How-To

How to Deactivate Snapchat

By Ben Stockton

Published April 16, 2024

If you want a Snapchat detox, you can deactivate your account for 30 days, or let it close for good. This guide explains how to do it.

Snapchat is an app that I’ve not yet found a reason to get rid of. I still use it to send funny snaps to my girlfriend, but other than that, it isn’t an app that I use too much these days. I’ve thought about deactivating Snapchat in the past—I’ve even done it, once or twice, before restoring my account.

As I discovered, you can deactivate your Snapchat account for up to thirty days. After that, your account is gone for good. If you’re looking for how to deactivate Snapchat, follow this guide to get started.

How to Deactivate Your Snapchat Account on Mobile Devices

As I’ve mentioned, temporary deactivation allows you to delete your Snapchat account with a 30-day grace period. After that period is up, all of your personal data (including your friends, Bitmojis, group chats, and more) will be gone forever.

If you have a Snapchat Plus subscription, make sure that this is canceled before you delete your account. It should stop automatically, but checking yourself first is a good idea. If your subscription has only recently been renewed, you won’t be refunded for the days you don’t use while your account is deactivated.

You can’t deactivate your account in the Snapchat app. However, you can do it via the website using your web browser on your mobile device. To deactivate Snapchat on your mobile device, use these steps.

1. Open a web browser on your mobile browser and visit the Snapchat account settings page.
2. Sign in using your account details.
3. Once you’ve signed in, scroll through the menu and tap Delete my account.
   
4. Type in your Snapchat username and password, then tap Continue.
   
5. Follow any additional on-screen instructions to complete the process.

Once your account is deactivated, you’ll be signed out in the browser and the Snapchat mobile app. You’ll have thirty days to restore your account (if you decide you want to), which you can do by signing in again at any point.

While your account is deactivated, your friends won’t be able to contact you on Snapchat. After the 30-day period is complete, your account will be permanently deleted—you won’t be able to restore it.

How to Deactivate Your Snapchat Account From a PC or Mac

To deactivate your Snapchat account using your PC or Mac, follow these steps.

1. Open the Snapchat account settings page in your web browser.
2. Sign in using your account details.
3. Next, scroll to the bottom and click the Delete my account option.
   
4. In the deletion menu, type in your username and password, then click Continue to proceed.
   
5. Follow any additional on-screen instructions to complete the process.

Once your account is deactivated, you’ll be signed out of the Snapchat website, as well as the app on your mobile devices. You’ll have a 30-day window (starting from the day you deactivate) to reactivate your account before it’s permanently deleted.

Once deactivated, you won’t be able to use Snapchat to send or receive messages, and other users won’t be able to view your profile (including your public profile). To reactivate, simply log back in with your username and password in the Snapchat app or on the website.

Managing Your Snapchat Account

Don’t make a decision in haste—use the full thirty days that Snapchat gives you to decide whether or not you want to deactivate Snapchat temporarily or lose it for good. I’ve deactivated a few times to give myself a break, but I’ve always found myself signing back in again to send a funny snap or two.

There’s no limit to how many times you deactivate your account. However, if you’ve signed in using a browser or device that Snapchat doesn’t recognize, you might be blocked from doing it. This block is usually only temporary, so if it happens to you, you’ll need to wait 72 hours before you try and schedule your account for deactivation again.