Accidentally cleared a Snapchat chat and now wish you could get it back? You’re not alone. Many users don’t realize how important a conversation is until it disappears — whether it was a work-related message, a saved memory, or a piece of information you needed later. Since Snapchat is designed to auto-delete messages, it may seem impossible to recover deleted Snapchat messages on iPhone without backup or retrieve Snapchat chat history after deletion on Android without root or computer.
In this guide, you’ll learn every realistic method to view old Snapchat messages — including free options, official recovery methods, and advanced tools that work without backup, without a computer, and even online. Whether you deleted a chat manually, lost messages after reinstalling the app, or switched phones, you’ll find the solution that fits your situation below.
Part 1. Quick Comparison Table: Snapchat Message Recovery Methods
Here’s a preview of the different workable solutions for recovering deleted Snapchat messages.
Part 2. Can You Really Recover Snapchat Messages on iPhone/Android?
Snapchat is built for auto-deleting messages — one-on-one chats disappear after viewing, group messages vanish in 24 hours, and even saved messages can be manually removed. Once deleted, they don’t stay on Snapchat’s servers or in iCloud/iTunes backups.
So, is recovery still possible?
Yes — but only in certain conditions. Depending on your situation, you may still retrieve data from:
- iCloud or iTunes backups (iPhone only, only if chats were saved before deletion)
- Snapchat My Data request (provides saved chat logs and metadata, not unsaved messages)
- Third-party Snapchat recovery tools like Eassiy iPhone Data Recovery (can scan for deleted fragments that haven’t been overwritten)
In short: you can recover deleted Snapchat messages, but success depends on whether the data still exists in backups, account history, or device storage.
Part 3. Choose the Right Method Based on Your Situation
We have already previewed the five scenarios that should help you choose the proper method of recovering deleted Snapchat messages on your iPhone/Android phone.
Scenario 1: No Backup & Need Fast Recovery → Use Third-Party Tools
Third-party tools offer quick recovery solutions without the need for a backup. If you are looking to recover Snapchat messages on an iPhone without a backup, Eassiy iPhone Data Recovery is a safe and reliable tool. Eassiy works even if the messages are not saved, as long as they are not overwritten. It can recover deleted message fragments, cached previews, and media traces.
Steps to use Eassiy:
The software is not available on the App Store. Visit Eassiy’s official website to download it and install it on your PC.
Connect your iPhone to your computer. Open the software interface, select “iPhone Data Recovery,” then click on “Recover from iOS device.”
Click “Start Scan” to allow the tool to scan your iPhone for deleted Snapchat messages and other missing data.
Your lost files will appear on the screen. Select the Snapchat messages you want to recover and click “Recover” to restore them to your computer.
Scenario 2: Have iCloud Backup → Restore Deleted Snapchat Messages from iCloud
You can recover Snapchat messages on your iPhone using iCloud backup if you had saved them before they were deleted.
Caution:
- Recovering Snapchat messages from iCloud backup erases your existing iPhone data and replaces it with the backup.
- Therefore, ensure to back up your current data if needed.
Steps:
Step 1: Go to your iPhone settings. Tap your name > iCloud > iCloud backup. It enables you to check whether a backup exists before the Snapchat messages are deleted.
Step 2: Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
Step 3: Tap Erase All Content and Settings. If prompted, enter your passcode and Apple ID password. Your iPhone will restart.
Step 4: Follow the on-screen setup instructions. When you come to Apps & Data, select Restore from iCloud Backup.
Step 5: Sign in with your Apple ID and select a date before the deletion. The recovery takes time.
Step 6: Once the process is over, launch the Snapchat app and log in. Navigate to the relevant chat. It should be available if the messages were saved and backed up.
Scenario 3: Have iTunes/Finder Backup → Restore via Computer
Here is an alternative method. Use your computer to recover Snapchat messages iPhone from iTunes backup. However, this method works only if you have saved your messages and backed them up before deletion.
Caution:
- Please ensure to back up your current data because this process replaces all existing iPhone data with the backup.
Windows or macOS (Mojave or earlier) – Use iTunes macOS (Catalina or later) – Use Finder
Steps:
Step 1: Connect your iPhone to your computer. Open iTunes/Finder and select the device when it appears.
Step 2: Go to the General or Summary tab and check the latest backup date. It should be before the date of Snapchat message deletion.
Step 3: Though optional, we recommend this step. Click Back Up Now to save your current iPhone state.
Step 4: Click “Restore Backup” and choose a date before your Snapchat messages were deleted.
