Snapchat is one of the most popular social media platforms. It was launched in 2011 and people around the world love sharing photos and short videos that would disappear within 10 seconds on Snapchat.
Snapchat was the first social media platform that used augmented reality to add masks, backgrounds, emojis and fun filters to your photos in real-time to share with your friends and family. At one point in time, during Snapchat’s peak, using Snapchat was the coolest thing to do. No other platform offered anything close to what Snapchat offered.
However, some Snapchat accounts were permanently locked and users were unable to unlock a permanently locked Snapchat account. Due to some technical reasons, or for violating Snapchat terms of use, Snapchat locked user accounts permanently.
This is a bad experience and the user may lose access to all the saved memories and be unable to communicate with friends and followers on Snapchat.
In this article, we will explore the reasons why Snapchat may have locked your account, and discuss how to unlock a permanently locked Snapchat account.
If you also have trouble using WhatsApp on your Laptop or PC, read our article on How to Fix the “No Valid QR Detected” Error on WhatsApp.
To learn How to Make A WhatsApp Group Interesting, click here.
Why Do Snapchat Accounts Get Permanently Locked?
Snapchat has strict guidelines and policies to maintain a secure and safe online community for its users. There are several reasons why Snapchat may decide to lock an account permanently:
1. Violating Community Guidelines
If you engage in behaviour that violates Snapchat’s Community Guidelines or User Agreement Policy, such as posting explicit content, harassment, or spam, your account may be locked.
You need to make sure that when your account is active again, you don’t violate Snapchat policies. These policies ensure that all users can use Snapchat safely every day.
2. Using Third-Party Apps
Many unauthorised third-party apps and services modify and/or interact with Snapchat’s features. Snapchat does not allow such apps and considers it a breach of their terms and conditions, and if detected may result in a permanent lock of your Snapchat account.
Precaution is better than cure. It is better not to use a third-party app or service than to unlock a permanently locked Snapchat account.
3. Suspicious Activity
If Snapchat detects any suspicious activity related to your account, it may lock it as a precautionary measure. Suspicious activities include (but are not limited to) multiple login attempts from different locations or suspicious login patterns, using VPN, and posting disturbing and violent content.
If Snapchat detects such activities, your Snapchat account can be locked.
4. Underage Usage:
Snapchat has a minimum age requirement of 13 years old. If you’re found to be under this age when creating your account, your account may be locked.
To Unlock A Permanently Locked Snapchat Account Follow These Steps
There is no guaranteed way to unlock a permanently locked Snapchat Account. Snapchat has strict guidelines that need to be followed to continue using Snapchat and its services.
However, there are a few things you can do to unlock a permanently locked Snapchat account.
1. Remove All Third-Party Snapchat Plugins and Apps
The most common reason for Snapchat’s account being locked is the use of third-party plugins and apps that violate Snapchat’s terms of service.
As mentioned before, using unauthorised third-party apps violates Snapchat’s terms of service and you will need to delete them to continue using Snapchat.
To unlock a permanently locked Snapchat account, you should:
- Uninstall any third-party apps or plugins associated with your Snapchat account.
- Change your Snapchat password to enhance your security.
- After deleting the apps, contact Snapchat support to explain the situation and request an account review.
2. Reinstall the App
If your Snapchat account is locked, you can try reinstalling the app:
- Delete the Snapchat app from your device
- Reinstall it from the official app store.
- Log in to your account and see if the lock has been lifted.
3. Tap on the Unlock Button
Sometimes, Snapchat may display an “Unlock” button on your locked account. If you see this option, tap it and follow the instructions provided by Snapchat to unlock a permanently locked Snapchat account.
4. Wait for the Lock to Expire
Snapchat’s account locks are typically temporary and may last from a few hours to several days, depending on the severity of the violation.
You can wait for the lock to expire and regain access once it’s lifted. If you believe your lock is unjustified, contact Snapchat support and ask why you were blocked and request them to unlock a permanently locked Snapchat account.
5. Use a VPN
Virtual Private Network (VPN) may help in some situations. To use a VPN service to unlock a permanently locked Snapchat account, you should follow these steps:
- Install a reputable VPN app on your device.
- Connect to a server in a different location.
