Snapchat Memories Export Issues: Users Report Missing and Stuck Downloads

Many Snapchat users are facing a significant problem with the app’s Memories export feature. People attempting to download their archived photos and videos are reporting that the process either gets stuck indefinitely or completes with large portions of their content missing. These issues are causing widespread frustration as users try to back up their personal data.

The Problem: Incomplete and Failed Downloads

Complaints have been surfacing across platforms like Reddit over the past few weeks. Users describe requesting a full backup of their Snapchat Memories, only to receive an incomplete archive. In some cases, downloads that should contain thousands of files are finishing with only a fraction of the content.

One user detailed an attempt to download a 64GB archive containing nearly 12,000 videos. After multiple attempts using different devices and browsers, the download process would indicate completion but ultimately deliver only around 500 files. Others report that their downloads simply never finish, with files remaining in a “downloading” state permanently.

This isn’t just a minor bug. For many, Snapchat Memories serves as a primary photo diary, storing years of personal moments. The failure of the export tool puts these personal archives at risk of being lost permanently.

Why is This Happening Now?

The rush to export seems to be driven by notifications from Snapchat warning users about low storage space. Faced with the choice to pay for a storage upgrade or download their data to free up space, many are opting for the latter. This storage pressure is turning a routine backup into a critical, and often failing, task.

The timing is particularly concerning, as the export tool is malfunctioning precisely when users need it most. The problem seems to go beyond slow processing times for large files, pointing to a more fundamental issue with the export system itself.

How to Export Your Snapchat Memories

Snapchat’s official process for exporting your data is straightforward, though its current effectiveness is in question. To try it yourself:

1. Log into your account on the Snapchat website.
2. Navigate to the “My Data” section.
3. Select the option to “Export your Memories.”
4. Choose your desired date range and submit the request.

You will receive an email with a link to download your data once it is ready.

Potential Workarounds and Solutions

While there is no official fix from Snapchat yet, some users have shared methods that have worked for them. These are not guaranteed solutions but may be worth trying if you are facing issues:

• Try Smaller Date Ranges: Instead of exporting your entire history at once, try requesting smaller chunks, such as a single year or month.
• Refresh the Page: Some have reported that refreshing the download page after it reaches 100% can sometimes help capture missing files.
• Retry Multiple Times: Although tedious, simply trying the entire download process again has occasionally worked for some.

It’s important to be aware that even with these workarounds, a significant amount of data may fail to download, and some files could end up corrupted.

Snapchat has not yet released a public statement acknowledging these widespread export problems. Until a reliable solution is provided, users attempting to back up their Memories should proceed with caution and verify that all their files have been downloaded successfully. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available.