Snapchat is one of the quickest and easiest social media platforms used to communicate through photos and videos.

Because of its emphasis on security and safety, Snapchat may ban a user’s account due to violations, but it may also ban a medium like an internet connection or a device with which you use the Snapchat app.

If you have questions about the Snapchat device ban, this article provides answers to the WHY and the many HOWs about the Snapchat device ban.

I explain why Snapchat would ban a device, how you know that your device is banned, how long the ban lasts and how to fix the Snapchat device ban and restore your chat enjoyment.

Note: A device ban does not mean your Snapchat account is banned too.

The WHY

Why would Snapchat ban a device?

Snapchat has set rules and guidelines, operation procedures, expectations and limits within which it operates. 

If these boundaries are crossed or rules and guidelines breached, Snapchat reserves the right to impose a ban – temporarily or permanently, on either a Snapchat account or a device on which Snapchat is used. 

Here are some common reasons why Snapchat would ban a device:

1. Violations/breaches  

If you breach the terms of service or terms and conditions set by Snapchat, your device can get banned. 

These violations can include sharing of inappropriate content – for example sexually explicit content, content related to trafficking or drug abuse; spamming; or impersonation, among others. 

These can earn you a ban temporarily or permanently. 

2. Use of unauthorized third-party apps

Some features and/or functions may not be supported by Snapchat’s official app, but are offered by other apps or plugins. 

These are third-party apps, and they sometimes may violate Snapchat’s terms and conditions. 

So if you have engaged in using unauthorized third-party apps that violate these terms, this could lead to a device ban. 

Some plugins prohibited by Snapchat include Emulator, Phantom, Snap Tools, and Sneakaboo among others. 

3. Unfamiliar Internet protocol (IP) address 

If your device is linked to a suspiciously unfamiliar IP address, it can attract a ban from Snapchat. This could be because you logged into Snapchat using a VPN which masks your IP address.

4. Someone reported you 

Because of respect for privacy and security, Snapchat has a provision for users to report any illegal or abusive content or engagement from other users. 

When users submit such reports, Snapchat investigates them and if any actions are found to breach the terms of use, the account or device can be restricted to maintain a safe and respectable environment. 

5. Violence against others or yourself

Violence on Snapchat can range from insisting on getting in touch with a user who has blocked you on the platform; sharing private information or data without consent from the owner; refusing to take down the shared information even after being asked to; to sharing content that suggests harm to yourself or others. 

Any of these could earn you a device ban. 

The HOW

How do you know if Snapchat has banned your device?

Okay, so we know that Snapchat can ban your device for different reasons, but is it easy to conclude that it is a ban? 

Here are some ways you can tell that Snapchat has banned your device:

Locked out of the Snapchat account; if you are having trouble accessing Snapchat on your device and are unable to create a new Snapchat account using the same device, then your device has been banned. 

“Permanently banned” notice! If you try to unlock your Snapchat and get the “permanently banned” notice, it means that you were banned. 

How long does a Snapchat ban last? 

The Snapchat device ban can last between a few hours to six months depending on the reasons for its imposition. 

This period can be prolonged especially if you insist on accessing Snapchat on the same banned device. The ban may take up to 12 months. 

Hence, it is important to refrain from nagging activity during the ban period.  

How to fix the Snapchat device ban? 

Snapchat temporary bans can be fixed, or you can find a way to get around them either by waiting patiently or taking some action. 

Here are some ways you can deal with Snapchat device bans: 

Fix one: Wait it out! 

Snapchat temporary bans can take between hours and months before being lifted. 

You may need to wait until the designated period passes for the ban to be lifted. 

This is the safest, most reliable and most ethical way of fixing a device ban on Snapchat. You could even choose to take the ban as a ‘break’. 

Typically, a longer ban may take between 6 to 12 months to be lifted if you take no action. So if you choose to wait it out, this may be your waiting period. 

However, if you are not ready to wait for the ban to pass because you have little time or want to urgently access the platform, there are options you can try to get unbanned, or at least shorten the waiting period. 

Let’s see these in the remaining fixes…

Fix two: update the Snapchat app

Making sure that your device app is up to date may be the simplest solution you need to regain access to your Snapchat account. 

This can help especially if the ban is due to a bug or glitches in the Snapchat system. Updates help fix bugs, and give you the latest features and improvements. 

You can update your app by 

1. Visiting the store; open the Google Play Store on your Android, or the app store on your iOS
2. Finding Snapchat; find Snapchat by typing “Snapchat” in the search bar then search. Tap on the Snapchat app, this should give you the app icon with two options. 
3. Update; if your app needs to update, you will have the update option and the uninstall option. Tap Update, and wait a while for the update to continue.
4. Open; when the update is done, the update option is replaced by the open option. Tap to open the app and see if you have access back. 

Fix three: Adjust device date and time

You can adjust the date and time on your device to give the impression that time has passed since the imposition of the ban. 

This can help clear device-related issues and restore access to your Snapchat app. 

To change the date and time; 

• Uninstall the Snapchat app; to uninstall to app,
  1. Tap and hold the Snapchat app on your device, 

2. tap on the info icon to go to app info, 

3. Then uninstall 

• Restart your banned device; you can restart the device by long pressing the device power button, 

tap on power off and restart. This will allow your device to turn off and then restart 

• Set date; now you can adjust the device date, to do this;
  1. go to settings, 
  2. tap on General, 

3. scroll down to Date and Time
4. disable ‘set automatically to activate the set date and set time options

5. tap on the set date option and adjust the date to at least one month ahead of the ban date. Then tap OK

• Reinstall Snapchat; you can now open the Google Play Store, search for Snapchat and install the app. 

This fix requires that you create a new Snapchat account, so you should use it if you are ready to let go or lose the past on Snapchat. 

Fix four: switch to a different device

If the Snapchat ban is device-specific and not account-related, it means you can access your account when you use a different device. 

You can download and install Snapchat on an alternative device, sign in with your Snapchat details and enjoy the app again. 

However, try; 

• Not to connect to local Wifi networks; 
• Not to use the sim card as in the banned device;
• Not to use a VPN on the new device; and 
• To use a different Gmail account for verification. 

Fix five: contact Snapchat support; 

You can contact the support center and report the inability to access your account. Snapchat support can be contacted through the web page, or from the Snapchat app. 

In the app, you can get support by following these steps:

1. Launch the Snapchat app on your device
2. Click on the avatar profile picture in the top left corner 

3. Click on the settings icon in the top right corner to access a settings menu

4. Scroll down to support, tap on the I need help option and follow the prompts 

Since your device is banned, you can contact Snapchat through a friend’s Snapchat app by following the above. 

Or, you can contact them through the official email or their social media links. 

Also Read: How Long Does Someone Stay In Your Recents On Snapchat?

FAQ

Conclusion

A Snapchat device ban can be a result of different things and can be either temporary or permanent depending on the violation and the number of times it has happened. 

The good news is that you can do something to get around the device ban. 

However, keep in mind that if Snapchat identifies a banned device trying to dodge the probation, the device or account ban risks an extension of the ban or even a permanent cut-off. 

It is therefore vital to tread cautiously and wisely. 

Overall, it is important to use Snapchat respectfully and carefully – within the limits and community guidelines to avoid Snapchat device bans, but also for the benefit of your and other user’s enjoyment of the social media platform’s amazing features.