Whether you're using an iPhone or Android phone, this guide walks you through the complete process of exporting your Snapchat memories to your phone's gallery. We'll cover the differences between platforms and ensure your photos keep their original dates and locations.
Before You Start
The export process is the same for both iPhone and Android, but there are a few things to check first:
Check Your Storage Space
Make sure you have enough free space on your phone:
- iPhone: Settings > General > iPhone Storage
- Android: Settings > Storage
A rough estimate: plan for about 3-5MB per photo and 10-50MB per video. If you have 1,000 memories, you might need 5-10GB of free space.
Stable Internet Connection
You'll need a good internet connection to download your memories from Snapchat's servers. Wi-Fi is recommended, especially for large libraries.
Step 1: Request Your Snapchat Data Export
Both iPhone and Android users start the same way:
Option A: Using Your Phone's Browser
- Open Safari (iPhone) or Chrome (Android)
- Go to accounts.snapchat.com
- Log in with your Snapchat credentials
- Tap "My Data"
- Scroll to the bottom and tap "Submit Request"
Option B: Using a Computer
- Open any web browser
- Go to accounts.snapchat.com
- Log in to your account
- Click "My Data"
- Click "Submit Request"
Wait time: Snapchat will email you when your data is ready. This usually takes 24-48 hours.
Step 2: Download Your Export
On iPhone
- Open the email from Snapchat
- Tap the download link
- Log in if prompted
- Tap "Download" to get the ZIP file
- The file will download to your Files app (in the Downloads folder)
On Android
- Open the email from Snapchat
- Tap the download link
- Log in if prompted
- Tap "Download"
- The file will download to your Downloads folder
Step 3: Import Your Memories
Now you need to process the ZIP file and save your photos to your gallery. This is where Memories Import comes in.
On iPhone
- Download Memories Import from the App Store
- Open the Files app on your iPhone
- Navigate to Downloads and find your Snapchat ZIP file
- Tap and hold the file, then select "Share"
- Choose "Memories Import" from the share sheet
- Tap "Import" in the app
- Grant permission to access your Photos when prompted
Tip: You can also open Memories Import first and use the "Select File" button to browse to your ZIP file.
On Android
- Download Memories Import from Google Play
- Open the app
- Tap "Select File"
- Navigate to your Downloads folder
- Select your Snapchat ZIP file
- Tap "Import"
- Grant permission to access your gallery when prompted
Understanding the Import Process
Here's what happens when you import:
- File parsing: The app reads your Snapchat export to find all your memories
- Download: Each photo and video is downloaded from Snapchat's servers using the links in your export
- Metadata: Original dates and locations are read from the export data
- Saving: Photos are saved to your camera roll/gallery with correct metadata
- Album creation: A "Snapchat Memories" album is created for easy access
Where Will My Photos Appear?
On iPhone
- Photos app: Your memories appear in the main library, organized by their original date
- Albums: Look for "Snapchat Memories" in the Albums tab
- Search: You can search by date or location in the Photos app
On Android
- Gallery app: Photos appear in your main gallery timeline
- Albums: A "Snapchat Memories" folder is created
- Google Photos: If you use Google Photos, memories will appear there too (after syncing)
Preserving Original Dates
One of the most important features is keeping the original dates. Here's how it works:
- Your Snapchat export contains metadata with the exact date and time each photo was taken
- Memories Import reads this metadata and embeds it in the photo file
- When the photo is saved to your gallery, it appears in the correct position in your timeline
Example: A photo from December 2020 will appear in your December 2020 photos, not in today's photos.
What About Location Data?
If you had location enabled when you took the original snap, the GPS coordinates are included in your export. Memories Import preserves this data, so you can:
- See where photos were taken on the map view
- Search for photos by location
- Browse your "Places" album
Handling Large Libraries
If you have thousands of memories, the import might take a while. Here's what you need to know:
Pause and Resume
You can pause the import at any time and resume later. The app tracks progress, so you won't lose any work.
Background Processing
On both iPhone and Android, the app can continue downloading while you use other apps. Just don't force-close the app.
Auto-Retry
If a download fails (due to network issues), the app automatically retries. Nothing gets left behind.
Troubleshooting
"Cannot open ZIP file"
- Make sure the download completed fully
- Try downloading the export again
- Check that you have enough storage space
"Photos not appearing in gallery"
- Give the Photos/Gallery app time to index new files
- Try closing and reopening the Photos app
- Check the "Snapchat Memories" album
"Wrong dates on photos"
- Make sure you're using Memories Import (manual saves don't preserve dates)
- Some photos may not have date metadata in the original export
"Import is slow"
- Large libraries take time - this is normal
- Use Wi-Fi for faster downloads
- Keep the app open (or in background) during import
After the Import
Once your memories are imported:
- Verify: Browse through your gallery to make sure everything imported correctly
- Backup: Make sure your phone's cloud backup (iCloud/Google Photos) syncs the new photos
- Optional cleanup: You can delete memories from Snapchat to free up cloud storage
Ready to Export?
The process takes just a few minutes of setup, then the app handles everything automatically. Get started now:
- Request your data at accounts.snapchat.com
- Download Memories Import for iPhone or Android
- Import and enjoy your memories in your gallery
Export your Snapchat memories today
Available for both iPhone and Android. One-time purchase, works with any size library.
Download Now - $4.99