What To Do When You're Locked Out Of Snapchat

Depending on the extent of your addiction to Snapchat (because let's face it, we're all addicted to some degree), getting locked out of Snapchat is either a mild nuisance or a complete and utter disaster on par with losing the ability to communicate entirely. It can happen for a number of reasons, but fortunately, it's fairly easily resolved once you figure out what's going on — not that that makes the lockout any less annoying.

According to the app's website, there are three likely options for why you're locked out: Adding too many friends without verifying your phone number, engaging in "abusive behavior" like sending spam or unsolicited Snaps, or using a third-party app like Snap Upload or Casper. (If you're guilty of the latter, by the way, be wary of what you're downloading.) The last two reasons speak for themselves; Snapchat has community guidelines for what constitutes appropriate behavior, and it's made a point of cutting off third-party apps that access Snapchat data. However, in the first case, the lockout might seem like it came out of nowhere — Snapchat allows a lengthy grace period during which you're supposed to verify your number or email address, so you might have forgotten about it entirely. However, if you keep putting it off, your account will eventually be suspended until you verify the missing data.

So what are you supposed to do if you do find yourself locked out? Let's walk through the process below.

1. Try Again Later

Lockouts are usually temporary, and Snapchat's website instructs users whose accounts have been suspended to wait and try again the next day.

2. Uninstall Third-Party Apps

Snapchat really hates third-party apps, people — before you can regain access to your account, you have to uninstall any "third-party apps, plug-ins, and tweaks."

3. Resend The Verification Email

If you're locked out because you haven't verified your information, you'll need to resend the verification email. Head over to https://snapchat.com/unlock and follow the steps there. In fact, if you've waited, uninstalled any offending apps, and still can't log in, head over to that link no matter the reason for being locked out.

I'll leave you with a word of warning: The lockout should be temporary, but if you end up returning to your old ways, you could be locked out forever. Quelle horreur!

Images: DENIS CHARLET/AFP/Getty Images; Giphy