The fastest way to block Snapchat
You can block Snapchat on your iPhone in three ways: delete the app entirely, use Screen Time to prevent it from opening, or restrict it through parental controls if you are setting this up for someone else. The method you choose depends on whether you want the app gone completely, temporarily locked, or blocked for another person on the device.
If you own the iPhone and want Snapchat off your device right now, deleting the app takes 10 seconds. If you want to keep the app but stop yourself from using it, Screen Time is faster than uninstalling and reinstalling repeatedly. If you are a parent setting boundaries for a child's device, parental controls give you the most oversight.
Key Takeaways
- Deleting Snapchat from your home screen removes the app but leaves your account and data intact on Snapchat's servers.
- Screen Time lets you block Snapchat from opening without deleting it, and you can set time limits or require a passcode to use it.
- Parental controls through Family Sharing let a parent or guardian block Snapchat on a child's device and monitor what apps are installed.
- If you forget your Screen Time passcode, you will need to erase the iPhone and set it up again — Apple cannot reset it for you.
Delete Snapchat completely from your iPhone
Deleting the app removes Snapchat from your device but does not delete your account. Your messages, photos, and account information stay on Snapchat's servers. If you reinstall the app later, you can log back in and everything will be there.
To delete Snapchat, press and hold the Snapchat icon on your home screen until a menu appears. Tap Remove App, then tap Remove from Home Screen to just hide it, or tap Remove App again and confirm to delete it entirely. If you choose Remove from Home Screen, the app stays on your iPhone but disappears from view — you can still find it in the App Library by swiping to the last home screen and searching.
If you want to make sure you cannot reinstall it by accident, use Screen Time instead (see the next section). Deleting alone does not prevent you from downloading it again later.
Block Snapchat with Screen Time
Screen Time lets you lock Snapchat so it will not open unless you enter a passcode. This is useful if you want to keep the app on your phone but prevent yourself from using it during work, school, or bedtime.
Open Settings, tap Screen Time, then tap App Limits. Tap Add Limit, find and tap Snapchat, set the time limit to 1 minute, and tap Add. When the 1-minute limit runs out, Snapchat will ask for your Screen Time passcode before you can use it. You can also set different limits for weekdays and weekends.
If you want to block Snapchat completely rather than just limit it, go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions, turn on Content & Privacy Restrictions, tap Allowed Apps, and toggle off Snapchat. The app will become unusable until you toggle it back on and enter your Screen Time passcode.
Your Screen Time passcode is separate from your Apple ID password. Write it down somewhere safe — if you forget it, you cannot reset it without erasing your entire iPhone.
Use parental controls to block Snapchat on someone else's iPhone
If you are a parent or guardian setting up an iPhone for a child, you can block Snapchat through Family Sharing. This gives you control over what apps can be installed and used on that device.
On your own iPhone, open Settings, tap your name at the top, then tap Family Sharing. Tap the child's name, then tap Screen Time. Tap App Limits and add Snapchat with a 1-minute limit, or go to Content & Privacy Restrictions > Allowed Apps and toggle off Snapchat entirely. You can also set App Store Purchases to require your approval before the child can download any app.
The child will see that Snapchat is restricted on their device and cannot remove the restriction without your Screen Time passcode. If Snapchat is already installed, toggling it off in Allowed Apps will prevent it from opening but will not delete it from the device.
What happens to your Snapchat account when you block the app
Blocking or deleting Snapchat on your iPhone does not close your account or delete your messages. Your account stays active on Snapchat's servers, and other people can still send you messages — you just will not receive notifications or be able to read them from your phone.
If you want to permanently delete your Snapchat account, you need to do that through the Snapchat app or website before you block it. Once the app is blocked or deleted, you cannot access your account settings from your iPhone. Go to snapchat.com, log in, and look for account deletion in the settings menu. Snapchat will give you a 30-day window to change your mind before the account is fully erased.
Unblock Snapchat if you change your mind
If you blocked Snapchat with Screen Time and want to use it again, open Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Allowed Apps and toggle Snapchat back on. You will need to enter your Screen Time passcode.
If you deleted the app, open the App Store, search for Snapchat, and tap Get to download it again. You can then log back into your account with your username and password.
If a parent blocked Snapchat on your device through Family Sharing, you cannot unblock it yourself — you will need to ask the parent or guardian to change the setting on their iPhone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Snapchat know I blocked the app?
No. Snapchat cannot tell whether you deleted the app, blocked it with Screen Time, or simply stopped using it. Your account remains active, and you will not appear offline to your contacts. If you want to signal that you are taking a break, you can change your status or message your friends directly.
Can I block Snapchat but keep other apps open?
Yes. Screen Time lets you block individual apps without affecting the rest of your phone. Set a 1-minute limit on Snapchat alone, or toggle it off in Allowed Apps while leaving everything else on. Other apps will work normally.
What if I forget my Screen Time passcode?
Apple cannot reset your Screen Time passcode. Your only option is to erase your iPhone completely and set it up again from scratch. If you have a backup, you can restore from it after erasing, but Screen Time settings will come back with the same passcode. To avoid this, store your passcode somewhere you will not lose it.
Can my child delete Snapchat if I block it through parental controls?
No. If you toggle off Snapchat in Allowed Apps through Family Sharing, the app will not open, and your child cannot delete it or change the setting without your Screen Time passcode. They can see the app on their device but cannot use it.
Does blocking Snapchat use less battery or data?
Yes, slightly. If Snapchat is blocked and cannot run in the background, it will not drain battery or use data. The difference is usually small unless you normally use Snapchat heavily, but every bit helps on a low battery.