Snapchat’s 5GB threshold triggers new Memories storage plans
In a Friday announcement, Snapchat revealed that starting soon, users who have more than 5GB of “Memories”—the in‑app photo and video stash—will face charges to keep their content stored. The company framed Memories as a curated collection of moments chosen by users, not a generic camera roll, and said the change is aimed at ensuring long‑term accessibility while sustaining the service’s infrastructure.
How Memories has grown
Since Memories launched in 2016, Team Snapchat says users worldwide have saved more than 1 trillion Snaps as part of this feature. That scale, the company notes, is part of why storage needs are evolving. “Unlike the camera roll full of duplicates and screenshots, Memories on Snapchat are special because Snapchatters choose to save the moments that really matter,” Snapchat stated in its release. The shift reflects a broader trend across digital services: as libraries of user content expand, premium storage options often accompany the free tier.
What the new storage options look like
Snapchat introduced tiered storage options to handle large libraries. The new Memories Storage Plans include:
- 100GB or 250GB storage via Snapchat+ monthly subscription.
- 5TB storage via Snapchat Platinum.
For most users—those with under 5GB of Memories—”nothing will change.” For Snapchatters with more than 5GB, a new path to upgrade will be available. In addition, Snapchat will provide 12 months of temporary Memories storage for any data that exceeds the 5GB limit, giving users a grace period to decide on a plan or to back up content elsewhere.
Timing and pricing: what we know and don’t
As of now, Snapchat has not disclosed pricing for the Memory Storage Plans or the exact launch date for billing. A spokesperson told USA Today that pricing details and timing are still being finalized. In the meantime, users have time to review their Memories and decide whether to upgrade or to export. The absence of a clear price has sparked conversations among power users who rely on vast archives for nostalgia, collaboration, or creator work.
How to download your Memories before you pay
If you’d rather not pay for extra storage, you can export Memories to your device or download your data directly from Snapchat. Here’s how:
Export individual Snaps or a selection
- Open Snapchat.
- Tap the Memories icon.
- Press and hold on the Snap(s) you want to save, then tap Export.
- Choose a destination on your device.
Download all Memories data
Alternatively, you can request a data export that includes Memories:
- Open Snapchat or sign in at accounts.snapchat.com.
- Go to Settings and select My Data.
- Choose the date range and confirm your email address.
- Submit; you’ll receive a link by email when the export is ready. The data arrives as a zip file.
With these options, users can preserve their most important Moments even if they decide not to subscribe to a larger storage plan.
Why this matters for Snapchatters
For frequent users with large archives, the new pricing scaffolds a change in how Memories are stored. It also mirrors a broader trend among social platforms to monetize cloud storage or migrate heavy users to premium tiers—often with the goal of funding infrastructure and ensuring data durability as libraries grow. Critics worry about the potential impact on content retention for nostalgic users and creators who rely on large libraries within the app. Supporters argue that paid storage plans can help keep servers running smoothly and reduce long-term costs while offering reliable data redundancy.
Bottom line
Snapchat’s move to monetize Memories storage is a notable shift for an app celebrated for ephemeral messaging and curated archives. Light users will not notice a change, while power users may need to weigh the costs of continuing to keep thousands of Snaps within the app. Regardless of the path chosen, Snapchat offers clear ways to back up Memories and protect cherished moments, either by upgrading storage or by exporting data to devices.
