How to find deleted Snapchat messages

Snapchat is a good communication app that offers a range of features to keep you engaged. When it was introduced, Snapchat was limited to smartphones, but now you canuse Snapchat on your computer. Self-deleting messages also add to the intrigue of the platform, and sometimes, these messages contain special images and videos. You may want to hold on to them, especially if you took them with the recently launchedGoogle Pixel 8aor one of thebest Android camera phones.

As Snapchat prioritizes privacy, retrieving deleted media after they are gone isn’t as easy. In this guide, we share solutions to help you get the deleted Snaps in Snapchat using an Android or iOS device.

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How Snapchat stores and deletes data

When you make a Snap and send it to someone, Snapchat temporarily stores it on the servers. Typically, Snaps self-destruct after viewing them in a conversation, but you can save and revisit them. This option doesn’t work unless the sender loops the Snap or removes the 10-second limit. Also, you can save the pictures you take with Snapchat’s camera to your Memories and your device’s camera roll.

When someone opens your Snap, you delete it, or it disappears after 31 days without interaction. Snapchat automatically erases the data from the servers, and you could no longer recover it. You can’t contact the support team for copies of your Snaps. According to theirhelp web page, “Delete is our default.” The good news is that you can request every data recorded about you from the mobile app. Your chat media, Snap history, and Memories are included.

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Know who’s still with you

How to recover deleted Snaps via a data request

You’ll be surprised at how much information Snapchat has on you. The app collects your name, phone number, email address, Shazam history, filters or lenses you used in the past, and more. Also, your Snap and Memories histories are recorded. You may be able to retrieve your deleted Snaps if you request this data be sent to your email address from the app. Follow the steps below to get started:

How to protect your Snaps from permanent deletion

Snapchat isn’t the friendliest app when it comes to data retention. When you lose your Snaps, recovering them is not easy. However, you can take several measures to ensure it never happens again. If the above methods didn’t help you find the Snaps you’re looking for, you may need to get a little more creative. Use the following tricks to store your Snapchat media for the future.

Save Snaps in conversations

Snapchat lets you replay a Snap when you want to see it a second time. When you do that, you can’t open it again. The best way to preserve Snaps longer is to save them in the conversation as Chat Media. This way, you can revisit them anytime you want. However, this trick only works on photo Snaps set to no limit and video Snaps set to loop. If you’re not sure that the Snap you received is any of those two, look for the infinity symbol.

Take a screenshot

If a Snap means that much to you,take a screenshotof it before the timer runs out. The downside is that the other person receives a notification of the activity. To keep the Snap open long enough for this to happen, long press it.

Use Snapchat Spotlight

Snapchat Spotlight is a TikTok-like feature that helps content creators showcase their creativity, reach a wider audience than their stories, and earn revenue. When you upload Snaps to the Spotlight, they remain there indefinitely. A Spotlight post can be visible for up to two months or more. Every Snap you send to the Spotlight is visible to the public, so it may not be the wisest idea to post sensitive content there. Use the following steps to upload Snaps to the Spotlight:

Backup your Snaps

Smart Backup saves your Memories in Snapchat’s cloud storage. Hence, you can access your photos and videos when you log in to your account on any device. However, you can go the extra mile and upload them to othercloud storage options, such as Google Drive and Dropbox. If you accidentally delete a memory, you can rely on your backups to save the day.

Some third-party storage apps may require you to connect your phone to your computer via USB. Such programs tend to be OS-specific, so make sure you research which software is best for your smart device and follow the directions provided by the developer.

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Hold your Snapchat memories close

The above steps help you get your Snaps back on the Snapchat app. If you have issues with Snapchat, go through theeasy fixes in our guideto resolve those problems. If you are done getting back your Snaps and want to take a break from Snapchat,delete your Snapchat accountto erase all of your data from the platform.

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