Updated on November 8, 2021 You can also deactivate Snapchat
What to Know
This article explains how to close your Snapchat account. You can also temporarily deactivate Snapchat, in case you decide you want to bring it back. In fact, you actually have to deactivate your account first before you can permanently delete it.
How to Deactivate or Delete Your Snapchat Account
If you go into your Snapchat settings on the mobile app, you won't find anything that takes
you through the process of how to delete your Snapchat account. Don't worry—it is possible to delete a Snap account, but you have to do it from a web browser.
Navigate to accounts.snapchat.com in a web browser and sign into your Snapchat account.
If you have login verification enabled, a code will be texted to your mobile device that you will need to enter it into the given field in order to sign in.
Under Manage My Account, select Delete My Account.
Enter your login details in the fields on the following page and select Continue.
Once you deactivate your account, your friends will be unable to interact with you at all through your account. Be sure you want to do this in case you want to keep up any streaks, scores, or other conversations you have going.
On the next page, you'll receive a message stating your account is in the process of being deactivated.
If you open the mobile app, you should notice that your deactivation prompt will have caused you to be automatically signed out.
To permanently delete your Snapchat account, you must wait 30 days after you deactivated your account. Your account will then be automatically deleted.
How to Reactivate Your Snapchat Account
If you change your mind about deleting your Snapchat account, you can always reactivate it, provided you do it within 30-days of deactivating it. To reactivate it, all you have to do is sign in to your Snapchat account using your username (not your email address) and your password, either in the app or on the web version.
If you recently deactivated your account and are trying to reactivate it, you might need to wait a little while until the deactivation process is complete, which could take up to 24 hours (according to Snapchat).
If you verified your email address on your account, you should receive an email notifying you when your account has been successfully deactivated. Once you receive this, you can go ahead and sign in to your account to reactivate it.
How to Reactivate Your Snapchat Account
Why Deactivate or Delete a Snapchat Account?
You might want to deactivate, then delete your Snapchat account if:
- You no longer snap or chat with friends, open snaps or chats from friends, post stories, or view friends' stories.
- You want to change your Snapchat username.
- You have too many friends and want to start over with a fresh account, rather than going through them all and deleting them.
- You want to quit using Snapchat due to loss of interest, unpleasant experiences, a long-term digital detox, a change in priorities, etc.
If you're worried about sharing too much information on Snapchat, you can change several of your privacy settings to make the way you connect and the information you share more private. This way, you don't have to delete your account and start a new one.
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If any messaging service represents the meaning of “carpe diem,” it must be Snapchat. The application is known for its temporary nature. Messages, pictures, and videos will disappear forever some seconds after the recipient takes a look at them. Just as your messages dissolve in a heartbeat, Snapchat has made it as fast and straightforward to deactivate Snapchat and make your whole account disappear forever too.
Are you ready to let your Snapchat account go? It’s time to face it, it isn’t quite the social media juggernaut it once was, and you might want to let it go. Whatever your reason for leaving may be, we are here to help you through the process.
How to delete your Snapchat account
- Go to the Snapchat Accounts Portal page from any browser (you can’t delete the account from the Android app).
- Enter your username and password.
- Select Log in.
- Click on Delete My Account.
- Enter your username and password once again.
- Select Continue, all the way at the bottom.
- Done!
How to delete your account on iOS
While you can’t delete your Snapchat account using the Android app, iOS users get the ability to do so. Here’s how to do it.
- Open the Snapchat app.
- Tap on your profile icon in the top-left corner.
- Hit the gear icon.
- Scroll down to Account Actions.
- Select Delete Account.
- You will be redirected to the Accounts Portal.
- Follow the instructions in the previous section to finish the process.
Snapchat will keep all your data for 30 days, just in case you want to return. If that is the case, log back in to reactivate your account. The account will be deleted if you don’t activate it in the said time frame. Snapchat warns us that it keeps some important information for “legal, security, and business needs.” This may include purchase information, for example.
How to restore your Snapchat account
- Open the Snapchat app and log in using the same credentials before 30 days. Keep in mind you won’t be able to use your email after you delete your account. You’ll need to sign in using your username, instead.
- You’ll be asked if you want to reactivate your Snapchat account. Tap Yes.
- Give the app some time. Servers will need a few minutes to bring your account back.
- Log in. You’re done!
There you have it, guys! Now you are free from Snapchat and ready to start a new life. Or you can reactivate it when you start feeling withdrawals! If you come back to Snapchat, don’t forget to follow the Android Authority account.
FAQs
You can, as long as it has been under 30 days since you deleted it. If more than 30 days have passed, restoring your account is no longer possible.
Snapchat mentions it will retain certain information for legal, security, and business reasons. The company keeps any information about purchases you may have made through Snapchat and when you accepted the terms of service and privacy policy.
Maybe you want to keep your conversations private and temporary, even after deleting your Snapchat account. We have good news for you! We’ve put together a list of the best apps like Snapchat. There are a few to choose from.