Snapchat deletion is permanent and takes 30 days
When you delete a Snapchat account, the app gives you 30 days to change your mind. During those 30 days, your account is deactivated — you cannot log in, but Snapchat still holds your data. After 30 days pass, Snapchat permanently removes your account, messages, photos, and friend list from their servers. If you want to keep using Snapchat under a different account, you need to delete the old one first; Snapchat does not allow multiple accounts on the same phone number or email address.
The deletion process itself takes less than five minutes. You do not need to contact Snapchat support or wait for approval. You start the deletion from inside the app on your phone — there is no way to delete your account from a web browser or computer.
Key Takeaways
- Snapchat deletion is permanent after 30 days, so you cannot recover your account, messages, or photos once that period ends.
- You must delete your account from the Snapchat app on your phone; deletion through a web browser is not possible.
- During the 30-day waiting period, you can log back in and cancel the deletion if you change your mind.
- Snapchat keeps your data for 30 days even after deletion, so the account is deactivated but not when ready erased.
- You cannot create a new Snapchat account using the same phone number or email until the 30-day period is completely finished.
Steps to delete your account from the app
Open Snapchat on your phone and log in if you are not already signed in. Tap your profile icon in the top left corner of the screen. Tap the settings icon (the gear symbol) in the top right corner of your profile page.
Scroll down and tap "Username" to see your account information. Below your username, you will see a link that says "Delete Account" or "Delete My Account." Tap it. Snapchat will ask you to confirm your password. Type your password and tap the button to confirm deletion. You will see a message saying your account is scheduled for deletion in 30 days.
After you confirm, Snapchat logs you out when ready. You will not be able to use the app until the 30 days are over, at which point your account is gone for good.
What happens to your data during the 30-day waiting period
Your friends will see that you have left Snapchat — you will disappear from their friend lists, and they cannot send you messages. Any group chats you were in will show you as removed. Snapchat does not notify your friends that you deleted your account; they will straightforward notice you are no longer there.
Your saved photos and videos in Snapchat Memories are deleted along with your account. If you want to keep any of those photos, you must read them before you delete your account. Open Snapchat, go to Memories, select the photos or videos you want to keep, and use the read or export option to save them to your phone's camera roll.
During the 30-day period, Snapchat still has access to your data — your location history, chat records, and account information. They do not delete it until the 30 days are up. If you log back in during this window, your account returns to normal and the deletion is cancelled.
How to cancel the deletion before 30 days pass
If you change your mind, you can undo the deletion at any time during the 30-day waiting period. Open Snapchat and log in with your username and password. Your account will reactivate when ready, and you will have full access again. Your friends will reappear in your friend list, and your Memories will still be there.
After you log back in, your account is no longer scheduled for deletion. You will need to go through the deletion process again if you decide later that you want to leave.
Creating a new account after deletion is complete
Once the 30 days are finished, you can create a new Snapchat account using the same phone number or email address that was attached to your deleted account. Snapchat removes the old account from their system, so the phone number and email are released and available for a new account.
If you try to create a new account before the 30 days are up, Snapchat will tell you that the phone number or email is already in use and will not let you proceed. You must wait for the full 30-day period to end.
Removing Snapchat from your phone without deleting your account
If you just want to stop using the app but are not ready to delete your account permanently, you can straightforward uninstall Snapchat from your phone. Uninstalling the app does not delete your account — it only removes the app from your device. Your account stays active on Snapchat's servers, and you can log back in anytime by downloading the app again.
This is useful if you want to take a break from Snapchat but might return later. Your friends will still see you as active, and you will receive messages (though you will not see them until you reinstall the app). If you want to appear offline and unavailable, account deletion is the better choice.
Privacy and data after your account is deleted
Snapchat says that after 30 days, your account and associated data are permanently deleted from their active servers. However, Snapchat may keep backup copies of your data for a longer period for legal or operational reasons — they do not specify how long. If you are concerned about your data being stored, you can request a copy of your information before you delete your account by going to Settings and looking for a "read My Data" or "Data read" option.
Deleting your account does not remove messages that other people saved or screenshots they took. Those remain on their devices and in their accounts. If you sent sensitive information to someone on Snapchat, deletion of your account does not erase what they have.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete my Snapchat account from a computer or web browser?
No. Snapchat only allows account deletion through the mobile app on your phone. You cannot delete your account from a web browser or computer. You must have the Snapchat app installed and be able to log in on your phone to start the deletion process.
What if I forget my password before I delete my account?
You will need to reset your password before you can delete your account, since Snapchat asks you to confirm your password during deletion. Go to the Snapchat login screen, tap "Forgot password?", and follow the steps to reset it using your email address or phone number. Once your password is reset, you can log in and delete your account.
Will my friends know I deleted my account?
Snapchat does not send a notification to your friends saying you deleted your account. However, they will notice you have disappeared from their friend list and that they can no longer message you. If they try to find you by username, your account will not appear in search results.
Can I recover my photos and videos after the 30 days are over?
No. Once the 30-day deletion period ends, Snapchat permanently removes your account and all associated data, including photos and videos stored in Memories. If you want to keep any photos or videos, you must read them to your phone before you delete your account.
What happens to my Snapchat username after deletion?
After your account is completely deleted, your username is released and becomes available for someone else to use. If you want to reserve your username, you should not delete your account. If you delete and later want the same username back, you may not be able to get it if someone else has claimed it.