How to Update Snapchat on iPhone, Android and Fire Tablets

Updating fixes more Snapchat problems than anything else. Snapchat's own help pages for missing Memories, a Recap that won't load and missing features all start with the same step: get the latest version.

Below are the steps for every device, how to stop having to do it by hand, and what to do when the update doesn't bring the feature you were hoping for. The steps come from Snapchat Support and Google Play Help, read in October 2026.

How to update Snapchat on iPhone

Snapchat Support gives these steps for a manual update on iOS:

1. Open the App Store.
2. Tap your profile icon at the top of the screen.
3. Scroll to see pending updates and release notes.
4. Tap Update next to Snapchat.

If the update won't install, Snapchat suggests contacting Apple Support, because the App Store handles the download, not Snapchat.

How to update Snapchat on Android

Google Play Help gives the steps for updating one app:

1. Open the Google Play Store app.
2. At the top right, tap the profile icon.
3. Tap Manage apps and device.
4. Under Updates available, tap See details.
5. Tap Update next to Snapchat.

Google adds two tips worth knowing. Some updates ask for new permissions, so you may get a notification asking you to accept them. And you may need to restart your phone for an update to finish. If there's an update waiting, the Update button also shows on Snapchat's Details page in the Play Store.

How to update Snapchat on an Amazon Fire tablet

1. Open the Amazon Appstore.
2. Search for Snapchat.
3. Tap Install or Update.

How to make Snapchat update itself

On Android you can set it once and forget it. Google Play Help gives two ways.

What you want	Steps from Google Play Help
Every app updates automatically	Play Store, profile picture, Settings, Network preferences, Auto-update apps, then choose an option
Only Snapchat updates automatically	Play Store, profile picture, Manage apps and device, Manage, tap Snapchat, tap More, turn on Enable auto update

For the whole-phone setting, Google offers four choices: update over Wi-Fi or mobile data, update with a limited amount of mobile data, update over Wi-Fi only, or don't auto-update. Google also notes that if an account on your phone has a sign-in error, apps may not update automatically.

Updated, but the new feature still isn't there?

This is normal, and Snapchat says so. Its help page explains that there's sometimes a short wait before a new feature reaches everyone, so even with the latest version you might not see it yet. Snapchat's advice is to hang in there and keep checking the App Store or Google Play for the latest update.

In other words, nobody at Snapchat Support can switch a feature on for you early. Keep the app updated and it'll arrive when your account gets it.

When to update first, before anything else

Snapchat's own fixes keep coming back to updating. It's the first step Snapchat gives when Memories go missing or won't load, when your Snapchat Recap is slow, and when a feature you've heard about hasn't appeared. It's also worth doing before you try harder fixes for Snapchat login problems or Snapchat not playing sound.

If you've updated and the app still misbehaves, clearing the cache is the next safe step. Snapchat says it won't delete your Memories, Snaps or Chats. Here's how to clear the Snapchat cache.

How to check you're on the latest version

You don't need to look up version numbers. If Snapchat has an update waiting, Google says the Update button appears on the app's Details page in the Play Store, and on iPhone it shows in the pending updates list under your App Store profile. If you see Open instead of Update, you're already on the newest version available to you.

It's also worth reading the release notes while you're there. Apple shows them next to pending updates, and they're often the only place Snapchat mentions what's changed.

If Snapchat won't install or update at all

Snapchat sends Android users to Google's app install troubleshooting tips, the Google Play Community or the phone's manufacturer, and iPhone users to Apple Support. That's because the store, not Snapchat, handles the download. Common causes on Android, according to Google, are a pending permission request and a sign-in error on an account on the phone.

My verdict

Update Snapchat before you try any other fix, because Snapchat's own help pages put it first almost every time. On Android, switch on Enable auto update for Snapchat so you never have to think about it again. And if a new feature still hasn't shown up after updating, don't reinstall or log out: Snapchat rolls features out gradually, so it'll arrive on its own.

Frequently asked questions

How do I update Snapchat on my iPhone?

Open the App Store, tap your profile icon at the top, scroll to pending updates and tap Update next to Snapchat.

How do I update Snapchat on Android?

Open the Google Play Store, tap your profile icon, tap Manage apps and device, tap See details under Updates available, then tap Update next to Snapchat.

Can Snapchat update automatically?

On Android, yes. In the Play Store, open Snapchat's Details page, tap More and turn on Enable auto update, or turn on Auto-update apps for every app in Settings.

Why is a new Snapchat feature missing after I update?

Snapchat says there's sometimes a short wait before a new feature is available to everyone. Keep the app updated and it should arrive.

Do I need to restart my phone after updating Snapchat?

Sometimes. Google Play Help says you may need to restart your device for an update to finish, and some updates ask you to accept new permissions first.

How do I update Snapchat on a Fire tablet?

Open the Amazon Appstore, search for Snapchat and tap Install or Update. Snapchat Support gives these steps for Fire devices.

Does updating Snapchat delete my Memories?

Snapchat's help pages recommend updating as the first fix when Memories are missing, and say clearing the cache won't delete Memories, Snaps or Chats.