If your Snapchat data export links have expired, you need to request a new export from accounts.snapchat.com. The download links inside your export ZIP file are only valid for 7 days after generation, and there is no way to renew them. A new request takes 24 to 48 hours and gives you a fresh set of working links.
Why Snapchat Export Links Expire
When you request a data export from Snapchat, the company does not embed your actual photos and videos in the ZIP file. Instead, it generates temporary, pre-signed download URLs that point to your media stored on Snapchat's CDN (content delivery network). These URLs contain embedded authentication tokens that are set to expire exactly 7 days after the export is created.
Snapchat implements this expiration for several security reasons:
- Unauthorized access prevention - The download links do not require a password to use. Anyone with the link could download your media. A 7-day expiration limits the window of vulnerability if your export email is intercepted or your ZIP file is shared accidentally.
- Storage management - Snapchat generates unique temporary copies of your media for the export. Expiring the links allows Snapchat to clean up these temporary copies and free server resources.
- Data freshness - An old export may not reflect your current library. By requiring new requests for fresh links, Snapchat ensures you always get an up-to-date snapshot of your memories.
How to Tell If Your Links Have Expired
There are several signs that your Snapchat export download links have expired:
- Error messages when downloading - If you try to access a download link directly in a browser, you will see an error page or an access denied message instead of your photo or video.
- Memories Import shows failed downloads - If you open an old export in Memories Import, the app will attempt to download each memory through its link. Expired links will fail, and you will see a high failure rate or error messages.
- It has been more than 7 days - Count the days from when Snapchat generated your export (the date in the notification email), not from when you downloaded the ZIP. If more than 7 days have passed since the export was created, the links are expired.
It is important to note that the 7-day countdown starts when Snapchat generates the export, which may be a day or two after you submitted the request. If you submitted your request on Monday and received the email on Wednesday, the links expire the following Wednesday, not the following Monday.
How to Request a New Export
Getting a fresh export with new, working download links is straightforward. The process is identical to your original request.
- Open a web browser and go to accounts.snapchat.com
- Log in with your Snapchat username and password
- Navigate to "My Data"
- Scroll to the bottom and click "Submit Request"
- Wait for the confirmation email from Snapchat
The new export will contain fresh download links valid for another 7 days. The process typically takes 24 to 48 hours, just like the original request. There is no penalty or limit for requesting multiple exports, so do not hesitate to submit a new request whenever you need one.
Will the New Export Be Different?
The new export will reflect the current state of your Snapchat account at the time of the new request. This means:
- New memories you saved since the last export will be included
- Deleted memories you removed since the last export will not appear
- All existing memories that were in the previous export will still be present (assuming you did not delete them from Snapchat)
- Download links will be entirely new URLs, different from the previous export
Partially Expired Exports
A common question is whether some links can expire while others remain active. In practice, all links in a single export share the same expiration date because they are all generated at the same time during export processing. If one link has expired, all of them have expired.
However, if you are experiencing a situation where some downloads succeed while others fail, and it has been fewer than 7 days, the issue is more likely a temporary server problem rather than expiration. In this case:
- Wait a few minutes and try again
- Check your internet connection
- If using Memories Import, the app automatically retries failed downloads
- If failures persist after multiple retries over several hours, the links may have expired earlier than expected or there may be a server issue on Snapchat's end
Best Practices to Avoid Expired Links
Prevention is far easier than dealing with expired links. Here are proven strategies to ensure you process your export before the 7-day window closes.
Process on Day One
The single most effective strategy is to process your export on the same day you receive the email. As soon as you see the notification, download the ZIP file and open it in Memories Import. Even a large import of several thousand memories can be completed within an hour or two. There is no benefit to waiting.
Set a Reminder
If you cannot process the export immediately, set a calendar reminder or phone alarm for no later than day 5 after receiving the email. This gives you a 2-day buffer in case something goes wrong. Label the reminder clearly so you remember what it is for.
