Where to find and install the Snapchat update
Snapchat updates come through your phone's app store — the App Store on iPhone or Google Play on Android. You do not read updates directly from Snapchat. Open whichever store your phone uses, search for Snapchat, and look for an Update button next to the app name. Tap it, and the store will read and install the new version automatically. On most phones, this takes a few minutes depending on your internet speed.
If you do not see an Update button, you already have the latest version. Snapchat rolls out updates in stages, so not everyone gets them on the same day — your phone might receive the update a few days after others do. This is normal and not a sign something is wrong.
You can also turn on automatic updates so your phone installs new Snapchat versions without you doing anything. On iPhone, go to Settings, tap your name at the top, select App Store, and turn on App Updates. On Android, open Google Play, tap your profile icon in the top right, go to Settings, select Network preferences, and turn on Auto-update apps.
Key Takeaways
- Snapchat updates come through the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android), not from Snapchat itself.
- New versions roll out gradually, so you might not see an update button for a few days after Snapchat releases it.
- You can turn on automatic updates in your phone's settings so updates install without you manually tapping Update.
- If Snapchat crashes or freezes after an update, closing and reopening the app usually fixes the problem.
Why Snapchat updates take time to reach everyone
Snapchat does not push the same update to all users at once. Instead, the company releases a new version to a small group first, watches for crashes or problems, and then gradually rolls it out to more phones over several days. This staged approach means your friend might have a new feature while you do not — even though you both use Snapchat on the same type of phone.
If you are waiting for a specific feature you saw someone else using, you may have to wait a few days for your turn to receive the update. There is no way to jump the queue or force an earlier update. Checking the App Store or Google Play daily will show you when the update reaches your phone.
What to do if the update button does not appear
If you have checked the App Store or Google Play multiple times and still do not see an Update button, your phone may already be running the latest version. Snapchat's staged rollout means some users get updates before others, so this is common.
You can also try closing and reopening the app store, or restarting your phone entirely. Sometimes the store needs a moment to refresh and show the latest information. If you restart and still see no update after waiting a day or two, you likely have the current version.
If you want to check what version you are currently running, open Snapchat, tap your profile icon in the top left, tap the Settings gear in the top right, scroll down to About, and look at the version number listed there. You can compare this to Snapchat's official website or social media to see if a newer version exists.
Fixing problems after updating Snapchat
Sometimes Snapchat crashes, freezes, or behaves strangely right after an update. The first step is to close the app completely and reopen it. On iPhone, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open the app switcher, find Snapchat, and swipe it up. On Android, tap the back button or swipe up from the bottom, depending on your phone model. Then tap the Snapchat icon again to reopen it.
If the app still does not work correctly, try restarting your entire phone. This clears temporary files and gives the app a fresh start. Hold the power button until you see the shutdown screen, turn the phone off completely, wait a few seconds, and turn it back on. Then open Snapchat again.
If problems continue after restarting, you can uninstall and reinstall Snapchat. On iPhone, press and hold the Snapchat icon on your home screen, tap Remove App, and confirm. On Android, press and hold the icon, tap Uninstall, and confirm. Then go back to the App Store or Google Play, search for Snapchat, and tap Install. This gives you a completely fresh copy of the app.
When Snapchat updates break features you use
Occasionally a Snapchat update changes how a feature works or removes something you relied on. The app's interface might move buttons around, change how filters work, or alter how messages appear. These changes are intentional — Snapchat's design team decided the new way works better — but that does not mean you have to like it.
If a feature is genuinely broken rather than just moved, you can report it to Snapchat. Open the app, go to Settings, scroll to Support, and tap Contact Us. Describe what is not working and include your phone model and Snapchat version number (found in About, as described above). Snapchat's support team reads these reports and sometimes fixes problems in the next update.
If you straightforward dislike a design change, you can leave feedback the same way — through Settings and Contact Us. Snapchat does not always revert changes based on user feedback, but the company does track what people report.
Staying on an older version of Snapchat
If a recent update caused serious problems, you might want to stay on an older version instead of updating. On iPhone, you can turn off automatic updates for Snapchat specifically. Open the App Store, search for Snapchat, tap the three dots next to the app name, and turn off Automatic Updates. You will then see an Update button when new versions arrive, but you can choose not to tap it.
On Android, the process is similar. Open Google Play, search for Snapchat, tap the three dots at the top right of the app page, go to Settings, and turn off Auto-update for this app. You will then control when or whether to update.
Keep in mind that staying on an older version has downsides. Snapchat's servers may eventually stop supporting very old app versions, which means the app will stop working entirely. Additionally, older versions may have security problems that newer versions fix. Staying behind for a few days while you test a new version is reasonable; staying behind for months is risky.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Snapchat keep asking me to update?
Snapchat shows an update reminder when a new version is available in your app store. If you keep dismissing the reminder instead of tapping Update, the app will ask again the next time you open it. To stop the reminders, either install the update or turn on automatic updates in your phone's settings so the app updates without asking.
Can I use Snapchat while it is updating?
No. While the app store is downloading and installing the update, Snapchat will not open. You will see a message saying the app is being updated or installed. Wait for the process to finish, which usually takes a few minutes, and then you can use Snapchat normally.
What if my phone storage is full and the update will not install?
Your phone needs free space to read and install updates. Delete photos, videos, or apps you do not use to free up space, then try the update again. You can also check your phone's storage in Settings to see what is taking up the most room.
Does updating Snapchat delete my messages or memories?
No. Updating the app does not erase your messages, Snapchat memories, or any other data stored in your account. Your messages and memories are saved on Snapchat's servers, not just on your phone, so they stay safe when you update.