How to Unlock a Permanently Locked Snapchat Account: A Complete Troubleshooting Guide

Has your Snapchat account been locked suddenly, leaving you unable to log in? I know how frustrating that can be, especially if Snapchat is one of your main ways to keep in touch with friends.

Not to worry – I‘m here to help! In this detailed guide, I‘ll walk you step-by-step through how to unlock a locked Snapchat account so you can get back to Snapping.

Here‘s what I‘ll cover:

• Why Snapchat locks accounts
• The different types of Snapchat account locks
• Steps to unlock a temporarily locked account
• Fixes for a permanently locked account
• Extra tips for avoiding lockouts
• How to recover a fully disabled account

Let‘s get started unlocking your Snapchat!

Why Does Snapchat Lock Accounts?

First, it helps to understand why Snapchat locks or limits accounts in the first place.

Snapchat has over 265 million daily active users as of 2022. With so many users, Snapchat has to be vigilant about security and policy violations on their platform.

Reasons your account can get locked include:

• Suspicious activity: If Snapchat detects suspicious login attempts or actions that appear fraudulent, they‘ll lock the account until they can verify it‘s really you.
• ToS violations: Breaking Snapchat‘s Terms of Service in any way – like spamming, bullying, or improper content – can trigger restrictions.
• Compromised account: If your account gets hacked, Snapchat will lock it to stop misuse until ownership can be reestablished.
• Banned devices: Logging in from a device banned for previous ToS violations can cause account locking.
• Third-party apps: Using third-party apps that scrape or modify Snapchat data will result in swift account locking.

So in most cases, Snapchat isn‘t trying to punish you specifically. They just take account security and safety very seriously, considering how much personal data is shared on the platform.

Types of Account Locks on Snapchat

Snapchat has two main types of account restrictions – temporary locks and permanent locks. Here‘s how to identify each one:

Temporary Lock

A temporary lock is the most common type of restriction placed on Snapchat accounts. Some ways to recognize it:

• You‘re unable to log into your account for 24-48 hours.
• Snapchat sends an email saying your account has a temporary lock.
• Trying to log in shows an “account temporarily locked” message.
• The app might suggest resetting your password to regain access.

This is Snapchat‘s way of putting your account on a brief timeout to investigate suspicious activity. The good news is temporary locks are exactly that – temporary. Your access will return once the short time period passes.

Permanent Lock

A permanent lock, however, means your account has been disabled for a severe violation of Snapchat‘s Terms. Here are some telltale signs your account is permanently locked:

• You‘ve been logged out for over 48 hours with no sign of the lock lifting.
• Emails from Snapchat say your account is permanently disabled.
• Logging in shows an “account permanently locked” message.
• Snapchat has specifically notified you of a disabling action.

Permanent lockouts are reserved for serious or repeat offenses. This could include threatening behavior, hacking attempts, or multiple temporary locks on one account. Unlike temporary locks though, permanent ones won‘t undo themselves after 24 hours. You‘ll have to actively appeal the ban.

Now that you know why and how Snapchat locks accounts, let‘s go over how to unlock them!

Unlocking a Temporarily Locked Account

If you think your Snapchat account is temporarily locked, here are a few ways to get back in:

Wait it out: As hard as it is, patience is key! Avoid logging in repeatedly, as it can extend the lock. The temporary ban should lift automatically within 24 hours.

Reset your password: Sometimes resetting your password can end the temporary lock early and get you back into Snapchat sooner.

Update Snapchat: Make sure you have the latest version of the Snapchat app installed. An outdated version can prevent you from properly accessing your account.

Check the email Snapchat sent: Temporary locks always come with an email from Snapchat explaining the lock. Read it closely for next steps, like password resets.

If you still can‘t log in after 24 hours, it‘s possible your account received a permanent lock by mistake. In that case, you‘ll need to appeal the ban directly with Snapchat.

Fixing an Account Permanently Locked

Alright, now onto undoing a permanent ban! Here are the most effective ways to get your account unlocked:

Appeal the ban through Snapchat: You can submit an account unlock appeal directly within Snapchat by tapping “My Account is Locked” on the lock screen. Explain why your account should be restored. However, keep in mind Snapchat may uphold the permanent lock if violations were severe.

