Skip to main content

How to delete Snapchat messages

companies advertise on snapchat for super bowl 50 how to use
Image used with permission by copyright holder

If you’ve ever sent a message to someone and wish you could delete it, Snapchat has a feature you’ll like. Yes, it lets you delete Snapchat messages you’ve already sent. Don’t get too excited though, as there are some limitations that can make its usefulness iffy at best. Here’s what you need to know.

Recommended Videos

Difficulty

Easy

Duration

5 minutes

What You Need

  • Smartphone with Snapchat app

How to delete Snapchat messages

Deleting Snapchat messages, like replaying Snaps, is literally a snap.

Step 1: Hold your finger down on the offending message. Then, a menu like the one below will pop up.

Step 2: Tap Delete and then Delete Chat and you are done with your part. This works with one-on-one chats and group chats, too.

how to delete snapchat messages
Image used with permission by copyright holder
snapchat offline data ads mem 2v2
Image used with permission by copyright holder

What happens next

Once your chat message is deleted on your end, that’s not the end of things. Snapchat says that it will try to delete the message from its servers and from your friend’s chat screen, but it doesn’t always work. For example, if your friend has poor internet service when you delete the message, Snapchat may not be able to delete the message from your friend’s side of the conversation until they have better service. This means they may see the message. If they have an older version of Snapchat, your message may be stuck on their screen as well.

Also, it will be obvious something was deleted. This is because a message posts on your side of the chat when you delete a message. Your friend will also get a message that something was deleted. Being sneaky using Snapchat is really hard.

How to delete all the messages

Want to go further than just one message? You can delete the whole conversation, too — sort of.

Step 1: Go to the Friends screen.

Step 2: Hold your finger down on the message thread you want to delete.

Step 3: A menu will pop up. Choose More and then tap Clear Conversation History.

This will remove the conversation from your Friends screen. It won’t delete sent or saved messages, but it’s a good way to declutter your Friends screen so you can find more important conversations more easily.

Alina Bradford
Alina Bradford has been a tech, lifestyle and science writer for more than 20 years. Her work is read by millions each month…
Some Samsung phones now have satellite messaging in the U.S. Here’s how to get it
The back of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.

Before Samsung launched the Galaxy S24 series in January, there were rumors that the new phones would include satellite messaging, similar to the feature available on Apple's newer models. While this feature was not included at the launch, it's now finally rolling out for some users.

According to SamMobile, some Galaxy S24 and Galaxy Z Fold 6 users in the U.S. are now starting to receive this feature.

Read more
How to use Android 16’s new Notification Cooldown setting
Someone holding a phone showing the Android 16 logo on its screen.

Managing notifications is no easy task, especially when one tries to maintain the delicate balance between a no-interruption work mindset and the fear of missing out on important alerts. This not only applies to personal communication, but workplace interactions as well. A barrage of notifications can be overwhelming, especially if there are active group chats or users are working across multiple professional circles.

Read more
Your Oura Ring’s 2024 Year in Review is now live. Here’s how to find it
The Oura Ring 4 alongside the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max.

As the year winds down, it’s time for every service to release its yearly recap for users. And while 2024 certainly was an interesting year for wearable tech with smart rings, the Oura Ring is still the best one on the market. And yes, Oura Ring users can now get their own Year in Review reports in the app and see how well they’re doing compared to others all over the globe through anonymous global community data.

Oura Ring’s yearly recap shows you your highlights throughout the year, including personal trends and health habits. The Year in Review report will give you personalized insights through a recap of your data from Sleep, Stress, Activity, and more from 2024. And since the data from Oura users around the world is pooled together anonymously, you can also see how you’re faring compared to the global Oura community.

Read more