To unsend a Snap on Snapchat, open the chat, press and hold the Snap and tap Delete. It works whether the Snap is delivered or already opened. Your friend will still see a note that something was deleted, and anything they screenshotted first stays with them.
Snapchat doesn't use the word unsend. The option is called Delete, and it's hiding behind a long press. It works on Snaps and on typed messages in a chat, but it isn't invisible, and that's the part worth knowing before you rely on it.
Unsend a Snap or message in a chat
- Swipe right from the camera to open the Chat screen.
- Open the conversation with the Snap or message you want gone.
- Press and hold on it.
- Tap Delete.
Snapchat says you can do this when the Snap shows as Delivered, and also once it's been opened by one person or by everyone in the conversation. So even if they've seen it, you can still pull it back out of the chat.
What your friend sees after you delete
| Question | Snapchat's answer |
|---|---|
| Will they know I deleted something? | Yes. Friends can see that a Snap or message was deleted in Chat |
| Can they still have a copy? | Yes, if they took a screenshot before you deleted it |
| Is it removed straight away? | Snapchat tries to remove it from its servers and their device |
| Can it fail? | It might not work right away if they've a bad connection or an old app version |
| Can I delete their messages? | No. You can only delete what you sent |
That fourth row catches people out. Snapchat says that if someone's on a poor connection or running an older version of the app, the deleted Snap may still appear for a brief moment. Delete is a strong request, not a guarantee.
Do you even need to unsend it?
Sometimes the kindest thing is to leave it. Snapchat says its servers are designed to delete one-to-one and group Snaps once everyone has viewed them, and to delete unopened Snaps after 31 days. Typed chats go by default 24 hours after everyone's seen them, or 31 days after sending if that comes first. Deleting a Snap adds a visible notice to the chat, which can draw more attention than the Snap itself would have got.
The exception is a chat someone has saved, replied to or reacted to. Snapchat keeps those longer, so if a friend has already saved your message, deleting is the only way to take it out of the conversation.
Unsending in a group chat
The same long press works in groups. Snapchat lets you delete a Snap once it's been opened by one member or by all of them, so you aren't locked out just because someone got there first. Bear in mind that every member sees the deleted notice, and in a big group there's a far higher chance someone grabbed a screenshot. If it was meant for one person, delete it from the group and send it to them directly.
Fix a typo instead of deleting
If the problem is a spelling mistake rather than the whole message, editing is gentler. Snapchat lets you edit a typed chat within 5 minutes of sending it. Press and hold the chat, tap Edit Chat, make the change and tap the tick. Your friend will see an (Edited) stamp, which is far less dramatic than a deleted notice. Snapchat says Snapchat+ members get early access, so if you don't see Edit Chat yet, it hasn't reached your account.
Pulling a Snap off your Story
Posted something to your Story you regret? That's a different route:
- Tap your Bitmoji or Story icon to open My Account.
- Tap the Story with the Snap in it.
- Swipe up on the Snap, tapping forward first if there are several.
- Tap the bin icon and then Delete.
On a Private or Shared Story you created, Snapchat lets you delete other people's Snaps too. On someone else's shared Story, you can only remove the ones you added. And whoever created a Story can save the whole thing to their Memories at any time, so speed matters.
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If you'd rather keep a Story than delete it, my guide to saving a Snapchat Story shows how before it expires.
When you can't delete a message
- It's their message, not yours. Snapchat doesn't let you delete what other people sent.
- You've blocked them. Once you block someone, you can't see that chat any more, so you can't delete from it. Unsend first, then block. If you've already blocked them, unblocking them on Snapchat brings the chat back into view, although some history may not return.
- It's already been captured. Snapchat is upfront that anyone who sees your messages can save them, whether by screenshot, other software or simply a photo of their screen on a second phone.
What I'd tell a friend
Delete fast, and don't expect it to be secret. Snapchat shows a deleted notice, so the other person will know something was there, and a screenshot can't be undone. If it's a small slip, edit it within the five-minute window instead. If it's something you'd hate to see again, the safest unsend is the one you never need: think for two seconds before you hit send, especially in group chats where more people can grab it.
Frequently asked questions
Can you unsend a Snap on Snapchat?
Yes. Press and hold the Snap in the chat and tap Delete. Snapchat calls it delete rather than unsend.
Does Snapchat tell the other person when you delete a Snap?
Yes. Snapchat says friends can see that a Snap or message was deleted in Chat.
Can I unsend a Snap after it's been opened?
Yes. Snapchat lets you delete a Snap that's delivered or already opened by one or all members of the chat.
How do I unsend a message on Snapchat?
Press and hold the message in the chat and tap Delete. If it's just a typo, you can edit it within 5 minutes instead.
Why did my deleted Snap still show for my friend?
Snapchat says deletion might not work right away if they've a bad connection or an old version of the app.
