Snapchat Officially Removes Free Memory Storage

Snapchat is introducing a new limit to its Memories feature — the digital archive where users save Snaps and Stories — and making users pay if they go over. After nearly a decade of free unlimited storage, Snapchat will now cap free access to just 5 GB. Users with more than 5 GB of saved Memories will need to subscribe to new paid plans.

The changes were announced in a Snapchat blog post and in communications with users. To ease the transition, the company is offering 12 months of temporary storage for any Memories exceeding the free limit. Users can also download content to their devices to avoid loss.

New Plans & Pricing

Snapchat is launching tiered storage subscriptions:

• Basic paid plan: 100 GB for $1.99/month
• Snapchat+ users: 250 GB included in the $3.99/month upgraded subscription
• Snapchat Platinum tier: up to 5 TB of storage at $15.99/month

These tiers are meant to serve users with heavy storage needs, while the majority of users—those under 5 GB—won’t be immediately impacted.

Why Snapchat Made the Change

Snapchat said the change is necessary given the scale of data growth. Since Memories launched, users have saved over a trillion Snaps. The cost to maintain infrastructure, servers, and data storage has ballooned. The company also stated that transitioning to a paid model allows it to continue improving and investing in Memories for the community.

Snapchat also emphasized that the rollout is gradual and meant to affect only the most data-intensive users. For those under the 5 GB cap, the experience remains unchanged.

What Users Can Do

For those already above 5 GB, Snapchat offers options:

• Subscribe to a storage plan
• Download Memories to your device
• Let older Snaps be deleted: Snapchat will retain your more recent saves and prune older ones, starting with the oldest content over the limit

Users are encouraged to act proactively so they don’t lose content they care about.

Impact & Reactions

Many users reacted with frustration and criticism online, feeling that what was once a free service is now a monetized feature. Some compared it to paywalls in other apps or services. Others accepted it, noting that companies eventually need sustainable revenue models.

Tech observers expect this move may boost Snapchat’s average revenue per user (ARPU) and shift how social apps approach “freemium” features. There’s also a risk: pushing users to pay may drive some away or encourage alternative platforms.

Conclusion

Snapchat’s new cap on free Memories storage signals a shift in how social apps balance free services with infrastructure costs, for most users under 5 GB, little changes. But for heavy users, a decision looms: pay up, prune memories, or migrate them off the platform.

As the digital memory economy grows, what we once treated as “free” may increasingly feel like paid space. Snapchat is just one of many tech platforms that are testing how far users will go to preserve their digital past.

You might also want to read: This Woman Experienced the Most Terrifying Hinge Date