- Open Snapchat and attempt to log in again.
Remember that this method doesn’t guarantee success and may only work for locks specific to a country or region.
6. Create a New Snapchat Account
If all else fails and you can’t regain access to your locked Snapchat account, you may need to create a new one. However, this means losing all your previous content and contacts, so it should be considered a last resort.
Word of Caution!
Never Use a Third-Party Service to Unlock
You should never consider a third-party service to unlock a permanently locked Snapchat Account. Snapchat has not authorised any third-party vendor to unlock a permanently locked Snapchat account.
The third-party service will most likely be a scam and could compromise your personal information.
If you still explore this option, research the service thoroughly and ensure it has a trustworthy reputation.
Our advice is that you don’t use any such service irrespective of its reputation!
Tips to Secure Your Snapchat Account from Being Permanently Locked
Preventing your Snapchat account from being locked permanently is the best approach. Here are some crucial security tips to follow:
1. Use Strong Passwords
- Create a unique and strong password for your Snapchat account, including letters, numbers, and special characters.
- You can use a password generator to create a strong password.
- Avoid using easily guessable information like birthdays or names.
2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
- Activate 2FA in your Snapchat settings.
- It adds an extra security layer by requiring a one-time verification code to be sent to your mobile device for login.
- You can also use the Google Authenticator. It generates a new code every 30 seconds.
Adding a second layer of security helps unauthorised logins and can help you avoid unlock a permanently locked Snapchat account.
3. Regularly Update Your App
- Keep your Snapchat app updated to benefit from the latest security features and patches.
- Outdated apps can be a security threat and you may have to unlock a permanently locked Snapchat account because of old security or technical issues.
4. Review Privacy Settings
- Review Regularly your privacy settings to ensure you are comfortable with who can see your content and interact with you.
- Adjust settings as needed to maintain your desired level of privacy.
5. Avoid Third-Party Apps
- Refrain from using third-party apps or services that claim to enhance your Snapchat experience.
- Such apps can violate Snapchat’s terms of service and lead to a permanent lock.
This is to ensure the platform’s safety. Even if you don’t violate Snapchat’s terms of use directly, the third-party app that you install may. So to protect Snapchat users, third-party apps are not allowed.
Conclusion
While to unlock a permanently locked Snapchat account is challenging, it’s not entirely impossible. Your best action is to contact Snapchat support and provide a compelling case for why your account should be reinstated.
However, prevention is critical, so make sure to follow Snapchat’s guidelines and protect your account to avoid a Snapchat lock in the first place.
You need to be patient when dealing with Snapchat support. Snapchat takes the violations very seriously and it may take time to resolve the issue.
1. Are Snapchat bans permanent?
No, Snapchat bans are not permanent. By following the above steps, in most cases, you will be able to unblock your Snapchat account.
2. How do I get my device unblocked from Snapchat?
Go through the above article, and follow the steps. You should be able to unblock your snapchat account.
3. What are the possible reasons for a permanently locked Snapchat account?
Your Snapchat account can be locked when Snapchat detects some activity that violates their Community Guidelines or Terms of Service. These activities may include (but not limited to) spamming, manipulating content for misleading purposes, use of third-party apps or plugins, or sharing inappropriate data.
4. How can I avoid getting my Snapchat account permanently locked in the future?
Avoid violating Snapchat Community Guidelines and their Terms of Service. Do not spam, or manipulate content, and avoid using third-party apps or plugins to tweak your Snapchat account.
5. How to Delete Snapchat Account?
Step 1: Open the Snapchat app. Log in if not already logged in.
Step 2: Tap on the Profile Icon in the top left corner, and then tap on the settings icon ⚙️ in the top right corner.
Step 3: Scroll to the bottom of the page, where you will see the option “I Need Help” under the Support Section. Click on this option.
Step 4: Tap on “Managing My Account”. Here you will have the option “Delete or Reactivate My Account”. Tap on it.
Step 5: Click on “How Do I Delete My Snapchat Account?”
Step 6: Tap on the “Accounts Portal” link in the text. Enter your account details and click on continue.
Your Snapchat account is now deactivated. You now have 30 days to reactivate it or else it will be permanently deleted.
