If you are considering deleting your Snapchat account, you are not alone. There are still several people who do not use Snapchat regularly. So, whether you no longer use the app or don’t want to maintain your presence on Snapchat, it’s only natural to delete your account from the service.
This comprehensive guide will show you how to delete your Snapchat account from your Android, iPhone and the web. We’ll also cover what happens when you deactivate your Snapchat account and how to download Snapchat data before deleting it.
What happens when you delete your Snapchat account?
When you send a request to your Snapchat account, Snapchat will delete your account settings, friends, Snaps, Chats, Story, and device data from its servers. After that, your friends can no longer see your account or send you snaps.
It’s important to note that after you submit a request to delete your account, Snapchat saves snaps and messages on its servers for up to 30 days. So, if you reactivate your account within 30 days, you will be able to access your snaps and messages. But if you miss this 30-day grace period, Snapchat will permanently retain all of your account data.
That said, Snapchat retains certain personal data like your purchases on Snapchat for legal purposes. If you’re confident about deleting your Snapchat account, it’s a good idea to download a copy of your account data first.
How to Download Snapchat Data Before Deleting Account
It is necessary to give a working email address to get a copy of your Snapchat data. And make sure the email is verified with your Snapchat account. After that, you can start the process of downloading your Snapchat data. Here’s how:
Email Address Verification
Step 1: Open the Snapchat app.
2nd step: Tap your profile in the top left corner.
Step 3: Tap the gear icon (settings).
Step 4: Go to Email and check it.
After that, you can start requesting your Snapchat data.
Download your Snapchat data
To get a copy of your Snaps and messages, you will need to request the download from Snapchat from the app settings. Here’s how:
Step 1: Open the Snapchat app and tap on your profile in the top left corner.
2nd step: Click the gear icon in the upper right corner.
Step 3: Scroll down and tap on My data
Step 4: Read the document, enter and confirm your email address, then tap Submit Request.
Step 5: Snapchat will send an email with a link to download your data within minutes. Open the email and press the “click here” hyperlink in the email text.
Step 6: Log in to your Snapchat account on the displayed webpage.
Step 7: Press Download to save it as a .ZIP file.
Once your Snapchat data has finished downloading, you can unzip the file on any major operating system, including Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS.
Next, proceed to deleting your account. The removal steps differ between Android and iPhone.
How to Deactivate or Delete Snapchat Account on Android
Step 1: Open the Snapchat app on your Android.
2nd step: Tap your profile in the top left corner.
Step 3: Tap the gear icon in the upper right corner.
Step 4: Scroll down and tap “I need help” under Support.
Step 5: Press the search button to find “Delete my account” and select it.
Step 6: Tap on the accounts portal under “how to delete my Snapchat account”.
Step 7: This will take you to the Delete Account page. Confirm your username and password, then tap Continue.
After that, your Snapchat account will be deactivated for 30 days. If you don’t log in within the 30-day grace period, Snapchat will permanently delete your account.
How to Delete Snapchat Account on iPhone
Deactivating your Snapchat account on the iPhone is relatively simple.
Step 1: Open the Snapchat app on your iPhone.
2nd step: Tap your profile in the top left.
Step 3: Tap the gear icon in the top right.
Step 4: Scroll down and tap Delete account.
Step 5: Log in to your Snapchat account.
Step 6: On the Delete Account page, confirm your username, enter the password, and tap Continue.
Then your Snapchat account will be deactivated for 30 days. You get a 30-day grace period if you change your mind. And if you don’t log back in to cancel the request, Snapchat will permanently delete your account.
Have you changed your mind and want to reactivate your account? Go to the next section.
How to Reactivate a Snapchat Account
If you deactivated your Snapchat account and want to reactivate it, follow these steps within 30 days of requesting to delete your account.
Step 1: Log in to the Snapchat account you want to reactivate.
2nd step: Tap Yes to confirm account reactivation.
Step 3: Choose the reason and press “Reactivate my account”. Then press OK to confirm.
Step 4: Enter your username (you cannot log in with your email address) and password on the page that appears.
Step 5: Once logged in, Snapchat will reactivate your account within 24 hours.
This is how you can reactivate your Snapchat account. Here are some questions you might need answered.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deleting Snapchat Account
If you delete your Snapchat account rather than just the app, Snapchat will remove your account from your friends’ contact lists and they won’t be able to send you snaps. Although Snapchat does not notify your friends when an account is deleted, your friends will soon find out if you were active on Snapchat.
To request deletion of an account for which you do not have the username and password, you must complete an online form explaining why the account should be deleted. Following this, Snapchat may or may not respond to your request.
So why do you want to delete your Snapchat account? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.