To save your Snapchat memories to an Android phone, request a data export from Snapchat, then use the Memories Import app from Google Play to import everything to your gallery with original dates and locations preserved. The process averages 8 minutes of hands-on time, and more than 10,000 users have completed it with a 99.7% success rate.
Android's open file system and deep Google Photos integration make it an excellent platform for storing your Snapchat memories long-term. Unlike Snapchat's own Memories viewer -- which locks your content inside a single app -- saving to your Android gallery means your photos work with every app on your phone, back up to Google Photos automatically, and remain accessible even if you uninstall Snapchat.
Why Android Users Should Export Snapchat Memories
Android devices offer several unique advantages when it comes to managing imported photo libraries:
- Google Photos backup -- With Google Photos installed (which comes preloaded on most Android devices), your imported Snapchat memories automatically back up to the cloud. Google's AI-powered search lets you find photos by searching for objects, places, or people in them.
- Expandable storage -- Many Android phones support microSD cards, giving you affordable physical storage for large Snapchat libraries. A 256 GB microSD card costs under $25 and can hold tens of thousands of photos.
- File system access -- Android's file manager gives you direct access to your media files. You can organize, copy, or move your Snapchat photos into custom folder structures without any restrictions.
- Cross-app compatibility -- Once in your gallery, Snapchat memories can be used in WhatsApp, Instagram, email, or any other Android app that accesses your media library.
- Freedom from Snapchat fees -- Snapchat+ cloud storage can cost up to $192 per year. A one-time export eliminates this ongoing expense permanently.
Before You Start: Android Preparation
A few preparation steps will make the import process smooth and prevent common issues on Android devices.
Check Available Storage
Open Settings > Storage (or Settings > Battery and device care > Storage on Samsung devices) to see how much space you have available. A Snapchat library of 1,000 memories typically requires 3 to 5 GB. Larger libraries with 3,000 or more memories may need 10 to 15 GB, especially if they include many video files.
If you are running low, consider clearing cached data from apps you rarely use. Android's storage settings usually include a "Free up space" or "Clean now" option that identifies files safe to delete.
Verify Google Photos Backup Settings
Open Google Photos, tap your profile picture in the top right, and select Photos settings > Backup. Make sure backup is turned on. Under "Backup quality," you can choose between Storage saver (slightly compressed but unlimited) or Original quality (uses your Google storage quota). For most users, Storage saver provides excellent quality while preserving your Google Drive space.
Check Your Android Version
Go to Settings > About phone (or Settings > About phone > Software information on some devices) to check your Android version. Memories Import supports Android 9 (Pie) and above. Android 13 and Android 14 introduced granular media permissions that the app handles automatically, but being on the latest version ensures the best experience.
Connect to Wi-Fi
The import process downloads your photos and videos directly from Snapchat's servers, so a stable Wi-Fi connection is essential. Mobile data will work but may be slow and could consume significant data -- a library of 2,000 memories might use 5 to 10 GB of bandwidth. If you must use mobile data, check that your carrier plan can handle the usage.
Step-by-Step: Save Snapchat Memories to Android
Step 1: Request Your Snapchat Data Export
Open Chrome (or your preferred browser) on your Android phone and go to accounts.snapchat.com. Log in with your Snapchat username and password. Navigate to My Data and tap Submit Request. Snapchat will queue your export, and you will receive an email notification when it is ready, typically within 24 to 48 hours.
Alternatively, open the Snapchat app, tap your profile icon, then the gear icon for Settings, and scroll down to My Data. You can submit the export request directly from within the app.
Step 2: Download the ZIP File
When Snapchat's email arrives, tap the download link. Chrome will download the ZIP file to your Downloads folder. You can access this through your notification shade (tap the completed download notification) or through your file manager app by navigating to Internal storage > Download.
The ZIP file itself is usually small -- between 1 and 10 MB -- because it contains metadata and download links rather than the actual media files. The real downloading happens during the import process.
Step 3: Install Memories Import from Google Play
Open the Google Play Store and search for "Memories Import" or go directly to the Google Play listing. Install the app, which requires approximately 20 MB of storage. The app is a one-time purchase with no subscriptions, in-app purchases, or hidden fees.
Step 4: Open Your Export in the App
Launch Memories Import and tap the button to select your Snapchat export. Android's file picker will open, showing your recent files. Navigate to the Downloads folder and select the ZIP file from Snapchat. The app will parse the export and display the number of memories it found, along with a breakdown of photos and videos.
Step 5: Grant Media Permissions
When you tap Import, Android will request the appropriate permission based on your OS version:
- Android 13 and above -- The system asks for "Photos and videos" permission. Tap Allow.
- Android 12 and below -- The system asks for "Storage" permission or "Files and media." Tap Allow.
If you accidentally deny the permission, go to Settings > Apps > Memories Import > Permissions and enable the storage or media permission manually.
Step 6: Monitor the Import
Memories Import will begin downloading your photos and videos from Snapchat's servers and saving them to your device's gallery with correct creation dates and GPS coordinates. A progress indicator shows the current item and overall completion percentage.
The app runs a persistent notification during the import, so you can switch to other apps or turn off the screen without interrupting the process. Android's background activity restrictions on some devices (especially Xiaomi, Huawei, and Oppo) may try to kill the app -- if this happens, see the troubleshooting section below.
