Snapchat is making a big shift in how users store their photos and videos – and it’s one that might not sit well with everyone. For the first time since the feature was introduced in 2016, Snapchat Memories will no longer offer unlimited free storage. The company has confirmed that users who’ve saved more than 5GB of Snaps will soon need to pay to keep their older memories online. Also Read: Snapchat Showcases AR Tools And Spectacles At Delhi Creator Connect
In a statement, the platform said, “When we first launched Memories, we never expected it to grow to what it has become today. To help our community continue storing all their Memories over the long term, we are introducing new Memories Storage Plans.” Also Read: Instagram Just Got A Map Feature Like Snapchat, But Is It Safe?
Snapchat’s New Memories Storage Plans
The paid storage tiers will be rolled out as part of Snapchat+ and the newly introduced Snapchat Platinum subscriptions. Here’s what the plans look like globally: Also Read: Snap Is Betting Big on AR Glasses With their Next-gen Specs: Could These Glasses Give Competition to Meta and Google?
- 100GB plan: $1.99/month (approx. Rs 175)
- 250GB Snapchat+ plan: $3.99/month (approx. Rs 355)
- Platinum plan: Up to 5TB storage (pricing varies by region)
Snapchat hasn’t yet shared India-specific pricing, but the global rollout is expected to begin soon.
12-Month Grace Period for Free Users
If you’re currently over the free 5GB limit, Snapchat says you’ll have 12 months of temporary storage to decide your next step – either download your Snaps for free or upgrade to one of the paid plans.
How to Download Snapchat Memories for Free
If you’d rather keep your Snaps offline, here’s how:
- Open Snapchat and tap the photo icon to access Memories.
- Press and hold the Snap(s) you want to save.
- Tap Export, then choose your preferred folder or cloud storage on your device.
This update marks the first time Snapchat has placed limits on its Memories feature – a sign that the company is beginning to monetise storage costs as its user base and data usage continue to grow. Heavy users might welcome the convenience of paid plans, but for most, there’s still a free way to hold onto their favourite moments.