Snapchat updates automatically on most phones, but you can force it to check right now
Snapchat installs new versions in the background by default. Your phone checks for updates while you sleep or when the app is closed, and downloads them automatically if you have auto-update turned on. But if you want the new version immediately — or if you suspect an update is stuck — you can open your app store and check manually in about 30 seconds.
The steps differ slightly between iPhone and Android, but both take you to the same place: the app store on your phone, where you can see if an update is waiting and tap a button to install it.
Key Takeaways
- Snapchat updates automatically on iPhones through the App Store and on Android phones through Google Play, so you may already have the latest version without doing anything.
- To check manually on iPhone, open the App Store, tap your profile picture, find Snapchat, and tap Update if the button appears.
- To check manually on Android, open Google Play, search for Snapchat, and tap Update if the button appears instead of Open.
- If an update is stuck or won't install, restarting your phone and checking your internet connection usually fixes the problem.
- You can turn on automatic updates in your phone's settings so you never have to check manually again.
How to update Snapchat on iPhone
Open the App Store app on your home screen. Tap the profile icon in the top right corner — it looks like a small circle with your photo or initials inside. This takes you to your account page.
Scroll down until you see Snapchat in the list of apps you have installed. If an update is waiting, you will see a button that says "Update" next to the app name. Tap it. The app will download and install in the background, and the button will change to say "Open" when it is finished. You do not have to wait for it to complete — you can close the App Store and use your phone normally.
If you see "Open" instead of "Update", you already have the latest version. If Snapchat does not appear in your list at all, scroll down further or use the search icon at the bottom of the App Store to find it.
How to update Snapchat on Android
Open Google Play, which is the app store on Android phones. It usually has a white triangle icon and is called "Play Store" on your home screen. Tap the search icon at the bottom and type "Snapchat" in the search box.
When Snapchat appears in the results, tap it to open the app page. If an update is waiting, you will see a button that says "Update" in blue. Tap it. The app will download and install, and the button will change to "Open" when it is done. Like on iPhone, you can close Google Play and use your phone while the update installs.
If the button says "Open" or "Install", you either have the latest version or Snapchat is not installed yet. If you do not see Snapchat in the search results, make sure you spelled it correctly — the official app is just called "Snapchat" with a capital S.
Turn on automatic updates so you never have to check manually
If you want Snapchat to update without you doing anything, you can turn on automatic updates in your phone's settings. On iPhone, open Settings, tap your name at the top, go to Media & Purchases, then tap Automatic Downloads. Turn on the toggle next to Apps. On Android, open Google Play, tap your profile icon in the top right, go to Settings, tap Network Preferences, and turn on Auto-update apps. Choose "Over any network" if you want updates to download on mobile data, or "Over Wi-Fi only" if you want to wait for a Wi-Fi connection.
Once automatic updates are on, Snapchat will install new versions in the background without you opening the app store. You may not notice the update happened until you open Snapchat and see new features or a slightly different layout.
What to do if an update is stuck or will not install
If you tapped Update but the button is still there after an hour, or if the app keeps crashing after an update, restart your phone. Turn it completely off, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. This clears temporary files that sometimes block updates from finishing.
Check your internet connection next. Updates need a stable connection to download fully. If you are on mobile data, try switching to Wi-Fi. If you are on Wi-Fi, move closer to the router or restart it by unplugging it for 10 seconds.
If the update still will not install after restarting your phone and checking your connection, try uninstalling Snapchat and reinstalling it fresh from the app store. This removes any corrupted files that might be causing the problem. You will not lose your account or messages — they are saved on Snapchat's servers, not on your phone.
How to tell what version of Snapchat you have
On iPhone, open the App Store, tap your profile icon, scroll to Snapchat, and look at the version number under the app name. It will say something like "Version 12.45.0.2". On Android, open Google Play, search for Snapchat, and scroll down on the app page to find "About this app". The version number is listed there.
You do not usually need to know your version number — the app store handles versions automatically. But if Snapchat is crashing or a feature is not working, support staff sometimes ask for your version number to troubleshoot the problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Snapchat say there is an update but I already updated it?
The app store sometimes shows an update button even after you have installed the latest version. Close the app store completely and reopen it — the button usually disappears. If it stays, restart your phone. If it still appears after a restart, the app store may have a glitch; try again in a few hours.
Can I use Snapchat while an update is installing?
Yes. Once you tap Update, you can close the app store and use Snapchat normally. The update installs in the background. You may notice the app is slightly slower while the update is downloading, but you can still send messages and view stories.
What happens to my messages and photos if I update Snapchat?
Nothing. Updates only change the app code, not your account data. Your messages, photos, and friends list stay exactly as they are. Snapchat stores everything on its servers, so your data is safe even if something goes wrong during the update.
Do I have to update Snapchat, or can I keep using the old version?
You can delay an update, but eventually your phone will force it to install if you have automatic updates on. If you turn off automatic updates, you can keep using an older version indefinitely, but you may miss security fixes and new features. Most people should update within a week or two of when the update becomes available.
Why is Snapchat crashing after I updated it?
Crashes after an update usually mean the app did not install completely or your phone does not have enough storage space. Restart your phone first. If crashes continue, check how much free space you have — go to Settings and look at Storage. If you have less than 1 GB free, delete photos, videos, or other apps to make room, then try using Snapchat again.