Snapchat Introduces a 5GB Annual Cap on Memories
Snapchat has announced a shift in how it handles the Memories feature, the in-app cloud storage where users save photos and videos. Starting this year, there will be an annual cap of 5 gigabytes (GB) for Memories. If a user exceeds this limit, the digital photo album risks being erased unless the user upgrades their storage. The company emphasizes that upgrading is optional but necessary for those who want to keep a growing collection of saved memories.
What this means for Memories users
Memories has long been marketed as a convenient, private vault for the images and clips created and saved through the app. The new policy introduces a hard ceiling on how much can be stored without paying. Snapchat explains the cap as a response to how rapidly Memories has expanded beyond its original expectations. In a press release, the company stated that it never anticipated Memories to grow so large and that the size of user libraries has driven the need for a pricing tier.
Pricing options and what they include
The price structure that accompanies the change reveals a tiered approach to storage. The cheapest option is a 100GB plan priced at $1.99 per month. This tier is aimed at casual users who accumulate a modest number of saved photos and clips each year. A broader option, already available today as Snapchat Plus, offers 250GB for a monthly fee of roughly 38 Swedish kronor (SEK). The most expansive tier mentioned is around 150 SEK per month and provides up to 5 terabytes (TB) of storage, which should cover even heavy memory collectors and longer video clips.
Why users might choose to upgrade
For many, Memories represents a personal archive—snaps from daily life, special events, and moments they want to revisit. The growth of these libraries can be substantial, especially for power users who routinely save and revisit long-form clips. The paid upgrades are framed as optional but practical for anyone who expects their Memories to outgrow the 5GB annual limit. Snapchat also hints at ongoing value in its paid tiers, suggesting that the feature set and reliability of Memories justify the cost for dedicated users.
What happens if you don’t upgrade?
If a user remains at or below the 5GB limit, nothing changes. However, surpassing the cap triggers a reminder that the stored content may be deleted unless the user subscribes to a higher storage tier. This policy is designed to encourage proactive management of one’s Saved Memories while offering a clear path to retain them through subscription.
Alternatives for preserving memories without paying
Not everyone will want or be able to pay for extra storage. Snapchat suggests that users who prefer not to upgrade can download their saved images and videos to their devices. This creates a local backup that sidesteps the cloud storage cap entirely, albeit at the cost of manual backup effort and potential safety concerns if devices are lost or damaged.
Implications for users and the platform
The shift from free access to paid storage marks a notable change in how Snapchat monetizes its most personal feature. While the Memories tool remains integrated with the app, the new pricing model signals a stronger emphasis on subscription revenue and user choice. For some, the move could be a friction point, especially for new users accustomed to generous or unlimited storage. For others, especially those who already rely on large archives, the change may be a welcome reminder to curate and manage their digital keepsakes more deliberately.
Final thoughts
Snapchat’s decision to impose a 5GB annual cap on Memories and offer tiered upgrades reflects broader trends in digital storage where services monetize cloud capabilities. The company stresses that the value of Memories remains intact for those who opt to pay, while providing a straightforward download option for those who’d rather keep their memories offline. As user habits shift, it will be interesting to see how this policy influences how people capture, store, and revisit moments captured through the app.
