The fastest way back in: use your username or email
To log back into Snapchat, open the app and tap Log In at the bottom of the screen. Enter either your Snapchat username or the email address connected to your account, then enter your password. If you remember both pieces of information, you are back in within seconds.
Snapchat does not use your phone number as a login method, even if you provided one when you created the account. Stick to username or email. If you are not sure which email you used, check any confirmation emails from Snapchat in your inbox or spam folder — they will show the account email.
Key Takeaways
- Log in with your username or email address and password; Snapchat does not accept phone number logins.
- If you forgot your password, tap Forgot password? on the login screen and follow the reset link sent to your email.
- Two-factor authentication will ask for a code from your phone or authentication app after you enter your password.
- If you cannot access the email tied to your account, contact Snapchat support through the app or website to verify your identity another way.
- Logging back in does not restore deleted messages or snaps — those are gone permanently once deleted.
Resetting your password if you do not remember it
On the login screen, tap Forgot password? below the password field. Snapchat will ask for your username or email. Enter whichever one you remember, and the app will send a password reset link to the email address on file.
Check your email inbox and spam folder for a message from Snapchat. The reset link usually arrives within a few minutes. Click the link, create a new password, and return to the app to log in with your new one. The password must be at least eight characters long.
If you do not receive the reset email after waiting ten minutes, check that you entered the correct username or email. If you are certain you did, your email address may have been changed or removed from the account. In that case, move to the next section.
What to do if you cannot access your email address
If the email on your Snapchat account no longer works — because you lost access to it, changed providers, or it was compromised — you cannot reset your password through the normal route. Instead, go to Snapchat's support page at support.snapchat.com and select My Account & Login, then I can't log in.
Snapchat will ask you to verify your identity. They may request your phone number, the phone number associated with your account, your date of birth, or a photo of your face. Answer as accurately as you can. This process can take several days, and Snapchat may deny the request if they cannot confirm you own the account.
While you wait for support to respond, do not create a new account with the same username. Snapchat will see this as suspicious activity and may lock both accounts. If support approves your identity, they can help you change the email on file or reset your password directly.
Handling two-factor authentication on login
If you turned on two-factor authentication for your account, Snapchat will ask for a second code after you enter your password. This code comes from either a text message to your phone or from an authentication app like Google Authenticator or Authy.
Enter the code within the time limit shown on screen — codes usually expire after 30 seconds. If your code expires, tap Didn't get a code? and Snapchat will send a new one. If you no longer have access to the phone number or authentication app you set up, tap Can't access your authentication method? and follow the steps to verify your identity another way.
Why you might be locked out even with the right password
Snapchat locks accounts temporarily if it detects unusual login activity — for example, logging in from a new device, a new location, or many failed password attempts in a row. When this happens, the app shows a message saying your account is locked and directs you to verify your identity.
Follow the on-screen instructions, which usually ask you to confirm your phone number, email, or date of birth. Verification takes a few minutes to a few hours. Do not try to log in repeatedly while locked; each attempt resets the timer.
If you see a message that your account was permanently disabled, Snapchat detected activity that violated their terms of service. This is not a temporary lock. You can appeal the decision through support.snapchat.com, but Snapchat rarely reverses permanent disables.
Logging in on a new device
When you log into Snapchat on a device you have never used before, the app may ask you to verify your identity before granting access. This is a security measure. Snapchat will send a verification code to your email or phone number. Enter the code in the app to complete login.
After you log in successfully, the app will remember that device. The next time you open Snapchat on that same phone or tablet, you will not need to verify again — unless you clear the app's cache or uninstall and reinstall it.
What happens to your data when you log back in
Logging back into your account restores access to your friends list, your username, your display name, and any snaps or chats that are still stored on Snapchat's servers. However, messages and snaps you deleted before logging out are gone permanently — Snapchat does not keep deleted content, even if you regain access to your account.
Your Snapchat score, streaks, and saved snaps will all be there. Stories you posted before logging out remain visible to your friends unless you deleted them. If someone blocked you while you were logged out, you will discover that when you try to view their profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I log into Snapchat on multiple devices at the same time?
Yes. You can be logged in on your phone, tablet, and computer simultaneously. Snapchat will sync your friends list and settings across all devices. However, if you log out on one device, you stay logged in on the others.
What if I see a login attempt from somewhere I do not recognize?
Snapchat will notify you of unusual login activity. If you did not attempt to log in from that location or device, change your password when ready and turn on two-factor authentication if you have not already. Then check your email for any other suspicious account activity.
Do I lose my Snapchat score if I log out?
No. Your score, streaks, and all account data stay on Snapchat's servers whether you are logged in or out. Logging back in restores everything. You only lose streaks if you do not send snaps to a friend for 24 hours.
Can I recover a deleted Snapchat account?
If you deactivated your account intentionally, you have 30 days to log back in and reactivate it. After 30 days, Snapchat deletes the account permanently. If your account was disabled by Snapchat for violating terms of service, you cannot recover it, though you can appeal through support.
What if my username is taken by someone else?
If you log back into your account, your username is still yours — usernames cannot be reassigned to other accounts. If someone else is using a name similar to yours, that is a different account. You can report impersonation accounts to Snapchat through the app.