Snapchat introduces a paid storage option for Memories
Snapchat has announced a shift in how Memories, the feature that lets users save photos and videos, is stored. A five gigabyte per year cap will apply to saved content. If users surpass this limit, items stored in Memories could be deleted unless they upgrade to a paid plan. The move marks a notable step in monetizing a feature that many users rely on to keep a personal archive of their Snaps.
In a press release, Snapchat explains that Memories has grown far beyond what was anticipated at launch. The company says it wants to maintain service quality and reliability as user libraries expand, and that paid storage is a way to sustain the feature for everyone. The adjustment is framed as a choice rather than a mandatory upgrade, with several paid options available for those who want to keep adding to their digital photo albums.
Pricing and storage tiers
The new structure includes several tiers with different amounts of storage and price points. The cheapest option provides 100 GB of storage for about 1.99 USD per month. For existing users of Snapchat Plus, the service currently offers 250 GB of storage at around 38 SEK per month. The top tier delivers a substantial 5 TB of storage, priced at roughly 150 SEK per month. In U S terms, this translates to roughly 2 USD for 100 GB, a mid tier around 3 to 4 USD for 250 GB, and a high capacity option in the low double digits for 5 TB.
The way the tiers are presented, the 5 GB annual cap remains the baseline for free or non upgraded accounts, while the paid plans unlock additional storage and guard against automatic deletion of saved Memories. Snapchat notes that the value of Memories should justify the cost for users who accumulate large personal libraries.
What this means for users
For many, Memories has been a convenient, cloud based scrapbook. The new policy introduces a clear threshold between free usage and paid storage, with real consequences if the cap is reached. Heavily engaged users who routinely save photos and videos could see newer items at risk of being removed unless they subscribe to a higher tier. It is a reminder that digital archives once considered free may come with ongoing storage costs as platforms manage growing data footprints.
How to manage Memories if you decide not to pay
If you choose not to upgrade, you still have options to protect your content. The recommended approach is to export or download saved memories from the app to a local device. Once saved locally, you can back up your files on another cloud service or external storage. Regularly reviewing and archiving your gallery can help prevent loss when the cap approaches. Snapchat users who want to stay inside the free tier can also consider trimming duplicate files or moving older clips to offline storage before the limit renews each year.
Why the shift fits a broader trend
<pThis move reflects a broader industry shift toward monetizing storage and premium features once offered freely. As platforms accumulate vast amounts of user generated content, the economics of hosting and preserving data come under scrutiny. The reception among users is mixed, with some appreciating clarified limits and others questioning the friction created by paid tiers for a feature many relied on as part of the app experience.
The bottom line
<pSnapchat has chosen to monetize Memories storage via a tiered system while preserving a free baseline with a defined cap. For users who value a large digital archive, the new pricing provides clear options, from 100 GB to 5 TB. For those who prefer not to pay, downloading memories and backing them up elsewhere remains a viable path. As with many platform changes, the impact will vary depending on how much content users save and how essential Memories remains to their online routine.
