Snapchat is a popular social media app that allows users to send photos, videos, and messages that disappear after being viewed. A core feature of Snapchat is that content is meant to be ephemeral, with snaps deleting after they are opened.
However, sometimes snaps get deleted before you have a chance to view them. Or, you may have accidentally deleted a snap that you wanted to keep. Is it possible to recover deleted Snapchat messages, photos, or videos?
Unfortunately, Snapchat does not have a built-in way to recover deleted snaps. Once a snap is deleted, it is meant to be gone forever. However, with the right tools and techniques, you may be able to salvage deleted content on Snapchat. Here are some methods you can try to recover deleted Snaps.
Use Snapchat Memories
Snapchat Memories is a feature that allows you to save your sent or received snaps. If you have Memories enabled, any incoming or outgoing snaps are automatically saved here unless you actively delete them.
To view Memories:
- Open the Snapchat app.
- On the Camera tab, swipe up from the bottom of the screen.
- This will open your Memories tab, where you can browse snaps you’ve previously saved.
If you had Memories enabled at the time the snap in question was sent, it may still be available here even if it was “deleted” elsewhere in the app. Scroll through to see if you can locate the lost snap.
Restore from Backup
If you previously backed up your Snapchat data either locally or to the cloud, you may be able to restore deleted snaps from the backup.
For example, if you use an iPhone and have iCloud backups enabled, you can restore the Snapchat app data from a previous iCloud backup that contains the lost snap. On Android, you can use apps like Snapchat Backup Restore to pull deleted data from a local backup.
The catch is your backup has to be recent enough to contain the snap in question. But for relatively newly deleted content, restoring from backup can work.
Use Data Recovery Software
Third-party iOS and Android data recovery software provides the most customizable way to restore deleted Snapchat files. These tools can scan your device’s storage and extract residual Snapchat data even if it’s been deleted from the app.
Some apps that offer Snapchat recovery features include:
- iMyFone D-Back (iOS)
- FonePaw iOS Data Recovery (iOS)
- EaseUS MobiSaver (iOS, Android)
- DiskDigger (Android)
The process involves first installing the software on a computer, connecting your mobile device, scanning the device, and extracting recoverable Snapchat data. This gives you access to deleted snaps the app no longer has stored.
Request from Recipients
If the deleted snap was one you received from someone else, you can try asking the sender to resend it to you. Since snaps get deleted after being opened, the sender may still have access to the snap in their Memories if they saved it there.
Politely ask the sender if they are able to recover and resend the deleted snap. If they saved it before opening, they should be able to retrieve it for you if they choose.
Use Snapchat Support
In some cases, you may be able to request assistance directly from Snapchat to recover deleted snaps. Snapchat’s support website has a form you can fill out that allows you to specify lost Memories content you want restored.
Snapchatsays they will “do [their] best” to restore deleted Memories content in some circumstances. It still seems to be a long shot, but may be worth trying if you’ve exhausted all other options.
Avoid Losing Snaps in the Future
To avoid having to recover deleted Snapchat messages and photos, implement strategies to prevent accidental deletions in the first place.
- Enable Memories to automatically save sent and received snaps.
- Back up your Snapchat data locally or to the cloud regularly.
- Use screenshot capture to save important snaps before they disappear.
- Be careful when deleting snaps to avoid removing ones you want to keep.
While undeleting Snapchat messages is difficult, taking proactive measures can help ensure you have access to important snaps when you need them. Follow these best practices for preserving your Memories content.
Can Deleted Snaps Be Recovered?
Due to Snapchat’s ephemeral messaging design, recovering deleted snaps is tricky and not guaranteed. The app is engineered for privacy, with messages designed to vanish.
If you don’t have backups or the content saved in Memories, undeleting snaps may be impossible. However, with the recovery methods above, you might get lucky restoring deleted Snapchat content with the right timing and tools. Be proactive about preserving important snaps before they disappear.
