Snapchat Memories Security Restriction: “Try Again After 72 Hours”
Some people get a security message instead of their Memories export. Here is what is known about it, what other users report, and how to make sure the export works once it goes through.
Drop the mydata~….zip files from Snapchat. Each photo and video that can be matched to memories_history.json gets its capture date and location written into the file (JPEG photos and MP4/MOV videos); anything that can't be matched is kept unchanged and listed in report.csv. Nothing is uploaded. Free for up to 200 files.
Open the Snapchat Memories fixer →The message
When requesting a Memories export at accounts.snapchat.com → My Data, some users get:
Security restriction: Please try again from this device after 72 hours.
What users report
- Reports on r/SnapchatHelp (August, September and October 2026) mention it when exporting all Memories, in one case with "All Time" selected.
- It shows up on phones and computers; one user tried "for weeks on different devices".
- Some users say they waited more than 72 hours and still got the message.
- The same message was already reported in 2025 (r/SnapchatHelp, May 2025).
What Snapchat does say: its help article “My account settings aren't working” mentions a 72-hour wait for deleting an account — “For security reasons, we have protections in place to ensure account actions are not taken by an unauthorized user, so if you're asked to wait 72 hours… be sure to do so using the same device.” It does not mention data exports.
What we could not find: an official Snapchat explanation of what triggers the restriction for data exports, or a confirmed way around it. This page will be updated if that changes.
What you can do
- Wait the full 72 hours on the same device — the message says "from this device", and Snapchat's help center gives the same advice for its 72-hour account wait ("be sure to do so using the same device") — and avoid retrying in between.
- Use a device you are regularly logged in on. Some users suggest requesting the export from such a device (for example in the app under Settings → My Data). This is a user report, not a confirmed fix.
- Request only what you need: "Request Only Memories" with Export your Memories and Export JSON Files turned on; you also need the JSON files for the dates.
- If it keeps appearing, contact Snapchat Support through the Snapchat help center.
- Plan for the delay: Snapchat says it strives to deliver exports within 7 days, and the January 2027 storage change is coming — see the Snapchat Memories deadline.
Once the export goes through
Download every mydata~….zip part soon after the email arrives (community reports range from about 3 to 7 days, depending on the source), and drop them into the Snapchat Memories downloader to restore the dates and locations. Other export problems are covered in Snapchat Memories export not working.
FAQ
What is the 72 hour security restriction on Snapchat?
It is a message Snapchat shows when it blocks a request — users see it when they try to export their Memories from My Data: "Security restriction: Please try again from this device after 72 hours." Snapchat's help center mentions a 72-hour wait only for deleting an account: "For security reasons, we have protections in place to ensure account actions are not taken by an unauthorized user… be sure to do so using the same device." It does not explain the message for data exports.
Is there a way around the 72-hour restriction?
We have not found a confirmed workaround. Users report seeing it on both phone and computer, and some still saw it after waiting 72 hours. The safest course is to wait the full period on the same device without retrying and, if it keeps appearing, contact Snapchat Support.
Will my Memories be lost while I wait?
No. Your Memories stay in your account. The storage change starts in January 2027 and archives (rather than deletes) older Memories beyond the first 5GB, according to Snapchat's help center.