Snapchat is a popular messaging app that lets users send photo and video messages called “snaps” that disappear after being viewed. One of Snapchat’s key features is that snaps aren’t meant to be saved permanently – they’re designed to be ephemeral experiences that users share in the moment.
However, there are ways for recipients to save snaps before they disappear, either by using third-party apps or taking screenshots. This has led to some confusion around whether snaps that get saved by recipients are still deleted from Snapchat’s servers, or if they live on forever.
In this article, we’ll dig into Snapchat’s snap saving and deletion policies to answer the question: Are saved snaps permanently deleted? We’ll look at factors like whether snaps get deleted from Snapchat’s servers after they’re opened, how long saved snaps remain accessible to the saver, and whether there are any ways to recover or restore snaps after deletion.
Are snaps deleted from Snapchat’s servers after they’re opened?
Yes, even if a snap is saved in some way by the recipient, Snapchat still deletes the snap from its servers after it’s been opened.
Here’s how the system works: When you send a snap, it gets uploaded to Snapchat’s servers until the recipient opens it. Once the recipient views the snap, Snapchat’s system deletes the snap from its servers.
This happens regardless of whether the recipient uses a third-party app to save the snap or takes a screenshot. Snapchat’s servers can’t detect if a snap gets saved before being deleted. The snap still gets permanently deleted from Snapchat’s system after being opened.
So in summary – yes, unopened snaps get deleted from Snapchat’s servers after they expire, and opened snaps also get deleted from Snapchat’s servers immediately after a recipient views them, even if the recipient saves the snap via screenshot or other methods.
How long do saved snaps remain accessible to the saver?
If a snap gets saved in some way by the recipient, whether via screenshot or a third party app, the saver will have permanent access to that saved version.
For example, if you save a snap by taking a screenshot, that screenshot will persist in your phone’s storage until you actively delete it. There is no expiration date on the saved snap like there was when you first viewed it in the Snapchat app.
The same applies if you use an app to download and save snaps – those downloaded snaps remain in the app’s storage until you delete them, and can be viewed repeatedly with no time limitations.
So while Snapchat deletes the snaps from its servers after they’re opened, recipients who save snaps have indefinite access to the saved versions. The saver ultimately decides when/if to delete their own saved copies of snaps.
Can you recover or restore deleted snaps?
Unfortunately, once a snap is deleted from Snapchat’s servers, there is no way to recover or restore it through the Snapchat app. Even Snapchat themselves cannot retrieve snaps that have been deleted.
If you did not save a snap via screenshot or third party app before opening it, and it has now disappeared from the Snapchat app, that snap is permanently deleted and cannot be retrieved.
Snapchat states this clearly in their law enforcement guide: “Snapchat deletes each Snap from our servers once all recipients have viewed it. If a Snap has not been viewed by all recipients, and those recipients do not save the Snap in some way (e.g., taking a screenshot) before it disappears, then that Snap will be deleted from our servers.”
The only hope of seeing a deleted snap again is if the sender still has access to it in their Snapchat Memories, and decides to re-share it. But without saving or re-sharing from the sender, there is no way to recover an opened snap that has been deleted by Snapchat’s system.
Can law enforcement or Snapchat recover deleted snaps?
Law enforcement agencies also have no way to recover deleted snaps from Snapchat. According to Snapchat’s law enforcement guide:
“Thetruncation, deleting upon-viewing, and deletion-by-default features of Snapchat mean that we do not retain Snaps for users. And because Snapchat deletes each Snap once all recipients have viewed it, we have no way to retrieve Snaps after deletion.”
Snapchat emphasizes that their system is designed so that data is deleted instantly, with no way for them to forensically restore or retrieve it once it’s gone.
As for the company itself – Snapchat has stated that they do not have access to view user snaps. They stressed that their system is set up this way intentionally to maintain user privacy and security.
So in summary – neither law enforcement nor Snapchat themselves can recover permanently deleted snaps. The data is engineered to be unrecoverable once a snap gets deleted from their servers after viewing.
The only way to “recover” a deleted snap
Basically, the only way to regain access to a snap after it’s deleted from Snapchat’s servers is if either:
A) You saved the snap via screenshot or third party app before opening it. This allows you permanent access to that saved version.
