Export guide

How to export your Snapchat messages

By the Clarity Forensics team · Updated

Snapchat has no "export this chat" button. Instead, request a copy of your data: in Snapchat, tap your profile, then the Settings gear, then My Data. Include your chat history, choose JSON if you're offered a choice of file types, set the date range, confirm your email and tap Submit. When the download is ready, open See exports and download the ZIP. It only holds chats that were saved or not yet deleted, because Snapchat deletes most chats after they're viewed.

Download your Snapchat chats

  1. Open My Data. In Snapchat, tap your profile picture at the top left, tap the Settings gear, and choose My Data. This opens Snapchat's accounts page, where you may need to sign in again. You can also go to accounts.snapchat.com in a browser and choose My Data.
  2. Choose what to include. Make sure your chat history is selected. Leave Memories and chat media off: you only need the text, and photos and videos make the download much bigger and slower.
  3. Choose JSON if you can. If you're offered a choice of file types, turn on JSON (for example Export JSON Files). Clarity reads the json/chat_history.json file inside the download, not the HTML pages.
  4. Set the dates and submit. Pick a date range, or turn the range off to get everything. Confirm your email address and tap Submit. A download request can't be cancelled.
  5. Wait for Snapchat. Snapchat says it aims to deliver within 7 days; a small, text-only request is often ready much sooner. You get an email when it is.
  6. Download the ZIP. Go back to My Data (or accounts.snapchat.com) and choose See exports, then Download. If Snapchat splits a large download into several ZIPs, chat history is usually in the first one.
  7. Import it. In Clarity, tap Import a chat, then I already have the file, and choose the ZIP (or chat_history.json on its own). Clarity lists the friends in the file; pick the person you want to look at. Snapchat import needs Clarity 1.6.2 or later.

Good to know

If the chat you need isn't in the download, screenshots are the other way in: Clarity can read chat screenshots on your phone without sending them anywhere.

Then see what the conversation shows

Clarity is a free Android app that reads the file you export and shows where patterns like gaslighting, love bombing and DARVO appear, with the messages behind every flag, a health score and a timeline. Pattern detection runs on your phone.

Get Clarity on Google Play

Not sure what to look for? Read the red flag guides.

Questions

Can I export a single Snapchat conversation?

No. Snapchat only lets you download a copy of your account data, which includes the chat history for all of your friends at once. Clarity then lets you pick the one conversation you want to look at.

Why are messages missing from my Snapchat data download?

Snapchat deletes most chats after they are viewed, unless someone saves them. The download only has chats that were saved or not yet deleted. Saved chats with someone you are no longer friends with may also be gone.

How long does a Snapchat data download take?

Snapchat says it aims to deliver within 7 days, and large downloads can take longer. Leaving out Memories and chat media keeps the request small, so it is usually ready sooner.

Should I choose HTML or JSON for my Snapchat data?

Choose JSON if you are offered the option and want to use the data in another app. The JSON download puts all your chats in one chat_history.json file. The HTML pages are easier to read in a browser.

Sources

  1. Snapchat Support. How do I download my data from Snapchat?

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