You can download Snapchat Memories through the app itself or by requesting your data from Snapchat
Snapchat stores your saved photos and videos in a section called Memories, which lives inside the app. To download them to your phone or computer, you have two main routes: use Snapchat's built-in download feature (the fastest method), or request your full data archive from Snapchat (which takes longer but gives you everything). The built-in method works on both iPhone and Android. The data request method works on any device but can take several days.
The built-in download sends individual photos and videos straight to your phone's camera roll or gallery. The data archive request creates a complete backup file that includes all your Memories plus your message history and account details, delivered as a ZIP folder you can download to your computer.
Key Takeaways
- Open Snapchat, swipe up from the camera screen to reach Memories, then tap the download icon next to each photo or video you want to save.
- Downloaded Memories go to your phone's camera roll or photo library, where you can access them like any other photo or video.
- You can download Memories one at a time, or select multiple items at once and download them as a batch.
- If you want a complete backup of all your Snapchat data including Memories, request your data archive through Snapchat's settings, which takes three to five business days.
Download individual Memories through the Snapchat app
This is the fastest way to get specific photos or videos off Snapchat. Open the Snapchat app and swipe up from the camera screen — this opens Memories. You will see your saved snaps organized by date, with the newest at the top. Find the photo or video you want to download.
Tap and hold on the item. A menu will appear with several options. Look for the download icon (it looks like a downward arrow) and tap it. The file will save to your phone's camera roll on iPhone or your phone's photo gallery on Android. You can now access it like any other photo or video on your device.
To download multiple Memories at once, tap the three-dot menu in the top right of the Memories screen, then select "Select Multiple." Tap each item you want to download — a checkmark will appear on each one. Once you have selected all the items, tap the download icon at the bottom of the screen. All selected files will download to your camera roll or gallery at the same time.
Request your complete Snapchat data archive
If you want to download everything Snapchat has stored about you — including all Memories, messages, and account information — you can request a data download through your account settings. This creates a complete archive file that you can download to your computer. The process takes three to five business days from request to delivery.
Open Snapchat and tap your profile icon in the top left corner. Tap the settings icon (gear symbol) in the top right. Scroll down and tap "Account." Look for an option called "Download My Data" or "Data Export." Tap it and follow the prompts. Snapchat will send you an email when your data is ready. When the email arrives, it will contain a link to download your data archive. The file is typically a ZIP folder that contains all your Memories as individual image and video files, plus text files with your message history and account details. You can extract this folder on your computer and access all the files inside.
Where downloaded Memories appear on your device
On iPhone, downloaded Memories go directly to your Photos app. Open Photos and you will see them in your camera roll or in a "Recently Added" album. They appear as regular photos and videos, so you can share them, edit them, or back them up to iCloud like any other photo.
On Android, downloaded Memories go to your phone's default gallery app or photo app — usually Google Photos or the Gallery app that came with your phone. Open that app and look for a "Camera" or "Downloads" folder. Your Memories will be there as standard image and video files.
On a computer, when you download your data archive from Snapchat, the files appear in a folder on your computer in whatever location you chose during download (usually your Downloads folder). You can move them to any folder you want, back them up to cloud storage, or organize them however you prefer.
Organize and back up your downloaded Memories
Once your Memories are on your phone or computer, you can organize them like any other files. On iPhone, use the Photos app to create albums and sort by date. On Android, use Google Photos or your gallery app's folder system. On a computer, create folders by date, event, or topic and move the files into them.
To back up your downloaded Memories, use your phone's built-in cloud backup. iPhone users can turn on iCloud Photos in Settings to automatically back up everything to iCloud. Android users can turn on Google Photos backup in the Google Photos app settings. On a computer, you can copy your Memories folder to an external hard drive, upload it to Google Drive or OneDrive, or use a backup service like Backblaze.
Troubleshooting common download problems
If the download icon does not appear next to a Memory, that snap may have been saved by someone else and shared with you — you cannot download snaps that others saved. You can only download snaps that you saved yourself to Memories. If you are unsure whether you saved it, try tapping and holding on it anyway; if no menu appears, someone else saved it.
If your data archive request is taking longer than five business days, check the email address associated with your Snapchat account. Snapchat sends the download link to that email, and it may have landed in your spam or promotions folder. If you still do not see it, you can request the archive again through your account settings. If downloaded files are not appearing in your camera roll or gallery, check that Snapchat has permission to access your phone's storage. On iPhone, go to Settings > Snapchat > Photos and make sure "All Photos" or "Read and Write" is selected. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Snapchat > Permissions > Storage and make sure it is turned on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I download Snapchat Memories from someone else's account?
No. You can only download Memories that you saved yourself. If someone else saved a snap and shared it with you, you cannot download it. You can take a screenshot of it, but that is the only way to save it to your device.
Do downloaded Memories still have the Snapchat filters or effects?
Yes. When you download a Memory, it saves with all the filters, text, stickers, and effects you applied to it in Snapchat. The downloaded file is the finished version, not the original photo.
How much storage space do downloaded Memories take up?
A typical Snapchat photo is around 500 KB to 2 MB, and a video is usually 5 to 50 MB depending on length. Downloading 100 photos might use 100 to 200 MB of space, though this varies based on quality and video duration.
Can I download Memories if I delete my Snapchat account?
You can request your data archive before you delete your account, and Snapchat will send you the download link. Once your account is deleted, you cannot download Memories through the app anymore, but any archive you requested before deletion will still be available to download.
What format are downloaded Memories in?
Downloaded Memories are saved as standard image and video files — JPG or PNG for photos, and MP4 for videos. You can open them in any photo or video player on your phone or computer, and you can edit them with any photo or video editing software.