Step 5: Click restore and enter the device passcode if prompted. Your iPhone will restart after the restoration process.
Step 6: Launch the Snapchat app and log in. Check your restored messages.
Scenario 4: Want an Official Way → Use Snapchat My Data Request
Let us explore the official way to recover Snapchat messages iPhone with My Data Request. This method is helpful for retrieving metadata, saved chat logs, and account activity. However, the waiting time can extend from a couple of hours to even several days.
Steps
Step 1: Open your browser and go to https://accounts.snapchat.com/accounts/downloadmydata.
Step 2: Log in to your Snapchat account using your account credentials and complete the two-factor authentication process.
Step 3: You will see a list of data types that Snapchat can export, such as saved chat history, snap history (metadata only), and Bitmoji data, among others.
Step 4: Click “Submit Request,” and Snapchat will prepare your data archive.
Step 5: The process can take anywhere from a few minutes to a couple of hours. You will receive an email from Snapchat when your data is ready.
Step 6: Click on the link in the email and download the ZIP file containing your data archive.
Step 7: Unzip the file on your PC. Open the HTML or CSV files to view saved chats, timestamps, and other metadata.
Snapchat does not retain unsaved messages or media. Once a message or snap is not saved, it is permanently deleted from the server and cannot be recovered through the app.
Scenario 5: Android Users → Recover via Cache or File Manager
To recover deleted Snapchat messages on Android, you can try retrieving them through the Cache or File Manager method.
Cache Method:
Android apps temporarily store data in cache folders to enhance performance. These folders may contain message fragments, thumbnails, or media previews from recently viewed messages.
Steps:
Step 1: Open your device’s File Manager.
Step 2: Navigate to Internal Storage > Android > data > com.snapchat.android > cache.
Step 3: Look for files with extensions such as .nomedia, .jpg, .mp4, or .txt.
Step 4: Rename .nomedia files to .jpg to view their contents.
Step 5: Use an image or video viewer app to inspect the recovered content.
File Manager Method:
This method involves manually browsing Snapchat’s app directories using a file manager to locate residual data, such as saved snaps, exported files, or received media.
Steps:
Step 1: Open File Manager.
Step 2: Navigate to Internal Storage > Android > data > com.snapchat.android > files.
Step 3: Look inside folders like received_image_snaps, sent_image_snaps, or snap_media.
Step 4: Check for media files or message logs.
Step 5: Copy or export recoverable files to a safe location.
Part 4. How to Save Snapchat Messages on iPhone (Prevent Future Loss)
The following steps will help you know how to save Snapchat messages iPhone.
Step 1: Open Snapchat. Go to the chat with the person whose message you want to save.
Step 2: Tap and Hold the Message you want to keep.
Step 3: A pop-up will appear. Tap “Save in Chat.”
Step 4: The message is now highlighted in gray, indicating it is saved.
Step 5: Saved messages remain until you or the other person unsaves them.
Note: Saved messages are stored on Snapchat’s servers and included in iCloud/iTunes backups if the app data is backed up.
Let us understand Snapchat’s message behavior.
Part 5. Extra Tips to Prevent Losing Snapchat Messages
These extra tips can prevent losing Snapchat messages in the future.
1. Change Chat Settings – “Delete After Viewing to Delete After 24 hours”
2. Manually save messages and screenshots
3. Use 3rd party backup apps with caution
4. Enable iCloud Backup for Snapchat Media
5. Use Snapchat’s My Data portal to export saved chat logs.
6. Avoid reinstalling Snapchat without a backup.
7. Disable auto-cleaners or cache wipes that may erase app data.
Part 6: FAQs
- Saved Messages in Chat: Tap and hold a message > Save in Chat. It remains unless manually unsaved.
- Snapchat My Data Request: Lets you view saved data, but not unsaved messages.
- iCloud/iTunes Backup Restore: Free method but overwrites current data during recovery.
- One-on-one messages: Deleted after both users view and leave the chat.
- Group chats: Deleted after 24 hours.
- Unopened chats: Auto-deleted after 30 days.
Internal Storage > Android > data > com.snapchat.android > cache and checking for recoverable media files.
Conclusion
Snapchat’s built-in feature ensures that the messages are deleted automatically after you view them. However, you can recover deleted Snapchat messages, depending on the message type and the time elapsed since their deletion. This article explored various ways of recovering deleted Snapchat messages on iPhone and Android. Though the discussed methods have their limitations, they are helpful in an emergency.