To switch accounts on Snapchat, save your login for each account, then log out and tap the other account on the yellow login screen to sign in with one tap. Snapchat's help pages describe this saved-login method, not a switcher that keeps two personal accounts open at once.
Instagram spoils us with an account switcher, so it's natural to go looking for the same thing on Snapchat. What Snapchat's own help centre describes is a little different: saved logins. Each account you save sits on the login screen, and you swap by logging out of one and tapping the other. Once it's set up, it takes seconds.
Set it up once
You do this the first time you sign in to each account on your phone.
- Log in to your first account. If Snapchat asks whether you want to save your login, say yes.
- Go to Settings and log out.
- On the yellow screen, choose to log in with a different account and sign in to the second one. Save that login too.
- Both accounts now appear on the login screen whenever you're logged out.
On an iPhone there's a bonus. Snapchat says that if you saved your login on another device using the same iCloud account, your saved account may already appear on the login screen of a new iOS device.
Switching day to day
- Open Settings from the gear icon on your Profile.
- Scroll down and tap Log Out.
- On the yellow screen, tap the account you want.
- You're signed in with one tap, no password needed.
It's not as slick as a drop-down menu, but it's the route Snapchat itself supports, and it doesn't involve handing your login to a third-party app that promises otherwise.
Do this before you log out: check your Memories
This is the step people skip, and it's the one that hurts. Snapchat warns that you should always make sure your Memories are completely backed up before you log out, log in on another device or uninstall the app. Memories that hadn't finished backing up can't be recovered.
The check takes ten seconds: Settings, My App, Memories, and make sure Backup Progress says Complete. If you switch accounts often, get into the habit of glancing at this before you tap Log Out, especially after you've saved a batch of new Snaps on mobile data.
Notifications from the account you're not using
Here's something that surprises people. Snapchat says that if your account stays on the login screen for one-tap login, you may still get a limited number of reminders while you're logged out, such as unread messages or friend Story updates. They're deliberately generic and don't show what a message says or who sent a Snap.
| What you want | What to do |
|---|---|
| Reminders from the other account | Leave it saved on the login screen |
| No reminders while logged out | Remove the account from the login screen, or turn off Snapchat notifications |
| Reminders to stop on their own | Stay logged out. Snapchat says they stop after about 28 days |
Be aware that tapping one of those reminders may sign you straight back in to that account. Handy if it's yours alone, risky on a family tablet.
Removing an account from the login screen
If you've finished with an account on that phone, or you're borrowing someone's device, clear it off:
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- Log out of Snapchat.
- On the yellow screen, tap Remove account under the account you want to take off.
Snapchat's own advice for shared or friends' devices is not to save the login at all. And if you think you've left an account signed in somewhere, open Session Management at accounts.snapchat.com, or under Settings and My Account in the app. It lists every device and browser signed in and lets you log each one out.
Switching between Public Profiles is different
If what you're trying to switch between is two public-facing profiles rather than two separate accounts, Snapchat has a Profile Switcher for that. Go to your Profile, tap your display name or the little chevron next to it, and pick the profile you want. Snapchat says not everyone is eligible for more than one Public Profile, so don't worry if you don't see the option.
A few practical tips
- Use a different Bitmoji or profile photo on each account so you can tell at a glance which one you're in before you send anything.
- Turn off your active status on the account you use less, so friends don't expect replies there. My guide to turning off active status on Snapchat shows how.
- Glance at your chat list or Best Friends list after you switch. Familiar names are the quickest way to confirm you're signed in to the account you meant to use.
My verdict
Save the login for each account, check your Memories backup, then log out and tap. That's the whole trick, and it's the method Snapchat backs. I'd steer well clear of any app or website claiming to run several Snapchat accounts at once for you: they want your password, and that's never a fair swap for saving a couple of taps.
Frequently asked questions
Can you have two Snapchat accounts on one phone?
Yes. Save the login for each one and they'll both appear on the login screen, so you can swap with one tap after logging out.
How do I add an account on Snapchat?
Log out, choose to log in with another account on the yellow screen, sign in and save the login when Snapchat asks.
Why am I getting notifications from the account I logged out of?
Snapchat may send limited, generic reminders to accounts saved for one-tap login. They stop after about 28 days, or remove the account from the login screen.
Will I lose my Memories if I switch accounts?
Not if they're fully backed up. Check that Backup Progress says Complete in Settings, My App, Memories before you log out.
How do I remove an account from the Snapchat login screen?
Log out, then tap Remove account under the account on the yellow screen.
