Many users wonder "Do Snapchat messages disappear automatically", how long they last, and if there's a way to recover them after they're gone. In this article, we'll walk you through how Snapchat's disappearing messages work, why they vanish under different conditions, and what you can do to prevent message loss. Plus, if your chats have already disappeared, we'll explore the best ways to recover them.
Table of Contents
Part 1: Do Snapchat Messages Automatically Disappear?
Yes, Snapchat messages are designed to disappear automatically, making conversations feel more private and temporary. By default, Snapchat messages disappear as soon as they are viewed in 24 hours. Snapchat's self-destruction message feature ensures that messages don't stay forever, however, you can still customize the timing of their disappearance.
Part 2: How Long Do Snapchat Messages Last?
The time of how long Snapchat messages will stay depends on how they were sent and whether they were saved.
By default, one-on-one chat messages disappear immediately after being viewed. However, users can adjust settings so that messages remain visible for 24 hours after being opened before they disappear. In group chats, messages are automatically deleted 24 hours after being sent, regardless of whether they were viewed.
So what if the message hasn't been opened, do Snapchat messages disappear if not opened? The answer is yes. Snapchat messages will eventually disappear even if they are not opened, though the disappear timing is different between individual and group chats.
- For one-on-one chats, unopened messages disappear after 31 days.
- For group chats, unopened messages disappear after 7 days.
- If a message is saved, it won't disappear until both the sender and recipient manually unsave it.
Snapchat's servers do not store chat history permanently, reinforcing the platform's emphasis on privacy and ephemerality.
Part 3: How to Stop Snapchat Messages from Disappearing?
Can you stop Snapchat messages from disappearing? Yes, Snapchat messages disappear after they are viewed or after a set period, however, there are ways to prevent messages from disappearing permanently or recover disappearing messages.
1. Save Messages in Chat
Manually saving a message in a chat can prevent it from disappearing, here's how:
Step 1. Open the chat where the message was sent.
Step 2. Tap and hold the message until it shows a menu.
Step 3. Select Save in Chat, this will let this message remain visible unless you or the other person unsaves it.
2. Change the Message Expiry Setting
In the one-on-one chats, you can also modify how long messages stay before they disappear to stop them from vanishing. Follow these steps to change message deletion settings:
Step 1. Open the chat with the person.
Step 2. Tap their name at the top.
Step 3. Scroll down and select Chat and Notification Settings.
Step 4. Tap Delete Chats… and choose among After Viewing, 24 Hours after Viewing, or 7 Days after Viewing.
3. Take a Screenshot (With Caution)
If you want to keep a message permanently, you can take a screenshot. However, Snapchat will notify the sender when you take a screenshot of the chat, so please use it with caution, we don't really recommend this method either.
If you're seeking an undetected method to screenshot or save Snapchat messages, there is a powerful Snapchat tracker, KidsGuard for Snapchat, that can help you with it. Just keep reading!
4. Use a Snapchat Tracker
KidsGuard for Snapchat allows you to track and save Snapchat messages before they disappear, ensuring you never lose important conversations. It can automatically save Snapchat messages sent to you, even if they will disappear after viewing or a set period. If you're a new user and don't know much about this software, you can try its advanced features with a 3-day free trial.

KidsGuard for Snapchat – Best Snapchat Tracker
- Recover the disappearing Snapchat messages to stop them from vanishing.
- Allow you to download Snap stories to your device.
- Screenshot Snapchat online activities in real-time.
- View private Snapchat stories, including photos and videos.
- Track someone's Snapchat using time, analyzing daily and weekly usage in detail.
It's easy to use this Snapchat monitoring tool, once you complete the configurations, you can track Snapchat activities in real-time without being detected. Here's how to stop Snapchat messages from disappearing with KidsGuard for Snapchat:
Step 1. Choose an appropriate plan by clicking Try It Free. You'll receive the ClevGuard account and password in your email. Then log into the KidsGuard for Snapchat website with this account.
Step 2. On the target device, go to snap.clevguard.store in the browser. Follow the instructions to install and set up this app. You'll need to give permission to this app for a seamless experience.
Click Verify Setup to finish the configurations.
Step 3. On your device, hover your mouse over your profile picture on a PC device or tap your profile photo on a mobile device, and then choose KidsGuard for Snapchat. This will bring you to the Snapchat monitoring panel, and here, you can see the Snapchat activities on the target device. The disappearing messages are saved in the Disappearing messages tab; you can also go to the Chat tab to monitor Snapchat chats in real time.
Part 4: FAQs about Snapchat Disappeared Messages
No, blocking someone on Snapchat doesn't delete messages from the chat history on the blocked person's end. Your chat with the person will be deleted automatically from the chat list. Messages that were not saved will disappear according to Snapchat's usual rules. If you unblock the person later, the previous chat history will not be restored.
You can delete messages in a Snapchat chat manually before they disappear. Here's how:
- Open the chat and locate the message you sent.
- Long-press this message.
- Select Delete and confirm.
If your saved Snapchat messages are disappearing, it could be due to the following reasons:
- The other person unsaved the message: Snapchat messages must be saved by both sides to remain in chat. If the other person unsaves it, it will disappear.
- A Snapchat glitch or update: Sometimes, saved messages may vanish due to app glitches. Updating or reinstalling the app may resolve this issue.
- Account deletion: If the person you were chatting with deletes their Snapchat account, the entire conversation may disappear.
No, Snapchat does not keep a permanent history of messages. Once messages disappear (unless saved), they are removed from Snapchat's servers. However, Snapchat may temporarily store unopened messages for up to 30 days before deleting them. If you want to keep a record of your messages, consider saving them in chat or using third-party monitoring tools like KidsGuard for Snapchat.
Conclusion
Snapchat messages disappear within 24 hours after being viewed or remain saved depending on Snapchat's settings and user actions. For people who experience messages disappearing, even after saving them, using a professional Snapchat monitoring tool can solve this issue. It can record all Snapchat messages, even if they disappear, allowing you to recover them anytime.
