After nearly a decade of acting as a free digital time capsule, Snapchat is officially putting limits on how much you can store in its Memories feature. The company confirmed that free Memories storage is now capped at 5 GB, and anything beyond that will soon require a paid plan.
What’s changing
If you’re a casual Snap user, you might not even notice the change. Most people don’t come close to 5 GB. But for anyone who’s been saving years of photos, videos, or chats, this update could mean you’ll have to make some decisions: either download your Memories elsewhere or pay to keep them stored on Snapchat’s servers.
New storage plans
Snapchat introduced a set of tiered Memories Storage Plans:
- 100 GB plan – $1.99 per month
- Snapchat+ users – $3.99 per month and now includes 250 GB of Memories storage
- Snapchat Platinum – $15.99 per month with a massive 5 TB of storage
If you’ve already passed the new 5 GB free limit, don’t panic just yet. Snapchat is giving a 12-month grace period before any Memories are deleted, giving you time to either subscribe or download your files.
Why is Snapchat doing this?
Snap says when Memories first launched, it never expected users to save so much. Fast-forward to 2025, and the platform has now crossed 1 trillion saved Snaps. Hosting that kind of data isn’t cheap. With competitors like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok generating billions of interactions daily, Snapchat is under pressure to manage its growing infrastructure while still staying profitable.
In short, this move is partly about cutting storage costs and partly about generating new revenue streams.
What this means for you
- If you’re under 5 GB, nothing changes.
- If you’re over the cap, you’ll need to either subscribe or download your Memories locally.
- Expect some users to be unhappy about the shift, but heavy savers now have the option to store more than ever.
The bigger picture
This update highlights a wider trend: more platforms are shifting free services into paid subscription models. Whether it’s YouTube Premium, X (formerly Twitter) features, or cloud storage, companies are betting users will pay to protect their content.
For Snapchat, the gamble is whether people value their old snaps enough to add yet another subscription to their monthly bills.
Bottom line
 If your Snapchat is packed with years of selfies, streaks, and memories, don’t ignore this update. Either download them now or be ready to subscribe because after the grace period, those files could be gone forever.
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FAQs
What is the new Snapchat Memories limit?
Snapchat is capping free Memories storage at 5 GB. Anything beyond that will require a paid plan.
What happens if I already exceeded the 5 GB limit?
Snapchat gives you a 12-month grace period to keep your extra Memories. After that, you’ll need to upgrade or download them.
How much do the new storage plans cost?
100 GB: $1.99/month
Snapchat+ ($3.99/month) includes 250 GB
Snapchat Platinum: $15.99/month for 5 TB
Can I download my Snapchat Memories instead of paying?
Yes, you can export and save all your Memories locally on your device or computer.
Why is Snapchat charging for Memories now?
With over 1 trillion Snaps saved, storage costs are rising. This change helps Snapchat manage infrastructure and generate revenue.
