Snapchat locked? See Why & How to Unlock It
Got recently your Snapchat account locked and looking for ways to unlock it?
The error message will say: “Oh no! Your account has been temporarily locked. For details on why this might’ve happened, visit https://snapchat.com/locked".
It’s possible that something specific caused it, but in certain situations, you might get your Snapchat account locked for no reason.
In this article I will help you understand:
- what happened and why your Snapchat account has been locked
- a solution how to unlock your Snapchat account
- how to prevent your Snapchat account getting locked in the future
Follow along to get back on track with your snaps!
What causes Snapchat account locked?
Let’s go over some common reasons that cause locked Snapchat account.
Using third party apps & plugins
If you have been using third party apps and plugins (especially unauthorized 3rd party applications eg. Snap Crack, Casper, Phantom etc.), you might get your account locked.
Using unauthorized, non-verified, Snapchat tweaks and plugins is against Snapchat’s Terms of Service.
You will end up seeing “We are sorry, we were unable to process your request.” message on Snapchat.
If Snapchat detects that you are using 3rd party plug in or app, it will send you a message via chat from Team Snapchat and notify you about it.
Mind that, you won’t be able to see this message if you have Team Snapchat blocked.
Spam, unsolicited messages & other abuse
If the account owner spam or abuse the platform with unwanted behaviour that goes against Snapchat Community Guidelines and Terms of Service, the account can be temporarily locked or in some extreme situations - even banned.
This includes adult content, unsolicited messages and other types of app abuse.
Suspicious activity
Locked Snapchat account might be a result of activity considered as suspicious - for example, if you add a lot of people in short period of time or send mass direct messages.
This include usage of third party bots & tweaks designed to make actions in automated manner on user behalf.
Login from unknown device or location
To keep your account secure, apps often keep record of the device and location and if there is any unusual login attempt from a new device or location, they will flag the account.
So if that wasn’t you, this means that someone else tried to login to your Snapchat and that could lead to locking your account.
This could be a case especially if you did not verify your email.
How to prevent Snapchat account lock
Before we explain how to unlock your Snapchat account, its important to understand some common ways to prevent getting the Snapchat lock again.
Verify your email address and phone number
By verifying your email and phone number, you show that you are a real, genuine user.
Since abusive and suspicious behaviour often comes from non-verified Snapchat accounts, this help your account look more trustworthy and avoid potential issues and locks.
Uninstall any third party apps and plug ins
If you believe you locked your account because of an app or tweak you have been using recently - delete them immediately.
Any apps that interact with Snapchat by asking you for your Snapchat login credentials: username, email address and password, are likely unauthorized and against Snapchat’s terms of service. Use only official Snapchat plugins.
Abide Snapchat ToS & Community Guidelines
Avoid mass-messaging people or other abusive behavior that goes against Community Guidelines.
Snapchat algorithm monitors unusual activity so if you continue to break the rules, your account will be permanently locked - situation difficult to solve as appeals to reinstate account are rare.
Keep your password random & secure
It goes without saying but many people still use simple passwords to access their social media accounts or keep them in easy-to-access places.
We highly recommend to use passphrase instead of passwords.
Anything that is a combination of random characters will be superior to dictionary words that can be guessed.
How to Unlock Your Locked Snapchat Account
The steps below work both on any mobile devices (iPhone & Android) and web browser so even if you are reading this guide on your desktop computer or laptop, you can follow along.
To unlock your locked Snapchat account, visit Snapchat’s official “My account is locked” page and then click “unlock your account” link, log in with your email and from the menu select “Unlock” button.
Need a detailed step-by-step description?
Step 1: Go to “ My Account Is Locked” page and click unlock your account link.
Step 2: Login to your Snapchat account using your email and password. If you are lost, you can use this direct login link.
Step 3: In the menu, locate “Unlock” button & tap it.
Conclusion
Many Snapchat users experience issue with locked app and there is a lot outdated articles on the web about this issue.
If you got your Snapchat app locked, this guide is definitely something that you need to check out.
And remember - solutions are good but prevention is always better!
Make sure to check our other articles, including guide to Snapchat streaks!
Snapchat unlock FAQ
What happens when your Snapchat account is locked?
When your Snapchat account is locked, you won’t be able to login to your account and post snaps.
Can I unlock permanently locked Snapchat account?
No, you can’t unlock permanently locked Snapchat account. At least this is not possible within Snapchat’s customer support. According to Snapchat, they won’t be able to unlock permamently locked accounts.
How do I know who signed into my Snapchat account?
When you receive the above mentioned message, you should immediately look at the last activity on your Snapchat account.
There will usually be a small icon showing the name and number of the user who accessed your account.
In most cases, this will be enough to figure out who did it.
Karen is a senior technical writer and copywriter here at GrowFollowing. Her area of expertize are social media apps and new media.