Snapchat memories stored in the cloud transfer automatically when you log in on your new phone. However, locally stored memories, "My Eyes Only" content, and memories that exceed free storage limits require extra steps. This guide covers every scenario to make sure nothing gets left behind.
How Snapchat Memories Storage Works
To understand what transfers automatically and what does not, you first need to understand the two ways Snapchat stores memories.
Cloud Storage (Transfers Automatically)
By default, Snapchat saves memories to its cloud servers. These memories are linked to your Snapchat account, not to a specific device. When you install Snapchat on a new phone and log in with your account credentials, cloud-stored memories will load automatically. This is the simplest scenario and requires no manual action from you.
Device-Only Storage (Does Not Transfer)
Snapchat also offers an option to save memories to your device only, bypassing cloud storage entirely. You can check your current setting by going to Snapchat Settings > Memories > Save To. If this is set to "Memories & Camera Roll" or "Memories" alone, your content is in the cloud. If it is set to a local/device option, those memories exist only on your current phone and will not appear on a new device.
Any memories stored device-only need to be manually transferred or they will be lost when you switch phones.
Scenario 1: iPhone to iPhone
Transferring Snapchat memories between iPhones is the most straightforward scenario because Apple's ecosystem provides multiple reliable transfer methods.
Cloud Memories (Automatic)
- Set up your new iPhone using Quick Start, iCloud backup, or a computer backup
- Install Snapchat from the App Store (it may restore automatically from your backup)
- Log in with your Snapchat credentials
- Wait for memories to sync -- this may take several minutes on a large library
Your cloud-stored memories should appear within the Memories section once syncing is complete. Use a strong Wi-Fi connection for fastest results.
Camera Roll Photos (Via iCloud)
If you previously saved Snapchat memories to your camera roll, those photos transfer automatically through iCloud Photos. As long as iCloud Photos is enabled on both your old and new iPhone, all camera roll content -- including previously exported Snapchat memories -- will sync to the new device.
To verify iCloud Photos is enabled: Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Photos > toggle iCloud Photos on.
Locally Stored Snapchat Memories
If you had Snapchat's storage set to device-only, those memories are saved within the Snapchat app's local data. When you set up a new iPhone via Quick Start or restore from an iCloud/computer backup, app data is typically included. However, this is not guaranteed for all apps. To be safe:
- Before switching, open Snapchat on your old iPhone
- Go to Memories and select locally stored memories
- Export them to your camera roll (tap and hold > Export Snap > Save Image/Video)
- Verify they appear in your Photos app
- These will then transfer via iCloud Photos to your new iPhone
Scenario 2: Android to Android
Android-to-Android transfers follow a similar logic but use Google's backup ecosystem instead of Apple's.
Cloud Memories (Automatic)
- Set up your new Android phone using Google's device transfer or setup wizard
- Install Snapchat from the Google Play Store
- Log in with your Snapchat credentials
- Wait for memories to sync over Wi-Fi
Camera Roll Photos (Via Google Photos)
If you previously saved Snapchat memories to your camera roll, they will transfer to your new phone through Google Photos backup. Make sure backup is enabled on your old device: open the Google Photos app > tap your profile icon > Photos settings > Backup > ensure backup is toggled on.
On your new Android phone, sign in with the same Google account and open Google Photos. All previously backed-up photos, including exported Snapchat memories, will be available.
Locally Stored Snapchat Memories
Android's backup system does not reliably preserve app-specific local data for all applications. If your Snapchat memories were stored device-only, they may not transfer automatically. Before switching phones:
- Open Snapchat on your old Android phone
- Navigate to Memories
- Select and export all locally stored memories to your camera roll
- Verify that Google Photos is backing up these newly saved photos
- Wait for the backup to complete before setting up your new phone
Scenario 3: iPhone to Android
Cross-platform transfers add complexity because you are moving between two different ecosystems. Snapchat's cloud memories still transfer seamlessly, but your camera roll requires extra steps.
Cloud Memories (Automatic)
Snapchat memories are platform-agnostic. Install Snapchat from the Google Play Store, log in with your same account, and your cloud-stored memories will appear. No additional steps required.
Camera Roll Photos (Manual Transfer)
Photos in your iPhone's camera roll do not automatically transfer to Android. You have several options:
- Google Photos: Install Google Photos on your iPhone before switching. Enable backup and let it upload your entire camera roll. On your new Android phone, sign in to the same Google account and all photos will be there.
- Apple's Move to iOS (reverse): Google offers a "Switch to Android" tool that can help transfer photos during initial Android setup.
- Cable transfer: Connect both phones to a computer and manually copy the photo files from iPhone to Android.
- Cloud storage: Upload photos to a cloud service like Dropbox or OneDrive from your iPhone, then download them on your Android.
Scenario 4: Android to iPhone
Moving from Android to iPhone has become easier with Apple's "Move to iOS" app, but some manual steps may still be needed.
Cloud Memories (Automatic)
As with all cross-platform transfers, Snapchat's cloud-stored memories transfer automatically. Install Snapchat from the App Store, log in, and wait for your memories to sync.