B) The sender still has the snap in their Snapchat Memories, and decides to reshare it with you.
But without one of the above scenarios, a viewed snap that gets deleted from Snapchat’s servers is essentially gone for good. No method exists to forensically restore or retrieve that deleted data.
Conclusion
To summarize the key points:
– Snapchat deletes all opened snaps from their servers immediately after they are viewed, regardless of whether the recipient saved the snap via screenshot or third party app.
– Recipients who save snaps have permanent access to the saved versions, but Snapchat’s servers still delete the original after it’s opened.
– There is no way to recover a deleted snap from Snapchat’s servers once it’s gone. Neither law enforcement nor Snapchat can retrieve deleted snaps.
– The only hope of seeing a deleted snap again is if you saved it before opening, or the sender decides to re-share from Snapchat Memories.
So in the end, while saving methods allow snap recipients to keep copies indefinitely, the snaps still get permanently deleted from Snapchat’s system after they are opened. This prevents Snapchat or others from recovering the deleted snaps later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Snapchat employees see my deleted snaps?
No, Snapchat employees and staff do not have the technical ability to access or view deleted snaps. Snapchat’s system is designed to instantly delete snaps from their servers after they are viewed, with no data retention or recovery methods. So there is no way for Snapchat staff to retrieve snaps after they are deleted.
What if law enforcement needs to see a deleted snap for an investigation?
Unfortunately deleted snaps cannot be recovered, even for law enforcement investigations. Snapchat emphasizes that their system deletes all viewed snaps permanently in a way that prevents forensic data recovery. So there is no way for law enforcement or Snapchat to provide deleted snaps as evidence, even with a valid warrant or subpoena. Recipients must save snaps before opening them in order to preserve the content.
Can I use data recovery software to restore deleted snaps?
Data recovery programs are designed to restore deleted files from storage devices like hard drives or memory cards. However, they cannot retrieve data deleted from Snapchat’s remote servers. Since viewed snaps are instantly deleted from Snapchat’s cloud servers, there is no way for data recovery software to bring back that deleted content. The data no longer exists in any accessible storage location after Snapchat’s servers delete it.
What if my phone is broken – can Snapchat restore my saved snaps?
If you saved snaps via screenshot or a third party app, and those snaps were stored locally on your phone, then a phone breaking means you may lose access to the saved copies. Snapchat’s servers still delete the original snaps after they’re viewed, so the company cannot restore snaps saved only to your phone. Your only option is to repair the phone to try recovering data stored on it before it broke.
The benefits of ephemeral messaging
While Snapchat’s impermanent approach to photo messaging may seem limiting compared to platforms like Instagram or Facebook where posts remain accessible indefinitely, there are some unique benefits to ephemeral messaging:
- It encourages authentic, unfiltered sharing, since you don’t have to worry about how the snap will impact your profile or reputation later.
- There’s a sense of urgency and excitement when viewing snaps that expire quickly.
- It avoids the buildup of old photos that may later become embarrassing or irrelevant.
- You can share moments in the now without cluttering camera rolls for the future.
- It makes conversations feel lighter, more casual, and intimate.
The temporary nature of snaps creates a unique Snapchat environment built on living in the moment. And while recipients can choose to save certain snaps more permanently, overall the ephemeral approach makes the platform about sharing spontaneous fun that disappears as quickly as it came.
Snapchat’s safety from data hackers and leaks
In addition to creating enjoyment through ephemeral sharing, Snapchat’s automatic deletion of messages also offers increased privacy and safety:
- Snaps don’t linger on servers where they could be targeted in hacks or data breaches.
- Deleted snaps can’t be accessed illegally by malicious actors.
- Users avoid having embarrassing or sensitive photos resurface years later.
- There’s protection against content spreading beyond intended recipients.
- You have control over whether recipients can save your snaps.
- Law enforcement can’t access deleted snaps even with a warrant.
While no messaging system is completely infallible, Snapchat’s commitment to deleting data offers more reassurance than platforms allowing indefinite retention. The company takes pride in trying to live up to the impermanence users expect when sharing snaps.
