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Getting your data out
How to download your Snapchat data
Snapchat lets you export a full copy of your account, including your Memories, through its official My Data page. Here is how to request it, what to switch on, and how to get every file onto your phone before the links expire.
This is the prerequisite step for almost everything else: saving your Memories, fixing their dates, or just keeping a backup all start with the same official export. It is free, and you do not need any app to request it. If you specifically want your Memories in your camera roll with the dates intact, follow this page first, then the full export guide picks up where it leaves off, with screenshots for every tap.
How do I request my Snapchat data?
Open Snapchat, go to your profile, tap Settings, and scroll to My Data. You can also do it in a browser at accounts.snapchat.com. Choose what to include, confirm your email address, and submit the request. Snapchat then builds the export and emails you when it is ready to download.
Where is My Data in Snapchat?
My Data is inside Snapchat's settings: tap your profile picture, open the gear icon in the top right, and scroll down to My Data. If you cannot find it in the app, sign in at accounts.snapchat.com in any browser, where My Data is a menu item.
Should I turn on Export JSON Files?
Yes, if you care about dates and locations. The JSON files hold each memory's original capture date, time and place. Without them, your exported photos and videos are stamped with the export date and have no location. Avoid the Request Only Memories shortcut, because it leaves the JSON files out.
This one switch is the difference between a tidy archive and a pile of thousands of files all dated today. If you have already exported without it, no harm done: just request the export again with both Export your Memories and Export JSON Files turned on.
How long does the Snapchat export take?
Usually a few hours. Snapchat emails you when your export is ready. A very large library can take up to a day. If no email arrives, check your spam folder and look under My Data, Your exports, where the ready files also appear.
How long do the Snapchat download links last?
The download links expire roughly 7 days after Snapchat generates them. If they expire before you download everything, you simply request the export again. To avoid that, download all the zip files in one sitting, on Wi-Fi, as soon as the email arrives.
Why is my Snapchat data split into multiple zip files?
Snapchat splits large exports into several zip parts, named like mydata~ followed by a code. A bigger library just means more parts. Download every part; none of them is optional. Tools that import the export treat the parts together as one export.
Related: why your export has the wrong dates, and Snapchat's 5GB storage limit.
"My Data", "Export your Memories", "Export JSON Files", "Request Only Memories" and "Your exports" are labels in Snapchat's own interface, referenced here so you can find them. Memories: Save to Photos is not affiliated with Snap Inc.