Camera Roll Photos
- Move to iOS app: During initial iPhone setup, Apple's "Move to iOS" app can transfer photos, contacts, and other data from your Android phone wirelessly. This is the easiest method if you are setting up a brand-new iPhone.
- Google Photos: If your Android photos are backed up to Google Photos, install the Google Photos app on your new iPhone. All your photos will be accessible. You can optionally download them to your iPhone's camera roll for iCloud backup.
- Manual transfer: Connect both devices to a computer and copy photo files from your Android to your iPhone using iTunes, Finder (macOS Catalina+), or a third-party tool.
Common Problems During Phone Migration
Even with careful preparation, phone transfers can encounter issues. Here are the most common problems and how to resolve them.
Memories Are Missing on the New Phone
If some or all memories are missing after logging in on your new phone:
- Give it time: Large memory libraries can take 30 minutes or more to fully sync. Keep Snapchat open and connected to Wi-Fi.
- Check storage limits: If you have exceeded Snapchat's free cloud storage, some memories may be hidden. This is not related to the phone transfer -- those memories were already restricted before the switch.
- Verify your account: Confirm you are logged into the correct Snapchat account. If you have multiple accounts, memories only appear under the account that created them.
- Check device-only storage: If you used device-only storage on your old phone, those memories will not be on the new device. You will need to transfer them manually or recover them from the old phone.
My Eyes Only Content Not Showing
"My Eyes Only" memories are locked with a passcode. After logging in on your new phone, you will need to enter your "My Eyes Only" passcode to access that section. Make sure you remember it -- resetting the passcode permanently deletes all "My Eyes Only" content.
Videos Not Playing or Photos Not Loading
This usually indicates a network issue during initial sync. Connect to a strong, stable Wi-Fi network and let Snapchat download the full-resolution versions. If the issue persists, try clearing the cache (Snapchat Settings > Account Actions > Clear Cache) and letting memories re-download.
The Most Reliable Transfer Method: Camera Roll
The scenarios above all share one vulnerability: they depend on Snapchat's cloud storage working correctly. Cloud storage can be affected by outages, storage limits, policy changes, and synchronization bugs. The most reliable way to ensure your memories survive a phone transfer is to save them to your camera roll before switching.
Why Camera Roll Is More Reliable
- Platform-independent: Camera roll photos transfer between any devices and operating systems via standard backup services (iCloud, Google Photos).
- No storage limits: Your camera roll is limited only by your device storage and your cloud backup plan -- not by Snapchat's policies.
- No account dependency: Camera roll photos are not tied to any Snapchat account. Even if you lose account access, your photos are safe.
- Multiple backup layers: Camera roll photos are typically backed up to at least one cloud service automatically, plus they can be backed up to a computer.
- Instant access: Photos in your camera roll are always available, even offline. No waiting for cloud sync or dealing with loading issues.
How to Export Memories to Camera Roll Before Switching
For the most complete and reliable transfer, export all your Snapchat memories to your camera roll before setting up your new phone:
- Request your data export at accounts.snapchat.com > My Data > Submit Request
- Wait for the email with your download link (24-48 hours)
- Download the ZIP file to your current phone
- Open the ZIP file in Memories Import
- Tap Import to save everything to your camera roll with original dates and locations
- Verify the import completed successfully
- Ensure your camera roll is fully backed up to iCloud or Google Photos
- Proceed with setting up your new phone
This approach guarantees that every memory -- cloud-stored, device-only, and "My Eyes Only" content -- is safely in your camera roll and backed up to your cloud service before the transfer. When you set up your new phone, those photos will be waiting for you in your Photos app, regardless of which phone or platform you are moving to.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Snapchat memories transfer automatically to a new phone?
Cloud-based Snapchat memories transfer automatically when you log into your Snapchat account on the new phone. Since these memories are stored on Snapchat's servers, they will appear in the Memories section regardless of which device you use. However, memories saved only to your device (local device storage in Snapchat settings) do not transfer automatically and require manual migration.
Can I transfer Snapchat memories from iPhone to Android?
Yes. Since Snapchat memories are stored in the cloud and linked to your account, they are accessible on any device where you log in. Simply install Snapchat on your Android device, log in with the same credentials, and your memories will load. For memories that were saved to your iPhone's camera roll, you will need to transfer those separately using a service like Google Photos or a direct transfer tool.
Will I lose my Snapchat memories if I switch phones?
You should not lose cloud-stored Snapchat memories when switching phones, since they are tied to your account. However, memories stored locally on your old device will not be available on the new one unless you transfer them. To be safe, export your memories to your camera roll before switching phones. This ensures you have a local copy that transfers with your phone's backup.
Why are some Snapchat memories missing on my new phone?
Missing memories on a new phone usually indicate one of three issues: the memories were stored locally on the old device rather than in Snapchat's cloud, you have exceeded Snapchat's free storage limit and some memories are hidden, or the memories are still syncing and need more time to download. Check your Snapchat storage settings on the old device and give the new device time to sync over a strong Wi-Fi connection.
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