Snapchat is one of the most popular messaging apps, but it has a habit of coming up with updates that users don’t always like. If you’ve installed the latest Snapchat update and you don’t like it, there’s a way to undo the update and go back to your preferred version of the app. But how do you undo the updates?

Short answer: To undo a Snapchat update, you must first uninstall the updated app from your phone, turn off automatic updates for future versions, then reinstall an older version APK from a trusted source.

The method only works on Android devices

Before you start, please note that this method only works on Android devices. iPhone has tight software controls that keep your app data backed up and prevent users from downgrading apps. So there is no way to downgrade Snapchat app on iPhone without jailbreaking your phone.

Here we have a step by step guide on how to undo Snapchat update on your Android phone:

Uninstall latest Snapchat update

In Android 8.0 and earlier, you could uninstall the latest Snapchat update from Application Manager, and it reverted to the previous version. But starting with Android 9.0, Google no longer allows this. The only way to go back is to uninstall the updated app and then reinstall an older version from a trusted source. We walk you through the process in more detail below:

Step 1: Back up your photos and contacts

Snapchat automatically backs up your snaps to its servers, but it’s always good to make sure every snap is stored securely so you don’t lose your memories if something goes wrong during the downgrade process. Follow the steps below to back up your files.

  1. Open the Snapchat camera screen.
  2. Swipe up to access the memories folder.
  3. Any snap that is not saved will have an arrowed circle in its corner.
  4. To save snaps, connect to Wi-Fi, and they will be saved automatically.

You can also export and save snaps to your device’s gallery, but an app backup should be enough to keep everything safe.

Step 2: Disable any automatic updates for Snapchat

You need to disable automatic updates to prevent your phone from updating the old version which you will install in the next step. This is extremely important because if enabled, your phone will add updates during installation, and you will end up with the latest version. To deactivate it:

  1. Go to Google Play Store on your phone.
  2. Type Snapchat in the search bar.
  3. Open the application window, then click on the three dots in the upper right corner of the screen.
  4. Uncheck the box next to Enable automatic update.

Step 3: Uninstall Snapchat from your phone

Once the preparatory work is done, you are ready to uninstall the Snapchat app from your phone.

  1. Go to your home screen, press and hold the Snapchat icon.
  2. Tap Uninstall in the app widget.
  3. Confirm your action by pressing OK in the message that is displayed.

Step 4: Download an old version of Snapchat

As the App Store only offers the latest version of Snapchat, you should download an old version of the app from a reliable source.

We recommend using reliable sites like APKMirror. Note that this is not an official source and we cannot guarantee its safety.

  1. Once you have selected a source, find the exact version of Snapchat you want to install.
  2. Download Snapchat APK file and run it.
  3. Your phone will probably ask you for permission to install apps from unknown sources.
  4. Confirm the action and wait for the installation to complete.
  5. Log in to your account and enjoy the old Snapchat experience.

Warning: Many Android apps found on alternative stores are infected with malware and can harm your phone. So make 100% sure about the safety of the app before downloading it from unknown source.

How to save your Snapchat from any future updates?

When the play store detects that you are using an older version of Snapchat, it starts asking your permission to enable updates. You should ignore these warnings and continue using your old version of Snapchat. But there’s also a workaround to preserve your preferred version in case you accidentally hit “update.”

All you need is a third-party backup app to archive Snapchat to your storage. Many backup apps are available on Play Store and APK stores. These apps keep a secure copy of each version separately, so you can easily roll back to a specific version when needed.

FAQs

Will my Snapchat account be deleted if I uninstall the app?

No, your account will not be deleted. You can log in to your account with the same credentials from any device.

What if I don’t want to uninstall Snapchat? Can I downgrade it without uninstalling it?

You can try to install only the latest updates, but it only works on Android 8.0 and earlier. If you have a newer version of Android, there is no other way.

Why does my Snapchat update automatically after reinstallation?

Check if you have left the automatic update function activated in the Play Store. If so, disable it and try again.

I am not comfortable installing apps from unknown sources. Is there another way?

No, unfortunately not. You will need to install the app from an APK source if you want to use an older version of Snapchat.

What if I want to install an older version of Snapchat on my iPhone?

iPhone users can only install an older version after first jailbreaking their phone. It’s not illegal, but Apple doesn’t recommend it because it can harm your phone.

Conclusion

So here is a simple method to take control of your Snapchat experience and prevent the app from updating without your consent. You can now switch back to the old, more user-friendly interface and enjoy all your favorite features by following the steps above.