Snapchat has introduced a new policy that affects how much free storage users get on its Memories feature. For years, people have been saving their snaps in Memories without thinking about space. Now, Snapchat says that free storage will be capped at 5GB.
Anyone with more than 5GB of saved photos and videos will need to pay for a storage plan or find another way to save their snaps.
This change is big news for long time Snapchat users. Many people have been using Memories as a digital diary since it was launched in 2016. Snapchat says over one trillion Memories have been saved so far.
With so much data being stored, the company says it needs to find a way to keep the service running smoothly and fairly.
What exactly is changing
The biggest change is that free Snapchat Memories are now limited to 5GB. Once you go beyond this limit, you will need to subscribe to one of Snapchat’s new storage plans.
Here is what the new plans look like:
- 100GB of storage for $1.99 per month
- 250GB of storage included in Snapchat+ for $3.99 per month
- 5TB of storage included in Snapchat Platinum for $15.99 per month
Snapchat says these prices may change depending on the country.
If you go over 5GB, Snapchat will not delete your content right away. Instead, you will get 12 months of temporary storage for the extra files. This gives you one full year to either pay for a plan or download your Memories to your device.
Why is Snapchat making this change
When Snapchat launched Memories in 2016, it was just a small feature to save snaps that mattered the most. At the time, the company did not expect it to grow into what it is today. But after nearly a decade, users have saved so many files that the company says it needs to manage storage better.
In a blog post, Snapchat admitted that moving from free storage to paid storage is not easy. The company said it understands that users may not like the change, but explained that this step will allow it to keep improving the Memories feature.
What happens if you do nothing
If you have less than 5GB of Memories, you do not need to worry. Nothing will change for you. The new rule only affects people with more than 5GB of saved content.
If you have more than 5GB and you do not sign up for a storage plan, Snapchat will give you a year to sort things out. After that, your oldest Snaps will be kept, but newer ones that go beyond the 5GB limit may be deleted. This is why it is important to act early if you have a lot of saved Memories.
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How to avoid paying for storage
The good news is that you do not have to pay if you do not want to. Snapchat gives you two main options to save your Memories for free.
Option 1: Save in batches
- Open Snapchat and tap the Memories icon.
- Tap Select at the top of the screen.
- Choose up to 100 snaps.
- Tap the Export button and pick where you want to save them, like your phone’s gallery.
- Download and repeat until you have saved everything you want.
Option 2: Download all data
- Go to your Snapchat profile and open Settings.
- Scroll down and select My Data.
- Choose what you want to download.
- Pick a time frame, or select All Time.
- Submit the request and wait for the email.
- Download the zip file to your computer and keep your Memories safe.
This second option is best if you have a large collection, because it saves everything at once.
Why this matters
For many people, Snapchat Memories are not just random snaps. They are a collection of moments with friends, family, school, holidays, and other special times. Losing them can feel like losing part of your life. That is why this update matters.
Snapchat says most people have less than 5GB of saved content, so they will not be affected. But heavy users with thousands of saved snaps now have to choose between paying for extra space or moving their files somewhere else.
The Bottom Line
While this move may feel like Snapchat is forcing users to pay, the company insists it is necessary to keep the feature running for the long term.
If you are a light user, you can relax. Nothing changes for you. But if you have been saving every snap since 2016, now is the time to check your storage. Either subscribe to a plan or back up your Memories elsewhere before you lose them.
This update shows that even popular free features can change over time. The best way to stay safe is to download and back up your data, so you always have control over your special moments.