Have Memories Import Ready
Download Memories Import for iOS or Memories Import for Android before you even request your export. Having the app installed and ready means zero friction when your export arrives. You can go from receiving the email to starting the import in under a minute.
Free Up Storage in Advance
One reason people delay processing their export is not having enough phone storage for all their memories. Check your available storage before requesting the export and free up space if needed. A large Snapchat library might need 10 to 30 GB of space. Clearing old apps, downloads, or temporary files can quickly free up the room you need.
Keep Your Phone Charged
Another common reason for delays is starting an import and having your phone die partway through. Begin the import with a full battery or keep your phone plugged in during the process. Memories Import supports pausing and resuming, so a dead battery will not lose your progress, but it will cost you time.
Use Wi-Fi
Processing a Snapchat export requires downloading all your memories through the links in the ZIP file. This can use significant amounts of mobile data, especially for large libraries with many videos. Connect to Wi-Fi before starting the import to avoid data charges and benefit from faster download speeds.
What If You Keep Missing the Window?
If you have requested multiple exports and the links keep expiring before you get around to processing them, consider these approaches:
Block Off Dedicated Time
The actual processing takes less than an hour for most users. Schedule a specific 30-minute block in your calendar for the day you expect to receive the export email. Treat it like an appointment you cannot miss. The hands-on work is minimal; you mostly just need to start the import and let it run.
Process Before Bed
Start the import right before you go to sleep. Open the ZIP file in Memories Import, tap Import, plug in your phone, and let it run overnight. By morning, all your memories will be safely in your camera roll. This works especially well for large libraries that take longer to process.
Ask Someone for Help
If you are struggling to find time, ask a trusted friend or family member to process the export on your phone. They will need access to your phone to open the ZIP file in Memories Import and tap the Import button, but the app does not require any account credentials or personal information beyond access to the photo library.
After Successfully Processing Your Export
Once Memories Import has finished importing all your memories to your camera roll, you are done. There is no need to keep the ZIP file or worry about link expiration anymore. Your memories are now permanent files in your photo library.
Here are the recommended next steps:
- Verify the import by scrolling through your camera roll and checking that old memories appear at their correct dates
- Enable cloud backup through iCloud Photos, Google Photos, or your preferred service to protect your memories with a cloud copy
- Delete the ZIP file from your phone to free up storage once you have confirmed the import was successful
- Consider a computer backup by transferring your camera roll to a desktop for long-term archival
A Note About Multiple Snapchat Accounts
If you have memories spread across multiple Snapchat accounts, you need to request and process separate exports for each account. Each account's export has its own set of download links with its own 7-day expiration window. Process one account at a time to avoid confusion, and make sure all links from one export are fully processed before moving on to the next account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Snapchat export download links expire?
Snapchat export links expire after 7 days as a security measure. The links are pre-signed URLs that allow anyone with the link to download your media without authentication. By setting a 7-day expiration, Snapchat limits the window in which the links are active, reducing the risk if the export email or ZIP file is accessed by an unauthorized person.
Can I extend or renew expired Snapchat export links?
No. Once Snapchat export links expire, they cannot be renewed or extended. The only option is to request a completely new data export from accounts.snapchat.com, which generates fresh download links with a new 7-day window. The new export typically takes 24 to 48 hours to prepare.
How many times can I request a Snapchat data export?
Snapchat does not publicly state a limit on the number of data export requests you can make. You can request a new export as many times as needed. However, each request takes 24 to 48 hours to process, and you can only have one active request at a time. There is no penalty for requesting multiple exports.
What happens if some but not all links in my export have expired?
All download links in a single export share the same expiration date since they are generated at the same time. If some links are failing while others work, the issue is likely a temporary server error rather than expiration. Try again in a few minutes. If all links are failing, they have expired and you need to request a new export. Memories Import handles failed downloads gracefully and will retry automatically.
Don't let your links expire again
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