Use Snapchat‘s account recovery form: Head to Snapchat‘s Account Support site and fill out the account recovery form. You‘ll need to provide details to prove you‘re the account owner. This is Snapchat‘s official ban appeal process.

Contact Snapchat Support: Reach out to Snapchat‘s customer support team via email or social media to discuss your permanent lock in more depth. Talking directly with a human can sometimes resolve issues fastest.

Wait and submit another appeal: If your first appeal is denied, wait 1-2 weeks and submit another one. Sometimes multiple appeals are needed for Snapchat to reconsider and unlock the account.

Create a new account: As a last resort, make a brand new Snapchat account with different credentials. You‘ll lose your old Snaps though, so only do this if you have absolutely no way to recover your original profile.

With some persistence and the right troubleshooting steps, you have a good chance of getting your “permanently” locked Snapchat unlocked again. Don‘t lose hope!

Extra Tips to Avoid Snapchat Account Locks

I know getting locked out of Snapchat stinks. Here are some tips to help avoid triggers that can lead to Snapchat restricting your account:

• Set up two-factor authentication: Enabling 2FA makes it much harder for hackers to access your account, reducing improper access locks.
• Don‘t use third-party apps or mods: Stick to Snapchat‘s official apps in the app stores. Unofficial tools often violate Snapchat‘s Terms and get accounts banned.
• Don‘t buy or sell Snapchat usernames: Snapchat owns the rights to their usernames. Purchasing or selling them breaks Terms of Service.
• Don‘t spam: Avoid mass-sending promotional or unsolicited Snaps to users. Spamming is a one-way ticket to getting banned.
• Be kind: Don‘t send any Snaps intended to harass, harm, or bully other users. Abusive behavior results in swift account disabling.
• Don‘t cheat Snapchat: Avoid tricks that seek to artificially increase Snap views or scores. Snapchat hates cheating and frequently locks offenders.
• Contact support if you‘re hacked: If your account is ever compromised, immediately reach out to Snapchat Support so they can lock it before damage is done.

By being mindful on Snapchat and not trying to exploit the system, you can use Snapchat for years without ever worrying about a locked account.

What If My Account is Fully Disabled?

Okay, in the worst case: what if your account is fully disabled by Snapchat and all recovery efforts have failed?

If you’ve exhausted all options and still can’t unlock your banned account, then it’s time to focus your energy elsewhere. Continuing appeal attempts will likely be ignored once Snapchat has fully disabled an account.

Here are some healthy ways to move forward if your account is permanently toast:

• Make peace with it: Accept that some offenses are irreversible. Reflect on what led to the ban.
• Take a break from Snapchat: Use the loss as a chance to practice patience and explore other social networks.
• Create a new account responsibly: Eventually make a fresh, honest account without repeating past mistakes.
• Contact friends on other platforms: Notify close Snapchat friends through text, email, etc. so they know what happened.
• Find a Snapchat alternative: Apps like Instagram or TikTok offer features similar to Snapchat you may enjoy.

Losing your Snapchat account forever is a tough pill to swallow. But it doesn‘t have to be the end of your social world. Get creative and find new ways to connect with friends outside of Snapchat.

Let‘s Get You Snapping Again!

Well, there you have my complete guide to unlocking a locked Snap account and avoiding future issues!

To recap, temporary locks should lift within 24 hours. For permanent bans, persistently appeal the disablement or use Snapchat’s official account recovery tools. Avoid ToS violations that could risk locks. And if your account is fully disabled, don’t lose hope – find new platforms to engage with your friends.

Hopefully these tips will get your account unlocked so you can get back to posting fun Snaps. But if anything remains unclear or you still can‘t access your account, don‘t hesitate to reach out. I‘m always happy to help figure out Snapchat issues.

Here‘s to many more happy Snapping days ahead!

Reference:

[1] https://www.statista.com/statistics/545967/snapchat-app-dau/
[2] https://support.snapchat.com/account
[3] https://help.snapchat.com/hc/en-us/articles/7012315286164-My-account-is-locked
[4] https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-unlock-permanently-locked-snapchat-account-update-robiul-hossain
[5] https://www.imobie.com/app-management/unlock-a-permanently-locked-snapchat-account.htm
[6] https://www.reddit.com/r/SnapchatHelp/comments/zunyh4/any_way_to_regain_access_to_permanently_locked/