Overview: Snapchat Introduces a 5 GB Cap on Memories Storage
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Snapchat announced a new policy that places a hard limit on how much you can store in Memories, the app’s feature for saving photos and videos. The cap is set at 5 GB per year, after which items in Memories may be deleted unless you opt into a paid upgrade. The move marks a shift from a freely growing archive to a paid storage model and has sparked discussions among users about data permanence and cost.
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How the Cap Works
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According to a press release, Memories will be bounded by an annual 5 GB threshold. Items saved to Memories beyond that limit could be removed automatically to make space for new content. This means that active savers with large libraries will need to decide how to proceed either by pruning content, downloading copies, or purchasing additional storage.
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Pricing and Upgrade Options
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Snapchat has laid out several paid tiers for those who want to keep growing their Memories collection. The options publicly cited include:
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- 100 GB for about 1.99 USD per month (roughly 17 SEK)
- 250 GB as part of the existing Snapchat Plus plan for about 38 SEK per month
- 5 TB (top tier) for around 150 SEK per month
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In company statements, executives emphasize that the Memories experience is valuable enough to warrant ongoing access through paid plans, and the pricing is designed to reflect that value.
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What This Means for Users
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For many users, the change translates into a straightforward decision: keep Memories as a free service with a capped limit, or pay for more space. Those not ready to pay can still export or download saved clips and photos to keep a local copy on their devices. The export option helps preserve memories outside the cloud even if the Memories storage is capped or upgraded.
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Managing Memories and Data Backup
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To stay within the limit, users might prune their archive, delete duplicates, or move key items to local storage. Regularly reviewing saved memories can prevent accidental deletions, and downloading a local copy provides an offline backup. For creators who rely on Memories for archiving content, the new pricing could shift how they approach capture, organization, and long term storage in the app. Some users may also consider third party cloud backups for large libraries while keeping essential items in Memories for quick access.
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Industry Context
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Pricing storage as a service is a common move as platforms mature and user libraries grow. Snapchat frames the change as a way to sustain Memories over time while offering scalable options for larger libraries. The broader trend saw many consumers accept paid tiers when added value and reliability are demonstrated, even for services that began as free.
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Final Take
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The introduction of a 5 GB per year cap on Memories storage represents a notable shift for a platform known for casual, posterity friendly sharing. Whether the new paid tiers hit the right balance of value and cost remains to be seen, but the option to upgrade to 100 GB, 250 GB, or 5 TB provides a clear path for users who want to preserve their digital memories. If you prefer not to pay, the recommended approach is to download essential memories now and manage your archive across devices.
