You can change your birthday in Snapchat settings, but the app limits how often you can make the change
Snapchat lets you update your birthday through your account settings on the app itself. The process takes about two minutes. However, Snapchat restricts birthday changes — you can only modify it once every year, and the app may ask you to verify your identity before allowing the change. If you entered your birthday incorrectly when you created your account, or if you want to correct it now, here is how to do it.
The birthday you have on file controls which filters and features you can access. Snapchat uses your age to restrict certain content, so changing your birthday takes effect immediately and may unlock or lock you out of age-gated features.
Key Takeaways
- Open Snapchat, tap your profile icon, select Settings, then tap Birthday to change it directly in the app.
- Snapchat only allows you to change your birthday once per year, so make sure the date is correct before you confirm.
- If Snapchat asks you to verify your identity, you will need to provide your email address or phone number associated with the account.
- Changing your birthday may affect age-restricted features and filters, so the change takes effect immediately after you save it.
Open Snapchat and go to your profile settings
Launch the Snapchat app on your phone. Tap the profile icon in the top-left corner of the screen — it looks like a circle with your Snapchat avatar inside. This opens your profile page.
At the top of your profile, you will see your username and a gear icon in the top-right corner. Tap the gear icon to open Settings. Scroll down through the menu until you find the Birthday option. Tap it to proceed.
Enter your correct birthday and confirm the change
When you tap Birthday, Snapchat displays the date you currently have on file. You will see three fields: one for the month, one for the day, and one for the year. Tap each field and enter the correct information. Make sure you type the year carefully — this is where mistakes most often happen.
After you enter the new date, tap the checkmark or Save button to confirm. Snapchat will process the change immediately. If this is your first birthday change or if you have not changed it in the past year, the update should go through without delay.
What to do if Snapchat asks you to verify your identity
Sometimes Snapchat requires identity verification before allowing a birthday change. If a verification screen appears, Snapchat will ask you to confirm your email address or phone number. You may receive a code via email or text message that you need to enter to proceed.
Check your email inbox or text messages for a message from Snapchat. The code is usually a four-to-six-digit number. Enter it into the verification field in the app. Once Snapchat confirms your identity, you can complete the birthday change. If you do not receive a code within a few minutes, check your spam or junk folder, or request a new code through the app.
Understand Snapchat's one-change-per-year limit
Snapchat restricts birthday changes to once per year. This means after you change your birthday, you cannot change it again for 12 months. The restriction exists to prevent account misuse and to keep age-verification systems accurate.
Before you confirm your birthday change, double-check the date you entered. Look at the month, day, and year one more time. If you make a mistake and confirm it, you will be locked out of changing it again until a full year has passed. If you do make an error, you can contact Snapchat Support through the app to request an exception, though they do not always grant these requests.
How birthday changes affect your account features
Your birthday on Snapchat controls which filters and features you can access. Snapchat uses your age to restrict certain content — some filters and lenses are only available to users 18 and older. When you change your birthday, these restrictions update immediately.
If you change your birthday to a younger age, you may lose access to age-restricted filters you were using before. If you change it to an older age, you may gain access to features that were previously blocked. Your Snapchat Score and friends list remain unchanged — only your access to age-gated content is affected.
Troubleshooting if the change does not go through
If you tap Save and the birthday does not change, first check that you have the most recent version of Snapchat installed. Open your phone's app store, search for Snapchat, and tap Update if one is available. Outdated versions sometimes have bugs that prevent settings changes.
If updating does not work, try closing the app completely and reopening it. On iPhone, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to close Snapchat. On Android, open your Recent Apps menu and swipe Snapchat away. Wait 10 seconds, then reopen the app and try the birthday change again. If the problem persists, sign out of your account, wait a few minutes, and sign back in before attempting the change once more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my birthday more than once a year?
No. Snapchat only allows one birthday change per calendar year. After you change your birthday, you cannot change it again for 12 months. Plan your change carefully and verify the date before confirming.
What happens if I entered the wrong year when I created my account?
You can still change it using the same process described above. Go to Settings, tap Birthday, enter the correct year, and save. The one-change-per-year limit applies, so make sure the new date is accurate before you confirm.
Will changing my birthday affect my Snapchat friends or my score?
No. Your friends list and Snapchat Score stay the same. Only your access to age-restricted filters and features changes based on your new birthday. Your friends will not see a notification that you changed your birthday.
What if I do not remember my birthday and need to change it?
If you cannot remember the birthday you entered, contact Snapchat Support through the app. Go to Settings, scroll to Support, and tap Contact Us. Explain that you need to update your birthday and do not remember the original date. Support can help you verify your identity and make the change.
Does Snapchat verify that the birthday I enter is real?
Snapchat does not verify your birthday against government records. The app trusts the information you provide. However, Snapchat may ask for identity verification through email or phone number to confirm you own the account before allowing the change.