Keep trying the export every few hours to see if it starts working again as the servers come back online.
Corrupted Files
Rarely, your Memories files themselves may have become corrupted, preventing Snapchat from reading and exporting them properly. This can happen if there was an error while previously saving or backing up your Snaps.
As a precaution, you may want to periodically delete and re-save Memories you want to keep just to refresh the files. And avoid closing the app mid-save, as this can sometimes corrupt newly saved Snaps before they are fully written to your device storage. Deleting and re-saving Snaps will generate clean copies.
Too Much Data to Export
Snapchat limits how much memory data a single account can export at one time to prevent overloading their servers. The exact size limit is not publicly disclosed, but it appears to be in the 5-10GB range based on user reports.
If you have a very large Memories collection, particularly lots of videos and long Stories, it may exceed the size cap. You’ll need to pare down what you’re exporting to reduce the total size. Try temporarily saving just your most important Snaps before exporting, then repeating for other batches of content.
Banned or Suspended Account
If your account was banned by Snapchat or you are currently locked out due to suspension, you will be blocked from accessing your Memories or exporting data until the restrictions are lifted. Make sure your account is in good standing before trying to export your Snaps.
If you were banned or suspended in error, you can appeal to Snapchat and request they reinstate your account. But keep in mind data from accounts that are permanently disabled is deleted and can’t be recovered.
Troubleshooting Steps
If your Snapchat export keeps failing, try these troubleshooting steps:
- Force close and restart the Snapchat app
- Power cycle your phone
- Delete old Memories before exporting
- Free up storage space on your device
- Try on a different device
- Toggle airplane mode on/off to reset connection
- Toggle Wi-Fi and cellular data
- Update Snapchat to latest version
Contacting Snapchat Support
If the export still won’t work after troubleshooting, you may need to reach out to Snapchat for additional help:
- Direct message @snapchatsupport on Twitter
- Start a live chat at support.snapchat.com
- Email [email protected] with details and screenshots
A Snapchat support rep may be able to diagnose the issue and get your export working again. Be sure to include your username, steps taken so far, and any error messages you’re seeing.
Alternative Export Methods
If Snapchat’s built-in tool isn’t cooperating, there are a few alternative third party apps and services that may be able to retrieve and save your Snaps instead:
- SnapSave – A website connected to your account that saves Snaps offline.
- SnapBox – An app that secretly backs up received Snaps in the background.
- iSkysoft Snapchat Recovery – Data recovery software that extracts Memories from your device storage.
While these do work, be cautious about third party apps having access to your Snapchat account. Make sure to reset your password after exporting to revoke account access.
Last Resort: Screen Recording
If you absolutely must preserve Memories content and Snapchat support is unable to assist, a last ditch option is to screen record the Snaps manually as you view them. This is time consuming, but will let you capture video and screenshots to save offline.
Just be aware screen recording violates Snapchat’s terms as it bypasses the app’s temporary nature. So keep the recordings private and only use responsibly as a limited backup.
Preventing Future Export Issues
To avoid export failures going forward, be proactive with managing your Memories:
- Save fewer Snaps to stay under the export size limit
- Delete old Memories regularly to refresh files
- Export more frequently instead of one giant backup
- Always keep the app updated
- Avoid closing app before exports complete
Staying on top of Snapchat maintenance, keeping your usage reasonable, and troubleshooting diligently can help minimize issues with exporting in the future.
Conclusion
Getting your Snapchat Memories off your phone shouldn’t be a difficult or unreliable process. Hopefully understanding the various reasons exports fail provides a clearer picture of how to avoid common problems. A bit of user-end troubleshooting along with contacting Snapchat support when necessary should ultimately get your exports downloading properly.