Key Takeaways
- Reclaim your attention by giving up Snapchat, reclaim your attention by consuming content attentively and mindfully
- Deleting your Snapchat account includes erasing all existing data, memories, chats, and pictures, and is irreversible
- Reasons to delete Snapchat include discomfort with AI integrations, privacy concerns, and a desire for a less internet-dependent lifestyle.
Social media is great for staying in touch with everyone, from your close friends to folks across the globe. It’s super easy to make new friends and hang out online. But, there’s a downside. It’s starting to mess with our focus, how we feel, and just life in general. Even though it’s super handy, it’s also changing how we live, work, see ourselves, and interact with others.
Snapchat is often credited for focusing on quick, attention-grabbing messages. Now, many people are trying to reclaim their attention spans and consume content more attentively and mindfully — and one of the first steps to doing that is giving up your Snapchat account.
If this applies to you, or maybe you want to get rid of Snapchat for any other reason (and believe me, there are many, like privacy concerns or the increasing reliance on AI), we’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll learn how to permanently delete your Snapchat account, what happens when you do, why you might want to, and whether Snapchat keeps your data.
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How do you delete a Snapchat account on iPhone
Go to Settings
Deleting your Snapchat account takes just a few steps and is extremely straightforward. You’ll only need a smartphone or tablet running the Snapchat mobile app, or access to a computer where you can go to Snapchat’s accounts portal on the web. You’ll also need a Snapchat account to delete. That means you need to remember your username and password.
You can delete your Snapchat account right from within the Settings menu of the Snapchat mobile app on your iPhone.
- Open the Snapchat app
- Tap the Settings cog on the Profile screen to open Settings
- Scroll down to Account Actions
- Tap Delete Account
- Follow the on-screen steps to delete your account
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How do you delete a Snapchat account on Android or desktop?
You need to use the Snacphat website
Unfortunately for Android users, if you access the Snapchat mobile app from an Android device, you’ll need to use Snapchat’s website to delete your account. Of course, deleting your account from your desktop is also possible for iOS users, so if you find that method easier, go for it even if you have an iPhone.
- Go to the Snapchat’s account delete page
- Type in the username or an email that is connected to the account you want to delete and click Next.
- In the next step, input the password associated with the same account. If you don’t remember it, you’ll have to recover it first in order to continue. After you input the password, click Next.
- The next page will ask you to confirm the deletion of your account. Keep in mind that for the first 30 days the account is deactivated, meaning that it cannot be interacted with by others, but if you log back in, it’ll be reinstated. It will be deleted after 30 days.
- If you’re sure you want to continue, click Continue after checking once again that your password and username are correct.
- If everything goes to plan, you’ll see a page confirming the deactivation of your account.
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If you delete your Snapchat account, what happens?
It’s gone for good
Unlike just deleting the app, deleting your Snapchat account (and not logging back in during the 30 day deactivation period) will erase all your existing Snapchat data. This includes your memories, chats, streaks, and pictures.
deleting your Snapchat account is irreversible once done.
This is not a decision you should make lightly as deleting your Snapchat account is irreversible once done. If you change your mind, you’ll need to start a brand new account.
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Why would you want to delete Snapchat?
That depends on you
Unsplash
Perhaps you’re uncomfortable with the latest AI integrations, or maybe you want to delete someone else’s account, like a child who you don’t want on the platform. There is also quite a big trend of leaving social media to live a healthier, less internet-dependent lifestyle, and getting rid of social media platforms that encourage a short attention span is for sure a great first step in such a journey.
On the other hand, you might also want to create a new account using the same email, for whatever reason. You can do that on Snapchat, but only after the first account gets permanently deleted.
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FAQ
Q: What happens when you delete Snapchat?
Your account will be deactivated for the first 30 days. While your account is deactivated, your friends will not be able to contact or interact with you on Snapchat, but your account will still exist in the database, along with your chat history, messages, saved snaps etc. However, when that time passes, the account gets permanently deleted, and you will not be able to recover it. However, this also means that you can open a Snapchat account using the same email address again after the deactivation period ends.
Q: Does Snapchat keep any of your data?
When your Snapchat account is permanently deleted, your account settings, friends, Snaps, Chats, Stories, device data, and location data in Snapchat’s main user database will be deleted. Snap said it “may retain some personal data for certain legal, security, and business needs”. For example, it will retain information about any purchases you may have made through Snapchat. You agreed to this and can learn more about it Snapchat’s terms of service here.
Q: How to reactivate your Snapchat account
Sometimes, deleting your Snapchat account may be a decision that you take in the moment. Something bad could happen, you might have gotten an unsavory Snap from someone, or you were just done with social media. However, after a while of reflection, you might end up regretting the decision and wanting to go back to the platform. Is it even possible to recover your account?
Fortunately, it is completely within the realm of possibility to go back on your decision to close your account – but there is a catch. If you want to get your account back after deciding to delete it, you can simply log back into Snapchat using the same email and password as before, and the account will be back online, with all your chats and photos where you left them. However, you have to do it within 30 days of your deletion request. After a month, the account is deleted permanently and in order to start using Snapchat again, you’ll have to create another account.
For more about Snapchat and how it works, including tips and tricks, see Pocket-lint’s full guide. Snap also has a support page here that details everything you need to know about deleting your Snapchat account.
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