How to delete your Snapchat account

If any messaging service represents the meaning of “carpe diem,” it must be Snapchat. The application is known for its temporary nature. Messages, pictures, and videos will disappear forever, some seconds after the recipient takes a look at them. Just as your messages dissolve in a heartbeat, Snapchat has made it as fast and straightforward to deactivate Snapchat and make your whole account disappear forever, too.

Are you ready to let your Snapchat account go? It’s time to face it: it isn’t quite the social media juggernaut it once was, and you might want to let it go. Whatever your reason for leaving, we are here to help you through the process.

How to deactivate my Snapchat account

Many social networks allow users to temporarily deactivate their accounts. This is a great solution for those who want to take a break from the platform, but don’t necessarily want to permanently delete it.

Sadly, Snapchat doesn’t give you the option to deactivate your account temporarily. You can, however, delete your Snapchat account and restore it before 30 days. Snapchat will keep all your data stored during that waiting period. Whether you want to delete your account temporarily or permanently, we’ll go ahead and show you the steps below.

How to download your Snapchat data

Considering there is no official way to temporarily deactivate your Snapchat account, this makes the process inherently more risky. If you delete your Snapchat account, you risk forgetting to reactivate it before the 30 days, and losing all your Snapchat data. This includes your profile information, purchase history, chats, media, and more.

Thankfully, Snapchat has a solution for this. You can download all your Snapchat data! You’ll need to do it over a browser on Android and PC, but iPhone users can use the official Snapchat app.

How to download your Snapchat data using a browser:

1. Go to the Snapchat Accounts Portal page from any browser.
2. Enter your username and hit Next.
3. Enter your password and hit Next.
4. Click on My Data.
5. Select what you want to include in the download, then hit Next.
6. Choose the date range of the downloaded content. Hit Submit.
7. Snapchat will inform you it’s processing the download, and will send you an email with the download link when ready. It will come in the form of a ZIP file.

How to download your Snapchat data using the iPhone app:

1. Open the Snapchat app.
2. Tap on your profile icon in the top-left corner.
3. Hit the gear icon.
4. Scroll down to Account Actions.
5. Select My Data.
6. Enter your username and hit Next.
7. Enter your password and hit Next.
8. Select everything you want to include in your download and hit Next.
9. Choose the date range of the downloaded content. Hit Submit.
10. Snapchat will inform you it’s processing the download, and will send you an email with the download link when ready. It will come in the form of a ZIP file.

How to delete your Snapchat account using a browser

Similarly, you can’t delete your Snapchat account using the Android app. You can, however, use an Android browser to delete your Snapchat account. Here’s the process from a browser, which is the same if you’re using an Android browser.

1. Go to the Snapchat Accounts Portal page from any browser.
2. Enter your username and hit Next.
3. Enter your password and hit Next.
4. Click on Delete My Account.
5. Enter your username and password once again.
6. Select Continue, all the way at the bottom.
7. Done!

How to delete your account in the iOS app

While you can’t delete your Snapchat account using the Android app, iOS users get the ability to do so. Here’s how to do it.

1. Open the Snapchat app.
2. Tap on your profile icon in the top-left corner.
3. Hit the gear icon.
4. Scroll down to Account Actions.
5. Select Delete Account.
6. You will be redirected to the Accounts Portal.
7. Follow the instructions in the previous section to finish the process.

Again, just in case you want to return, Snapchat will keep all your data for 30 days. If that is the case, log back in to reactivate your account. The account will be deleted if you don’t activate it within the time frame. Snapchat warns us that it keeps some important information for “legal, security, and business needs.” This may include purchase information, for example.

How to restore your Snapchat account

1. Open the Snapchat app and log in using the same credentials before 30 days. Remember that you won’t be able to use your email after you delete your account. You’ll need to sign in using your username, instead.
2. You’ll be asked if you want to reactivate your Snapchat account. Tap Yes.
3. Snapchat will let you know you have to wait a bit to restore your account. Hit OK and wait a few minutes.
4. Log in. You’re done!

There you have it, guys! Now, you are free from Snapchat and ready to start a new life. You can also reactivate it when you start feeling withdrawals!

FAQs

Why, exactly, did you decide to delete Snapchat? If you’re having issues with the app, we have a guide on what you can do to fix common Snapchat problems. Maybe you should check it out before deleting your account for good.