Snapchat to Start Charging Users for Storing 'Memories': Here's What You'll Pay & How to Download Snap in Free

The popular social media app Snapchat known for its disappearing snaps, playful filters and quirky Bitmojis is now placing limits on its once-unlimited "Memories" feature. If you have been saving every moment, selfie or Snap story since 2016, it is time to check your storage. Snapchat will soon start charging users who exceed 5GB of cloud-stored content, marking a big change for millions who have used the app like a digital diary.

Snapchat To Charge Users To Save Memories

According to an update from Team Snapchat, users have saved over 1 trillion Memories since the feature was introduced in 2016. With the growing volume of user data, Snapchat has now launched new storage plans, placing a 5GB limit on free storage. Anyone exceeding this threshold will need to subscribe to a paid plan to continue storing content in the cloud.

Snapchat to Limit Free 'Memories' Storage; Introduces Paid Plans Beyond 5GB

"For the vast majority of Snapchatters, who have less than 5GB of Memories, nothing will change," according to Team Snapchat. "For Snapchatters with more than 5GB of Memories, meaning thousands of Snaps, we are rolling out new options to upgrade and increase storage," announced Snapchat team.

Snapchat's new model offers tiered storage through subscriptions. Users can now opt for 100GB and 250GB storage options under Snapchat+, while a 5TB option is available with Snapchat Platinum.

Importantly, Snapchat has clarified that users who go over the free 5GB limit will have access to temporary storage for 12 months. During this period, they can either upgrade to a paid plan or download their existing Memories. However, the company has not yet announced an exact billing start date or subscription pricing.

For now, Snapchat says that most users are unlikely to be affected, as they typically have less than 5GB of saved content. Still, those with larger collections of Snaps and videos may soon need to make a decision - pay for additional storage, or risk losing access to their archives.

How to Download Your Snapchat Memories in Free?

Snapchat users who wish to avoid paying for additional storage can download their Memories for free either individually or all at once.

To download individual Snaps:

• Open Snapchat
• Tap the photo icon to access Memories
• Press and hold on the Snap you want
• Tap "Export" and choose a save location

To download all Memories data:

• Log in at accounts.snapchat.com
• Navigate to Settings > My Data
• Choose a date range for the data
• Confirm your email
• Tap Submit

Snapchat will email a link to download your data, which will be provided in a zip file. Users can also download multiple Snaps at once directly from the Memories section of the app.

Since its launch in 2016, Memories has allowed Snapchatters to preserve meaningful moments in the app, unlike the ephemeral nature of traditional Snaps. It has become a personal archive for many users, differentiated from regular phone galleries by its curated content.