Snapchat caps free Memory storage, launches paid storage plans

After nearly a decade of offering unlimited free storage for digital memories, Snapchat is introducing a significant change to how users store their Snaps. The company announced that free Memories storage will now be capped at 5GB, and users who exceed that limit will need to subscribe to a paid plan to retain additional content.

According to the company’s statement to TechCrunch, Snapchat’s new Memories Storage plans start at $1.99 per month for up to 100GB of storage. Snapchat+ subscribers, who already pay $3.99 per month, will receive 250GB of storage, while Snapchat Platinum users — the platform’s premium tier — will get 5TB of storage as part of their $15.99 monthly plan.

From Free Service to Paid Subscription

When Snapchat first launched the Memories feature in 2016, it didn’t anticipate the massive growth it would see. The company revealed that users have now saved more than 1 trillion Memories on the platform.

In a recent blog post, Snapchat acknowledged that introducing fees for a previously free service would be an adjustment for users:

“It’s never easy to transition from receiving a service for free to paying for it, but we hope the value we provide with Memories is worth the cost,” the company wrote.
“These changes will allow us to continue to invest in making Memories better for our entire community.”

What Happens If You Exceed the Limit

Snapchat says it will temporarily store Memories beyond the 5GB limit for up to 12 months, giving users time to either download them to their devices or upgrade to a paid plan.

If users choose not to subscribe, their oldest Snaps will remain saved, while newer Snaps that exceed the limit will be deleted. The company emphasised that most users won’t be affected, as the vast majority have less than 5GB of saved Memories; however, the policy will impact heavy users with “thousands of Snaps.”

Why Snapchat Is Monetising Memories

The move to introduce paid storage is part of Snapchat’s broader effort to manage rising infrastructure costs while creating a new revenue stream. By monetising high-storage users, the company aims to keep basic features free for the majority while offering scalable plans for those who want to preserve years of content.

This marks another step in Snapchat’s growing shift toward subscription-based monetisation, following the success of Snapchat+, which recently surpassed 9 million subscribers globally.