Guide
Are Snapchat memories downloaders safe? What to check before you use one
A Snapchat memories downloader can be safe, but it depends on three things: whether it asks for your Snapchat password (a safe tool never needs it), whether it uploads your export to its own servers, and what its own privacy policy and App Store privacy label say it collects. The safest kind works only from the export file you download from Snapchat yourself and processes it on your own device. Your export holds years of private photos, conversations and locations, so treat any tool that receives it the way you'd treat someone you hand your phone to.
Why this matters more than usual
A Snapchat export can include your saved chats, the photos and videos in them, your Memories with their GPS coordinates, your friends list and account details. What's inside the export lists it all. Whoever processes that file can see all of it.
The three kinds of tool
Tools that ask you to sign in to Snapchat
Snapchat's own download process runs through your account at accounts.snapchat.com or in the app, as Snapchat's help page describes. You request the export, Snapchat emails you, you download it. No third party is involved, and none needs your password.
A tool that asks for your Snapchat username and password is asking for your whole account, not your export. Be very cautious with any tool that does.
Tools that upload your export
Some web services ask you to upload your export ZIP, process it on their servers and give you a fixed download. That can work well, especially on a slow computer. It also means a copy of your data sits on someone else's server for a time. If you use one, read what it says about:
- how long it keeps your files, and whether that's stated as a specific time
- whether files are encrypted in storage
- whether you need an account, and what's linked to it
- whether it offers a version that runs locally instead
Several services that offer uploads also offer a desktop app that runs entirely on your computer. Our comparison pages note which tools say what, in their own words.
Tools that run on your device
Desktop apps and phone apps that read the export locally don't need to send it anywhere. That's the lowest-risk option, but "runs locally" is a claim like any other. Check the App Store privacy label, the privacy policy, and whether the app needs network access at all to do its job.
Five questions to ask any tool
- Does it need my Snapchat password? It shouldn't.
- Does my export leave my device? If yes, where to, and for how long?
- Does it need an account with them? If so, what's linked to it?
- What does its privacy label or policy say it collects? On the App Store, look for the "App Privacy" section of the listing.
- Does it fetch anything from Snapchat? Some Memories tools download each Memory using the links inside
memories_history.json. That isn't unsafe in itself, but it means the tool is going online, and those links reportedly stop working after about a week. See memories_history.json explained.
How Lidly answers them
| Question | Lidly |
|---|---|
| Snapchat password? | Never asked for. Lidly never connects to Snapchat |
| Does the export leave your phone? | No. The app makes no network requests at all |
| Account? | None. No login, no sign-up |
| What's collected? | Nothing. The App Store privacy label reads "Data Not Collected" |
| Fetches from Snapchat? | No. It reads only the files inside your ZIP |
Lidly also doesn't copy your export by default. It reads the ZIP where you saved it, and you can delete everything it imported from Profile, then Manage Storage. Our privacy page has the full policy.
The trade-off is that Lidly runs only on iPhone, and only does what can be done on the phone with your file. It doesn't upload to Google Drive or Dropbox, and it doesn't fetch fresh copies of anything from Snapchat. If you need those, a different tool will suit you better.
Common questions
Is it safe to install an app from a GitHub page?
That depends on the project and on whether you can check it. Many open-source tools are fine, but an app that isn't signed or notarized will trigger operating-system warnings for a reason. If you're not comfortable reviewing code, prefer tools from an app store with a privacy label.
Is the export itself safe to keep?
It's as safe as where you keep it. Store it somewhere you control, and think twice before sharing the ZIP. Saving your data before deleting your account covers keeping a backup.
Can a tool recover deleted or unsaved chats?
No. The export only includes what was saved, and no tool can add what Snapchat didn't include. Claims otherwise are a warning sign.