Key Takeaways

• Deleting a Snapchat account is simple and can be done within the app on iOS or website on Android.
• When an account is deleted, it's deactivated for 30 days before permanent deletion.
• Snapchat retains some personal data for legal, security, and business reasons.

Social media's 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, 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 got you covered. Below you'll learn how to permanently delete your Snapchat account. We will also dive into what happens when you delete your account, why you might want to, and whether Snapchat keeps your data.

How to delete your 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.

All set? Deleting your Snapchat account is, fortunately, extremely easy and shouldn't take you more than just a few minutes. However, keep in mind that the way to do it depends on whether you have a device running iOS or Android. Here are both available methods:

You can delete your Snapchat account right from within the Settings menu of the Snapchat mobile app on your iPhone.

1. Open the Snapchat app
2. Tap the Settings cog on the Profile screen to open Settings
3. Scroll down to Account Actions
4. Tap Delete Account
5. Follow the on-screen steps to delete your account

How to delete Snapchat 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.

1. Go to the Snapchat's account delete page
2. Type in the username or an email that is connected to the account you want to delete an click Next.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. If you're sure you want to continue, click Continue after checking once again that your password and username are correct.
6. If everything goes to plan, you'll se a page confirming the deactivation of your account.

Why would you want to delete Snapchat?

That depends on you

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.

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.