How Android Organizes Imported Photos
When Memories Import saves a photo to your Android device, it writes the file to your device's media storage and registers it with Android's MediaStore database. This means the photo appears in every gallery app on your phone -- Google Photos, Samsung Gallery, Files by Google, or any third-party gallery you use.
The creation date metadata (EXIF DateTimeOriginal for photos, creation time for videos) is set to the original date from Snapchat, not the import date. This means when you open Google Photos and scroll through your timeline, your Snapchat memories from 2019 will appear in 2019, mixed in chronologically with other photos from that period.
Google Photos Integration Deep Dive
Google Photos is the default gallery app on most Android phones, and it handles imported Snapchat memories exceptionally well. Here is what happens after your import completes:
- Automatic backup -- If backup is enabled, Google Photos begins uploading your imported memories within minutes. You can see the progress by opening Google Photos and looking for the backup status indicator at the top of the Library tab.
- AI-powered search -- Google's machine learning models will scan your imported photos and index them for search. Within a few hours, you can search for things like "sunset," "cat," "birthday," or a person's name and find matching Snapchat memories.
- Memories feature -- Google Photos' "Memories" carousel at the top of the app will begin including your Snapchat photos in "On this day" collections, showing you old Snapchat memories alongside your other photos.
- Albums and sharing -- You can add imported memories to albums, share them via link, or create collaborative albums with friends and family.
According to Google, Photos backs up over 4 billion photos per day across Android devices. Your imported Snapchat memories join this ecosystem seamlessly.
Using Android File Manager for Manual Access
One of Android's strengths is direct file system access. After importing, you can use your file manager (Files by Google, Samsung My Files, or any third-party option) to find and manage your imported photos directly. They are typically stored under Internal storage > DCIM or Internal storage > Pictures.
This gives you capabilities that are not possible on some other platforms:
- Move files to an SD card for archival storage
- Copy files to a USB drive via OTG adapter
- Create custom folder hierarchies to organize by year or event
- Transfer files to a computer via USB cable without any special software
However, if you move files out of the standard media directories (DCIM, Pictures), they may no longer appear in your gallery app. Keep originals in place and make copies if you want to organize them separately.
Troubleshooting Android-Specific Issues
App Killed in Background (Xiaomi, Huawei, Oppo, Realme)
Some Android manufacturers aggressively kill background apps to save battery. If your import stops when you switch apps or turn off the screen, you need to whitelist Memories Import. The exact path varies by brand:
- Xiaomi/Redmi: Settings > Apps > Manage apps > Memories Import > Battery saver > No restrictions
- Huawei/Honor: Settings > Battery > App launch > Memories Import > Manage manually > Enable all toggles
- Oppo/Realme/OnePlus: Settings > Battery > More settings > Optimize battery use > Find Memories Import > Don't optimize
You can also disable battery optimization globally for the app in Settings > Apps > Memories Import > Battery > Unrestricted on stock Android.
Photos Not Appearing in Gallery
If imported photos do not show up in your gallery app immediately, Android's media scanner may need time to index them. Try opening your file manager and navigating to the DCIM or Pictures folder -- if the files are there, the media scanner just has not caught up yet. Restarting your phone forces a full media scan and usually resolves the issue within a minute or two.
ZIP File Not Found in File Picker
If you cannot find your Snapchat export in the file picker, check multiple locations: the Downloads folder, your browser's download directory, and your email app's attachments folder. On some Android devices, Chrome saves downloads to Internal storage > Download (no 's'), while other browsers may use Internal storage > Downloads. Try browsing manually rather than relying on the "Recent" tab.
Import Fails with Network Error
Snapchat's download links in your export are temporary and expire after 7 days. If you see persistent download failures, check whether your export is more than a week old. If so, you will need to request a fresh data export from accounts.snapchat.com. If your export is recent, try switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data to rule out a network-specific issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will imported Snapchat memories appear in Google Photos?
Yes. Once Memories Import saves your Snapchat photos and videos to your Android gallery, Google Photos will automatically detect and back them up if you have Google Photos backup enabled. The photos will appear at their original dates in your Google Photos timeline, not the date of import.
Where does Android save imported Snapchat memories?
Memories Import saves your photos and videos directly to your Android device's media library, which is accessible through your default gallery app. The files are stored in your device's DCIM or Pictures directory and are indexed by Android's MediaStore so every gallery app can find them.
What Android permissions does Memories Import need?
On Android 13 and above, Memories Import requests the Photos and Videos permission to save media to your gallery. On Android 12 and below, it requests Storage permission. The app also needs internet access to download your memories from Snapchat's servers. It does not require camera, microphone, contacts, or location permissions.
Can I import Snapchat memories to an SD card on Android?
Memories Import saves photos to your device's internal media library. However, once imported, you can use your Android file manager to move the files to an SD card. Alternatively, if you have configured your default storage location to be the SD card in your device settings, some Android phones will save new media there automatically.
Start Saving Your Snapchat Memories on Android
Your Snapchat memories deserve a better home than a single app's cloud storage. Importing them to your Android phone gives you Google Photos backup, direct file access, expandable storage options, and freedom from recurring fees. Over 10,000 users have made the switch, and the average import wraps up in about 8 minutes of active time.
Ready to save your Snapchat memories to your Android phone?
Download Memories Import from Google Play and transfer all your photos and videos in minutes. One-time purchase, no subscriptions.
Download Now - $4.99