Good question — this comes up a lot because Snapchat’s storage behavior on iPhones can be confusing.

Here’s what’s really going on 👇

🔹 1. Snapchat doesn’t fully use iCloud Drive for storage

Even though Snapchat is allowed to use iCloud (for example, for chat backups or Memories if you enable them), it stores a lot of data locally on your iPhone. This includes:

• Cached images, videos, and stories you’ve viewed recently

• Temporary files for faster loading

• Drafts, stickers, lenses, and filters

• Login/session data

This local cache improves app speed and performance — it’s faster to reopen snaps or scroll through chat history if they’re stored locally.

🔹 2. iCloud Backup ≠ iCloud Storage

When you turn on iCloud Backup for Snapchat, it only includes app data in your general device backup.
That means:

• The data isn’t accessible like regular files in iCloud Drive.

• Snapchat decides what to store in iCloud vs. locally.

Most of Snapchat’s cache stays on the phone to keep the app snappy (no pun intended 😄).

🔹 3. “Offloading” doesn’t remove Snapchat’s cache

If you use Settings → iPhone Storage → Offload App, iOS removes the app binary but keeps local documents and data (including Snapchat’s cache).
So it looks like it’s offloaded, but gigabytes of media may still be sitting there.

🔹 4. Snapchat’s iCloud usage is limited

Snapchat Memories can optionally back up to iCloud, but only if:

• You have “Backup Progress” complete in Memories settings.

• You’ve enabled iCloud for Snapchat under Settings → Apple ID → iCloud → Manage Apps Using iCloud.

Even then, Snapchat often uses its own cloud servers, not iCloud, for Memories.

✅ What you can do

If you want to reduce local storage:

1. Go to Snapchat → Settings → Clear Cache → Clear All.

2. Offload the app and reinstall it.

3. Make sure Memories backup is completed before clearing anything.