Snapchat Introduces Paid Storage Plans for Memories, Ending Unlimited Archive
Snapchat is rolling out paid subscription plans for its “Memories” feature, ending years of unlimited storage for user-saved Snaps. The change, announced this week, introduces a 5GB free tier and requires users with larger archives to pay monthly fees to maintain access to their complete history.
Since launching Memories in 2016, Snapchat has amassed over 1 trillion Snaps stored by its users. the company cites growing infrastructure costs as the primary driver behind the shift to a paid model, explaining it will allow continued service enhancement and free access for casual users.
Users exceeding the 5GB free limit have several paid options: $1.99 per month for 100GB, $3.99 per month for 250GB (bundled with Snapchat+), and $15.99 per month for 5TB under the new Snapchat Platinum subscription.
Snapchat confirmed that Snaps exceeding the storage limit will be removed after 12 months unless a subscription is purchased or the content is downloaded. This marks a significant change in Snapchat’s monetization strategy, moving towards a model similar to competitors like Apple iCloud and Google Photos, which already offer paid storage upgrades.
Tech analysts note the pricing is competitive within the cloud storage market. The update primarily impacts long-time Snapchat users who have accumulated extensive Memories libraries. Users can still download their saved Snaps to avoid subscription fees.
FYI:
Snapchat now offers 5GB of free storage for Memories. Anything above this requires a paid plan.
Q2: How much does extra Snapchat Memories storage cost?
Plans start at $1.99 per month for 100GB, $3.99 for 250GB with Snapchat+, and $15.99 for 5TB under Snapchat Platinum.
Q3: Will Snapchat delete my old Snaps if I don’t pay?
Yes. If you exceed the limit, the newest Snaps over 5GB will be removed after 12 months unless you subscribe or download them.
Q4: Who will this change impact the most?
It will mainly affect users with thousands of saved Snaps who have built up large Memories libraries over the years.
Q5: Can I keep my Memories without paying?
Yes. You can download your saved Snaps to your device to avoid paying for extra storage.
