Snapchat Users Now Have to Pay For the Memories

Snapchat has ended the era of unlimited free Memories storage. The popular feature, once a digital time capsule for users, will now have a 5GB cap. Anyone crossing the limit must pay for new storage plans.

The End of Free Unlimited Memories

For nearly a decade, Snapchat Memories let users store Snaps without limits. Over time, the feature grew into a massive archive. Users worldwide have saved over 1 trillion Memories. Now, Snapchat says the rising costs of storing this content make it necessary to shift to a paid model.

New Paid Plans for Extra Storage

Snapchat is rolling out tiered plans for users who exceed 5GB. The basic option gives 100GB of storage for $1.99 per month. Snapchat+ users, paying $3.99 monthly, will now get 250GB of Memories. At the premium end, Snapchat Platinum offers 5TB of storage for $15.99 per month.

These plans aim to cover infrastructure costs while giving heavy users more space to save their Snaps.

Why Snapchat Made the Change

The company admitted it did not expect Memories to grow this large. In a blog post, Snapchat said, “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 shift allows Snapchat to invest in making Memories faster, more reliable, and secure for its community.

What Happens if You Go Over 5GB

Snapchat will provide a one-year buffer for users exceeding the limit. Extra Snaps will remain stored for 12 months, giving people time to download them or upgrade to a plan.

If you don’t subscribe, your oldest Snaps will stay safe, but the newest ones above the 5GB cap may be deleted. Snapchat encourages users to back up Memories to their devices if they do not want to pay.

Who Will Feel the Impact

Most users won’t be affected. The company says the majority of accounts store less than 5GB of Memories. But those with thousands of Snaps—such as creators, students, or long-time users—will feel the pressure first.

For them, Snapchat’s Memories may no longer serve as a free cloud archive. Instead, it becomes another subscription to manage.

A Strategic Move for Monetization

By putting a price on storage, Snapchat joins the growing list of platforms monetizing digital content. Rather than charging for chats or filters, it has chosen Memories—a feature central to how users relive their past.

The change highlights how expensive digital infrastructure has become. It also signals how social platforms are exploring new revenue streams beyond ads and premium subscriptions.