You can delete your Snapchat account in two ways: deactivation, which is temporary, or permanent deletion, which cannot be undone
Snapchat offers two different paths depending on whether you might want to return. Deactivation freezes your account for 30 days — your profile, friends list, and chat history stay on Snapchat's servers, and you can log back in during that window to cancel the deletion. After 30 days, the account is gone for good. Permanent deletion starts the same process but you cannot undo it; Snapchat begins removing your data when ready, though some information may remain in backups for up to 90 days.
Most people choose deactivation first because it gives you time to change your mind. If you are certain you want out, permanent deletion removes your account faster and more completely. Either way, Snapchat will not let you use the same phone number or email to create a new account for 30 days after deletion begins.
Key Takeaways
- Deactivation freezes your account for 30 days and can be reversed by logging in; permanent deletion cannot be undone and starts data removal when ready.
- You must use the Snapchat website or app settings to start deletion — there is no phone number to call or support form that will do it for you.
- After deletion begins, you cannot use the same phone number or email to create a new Snapchat account for 30 days.
- Snapchat keeps some data in backup systems for up to 90 days even after permanent deletion, though your profile will not be visible to other users.
- Deactivating does not delete your Snapchat memories or downloaded photos — you should save anything you want to keep before you start the deletion process.
How to deactivate your account through the app
Open Snapchat and tap your profile icon in the top left corner. Scroll down and tap "Username" to see your account name. Go back to the profile menu and scroll down further until you see "Support" — tap it, then tap "Contact Us." On the next screen, look for a link that says "Delete Account" or "Account Deletion" (the exact wording changes with app updates). Tap it.
Snapchat will ask you to confirm your username and password. Enter both, then tap the button to confirm deactivation. You will see a message saying your account is deactivated and will be permanently deleted in 30 days. At this point, you are logged out and cannot use Snapchat until the 30 days pass or you log back in to cancel.
If you change your mind during the 30-day window, open Snapchat, log in with your username and password, and your account will reactivate when ready. After 30 days with no login, Snapchat begins permanent deletion.
How to permanently delete your account through the website
Go to accounts.snapchat.com in a web browser and log in with your username and password. Click on your profile icon in the top right, then click "Username" to confirm you are in the right account. Scroll down the left menu until you see "Delete Account" and click it.
Snapchat will show you a warning that permanent deletion cannot be undone. Enter your password again to confirm, then click the button to permanently delete. Unlike deactivation, you cannot reverse this — the deletion process starts when ready and your account will not be recoverable after 30 days.
If you do not have access to a computer, you can also reach the deletion page through the app by going to Settings (the gear icon), scrolling to "Support," tapping "Contact Us," and finding the account deletion link. The process is the same whether you use the app or website.
What happens to your data after deletion
Once deletion begins, your profile becomes invisible to other users within a few hours. Your username will not appear in search results, and people will not be able to message you or add you as a friend. However, Snapchat keeps copies of some data — including messages, photos, and account information — in backup systems for up to 90 days. This is standard practice for most apps and is used to recover data if a server fails or if you contact support with a legitimate recovery request.
After 90 days, Snapchat deletes the backups. Your account information, including your display name, username, and friend list, is removed from active systems much sooner — usually within 30 days. Snaps you sent to others remain on their devices or in their chat history; deletion only removes your copy and your ability to access the app.
Snapchat Memories — photos and videos you saved within the app — are not automatically deleted when you close your account. If you want to keep these, read them before you start the deletion process. Once your account is gone, you will not be able to access Memories through Snapchat, though any photos you downloaded to your phone will remain there.
Why you might want to deactivate instead of permanently delete
Deactivation is the safer choice if you are not completely certain. It gives you 30 days to reconsider without losing anything — your friends list, chat history, and Memories all stay intact. You can log in at any point during those 30 days and your account returns to normal. This is useful if you are taking a break from social media but might want to return, or if you are not sure whether you will miss staying in touch with people through Snapchat.
Permanent deletion is better if you are closing the account for privacy or security reasons — for example, if you have been hacked, if you want to remove your data from Snapchat's servers as much as possible, or if you are certain you will not use the app again. The main advantage is that deletion begins when ready rather than waiting 30 days, and Snapchat starts removing your information from active systems right away.
What to do before you close your account
Save anything you want to keep. read your Snapchat Memories by opening the app, going to Memories (the clock icon at the bottom), and tapping and holding each photo or video you want to save. Choose "Save" or "Export" depending on your phone. You can also take screenshots of important conversations, though the other person will be notified that you took a screenshot.
Tell your close friends that you are leaving Snapchat. If people rely on Snapchat to reach you, give them your phone number, email, or another way to contact you. Once your account is deleted, they will not be able to message you through the app.
Check whether you use Snapchat to sign into other apps or services. Some apps let you log in using your Snapchat account instead of creating a separate password. If you delete Snapchat, you will lose that login method and will need to create a new password or use a different sign-in option for those apps.
What to do if you cannot access your account
If you forgot your password, go to accounts.snapchat.com, click "Forgot password?" and follow the steps to reset it using your email or phone number. If you no longer have access to the email or phone number linked to your account, Snapchat's support form may be able to help, though recovery can take time.
If your account was hacked or locked for security reasons, contact Snapchat support through the app (Settings > Support > Contact Us) or through the website. Explain what happened and provide as much detail as you can. Snapchat may ask you to verify your identity before they unlock the account or let you delete it.
If you cannot log in and cannot reset your password, you may not be able to delete the account yourself. In this case, contact Snapchat support and ask them to help you delete it. Provide your username, the email or phone number you used to sign up, and an explanation of why you cannot access the account. Support can take days or weeks to respond, but they can delete accounts on your behalf if you prove you own it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reactivate my account after the 30-day deactivation period ends?
No. Once 30 days pass without logging in, Snapchat automatically converts deactivation to permanent deletion and begins removing your data. You cannot reverse this. If you think you might want to return, log back in during the 30-day window to cancel the deletion.
Will my friends know I deleted my account?
Your friends will see that you are no longer on their friends list, but Snapchat does not send a notification saying you deleted your account. They may notice you stopped responding or that your profile disappeared, but they will not receive an automatic message from Snapchat.
What if I want to use the same username after I delete my account?
You cannot create a new account with the same username for 30 days after deletion begins. After 30 days, the username becomes available again and you can use it on a new account. However, you will need a different phone number or email address to sign up.
Does deleting my account remove my snaps from other people's phones?
No. Snaps you sent to friends remain in their chat history and on their devices. Deletion only removes your copy and your access to the app. If you want to remove a snap you sent, you must delete it before you close your account.
Can Snapchat recover my account after permanent deletion?
Snapchat can recover data from backups for up to 90 days after deletion, but they will only do this in rare cases — for example, if you can prove your account was hacked and deleted without your permission. Permanent deletion is meant to be final, and Snapchat does not routinely restore deleted accounts.