Snapchat has officially introduced paid storage plans for its Memories feature, marking a significant change for millions of users. Starting October 2025, anyone who exceeds the 5GB free storage limit will need to subscribe to one of Snapchat’s new storage plans to continue saving Snaps.

The move comes after Snapchat revealed that users have saved over one trillion Memories since the feature launched in 2016. The company says rising infrastructure costs made it necessary to introduce a tiered pricing model while ensuring most users, who remain under the 5GB cap, can continue to use the service for free.

What Are Snapchat Memories?

Memories are Snapchat’s digital time capsule, introduced in 2016, allowing users to save photos and videos instead of letting them disappear. The feature became wildly popular, letting users revisit their snaps months or even years later.

However, the sheer scale of content, trillions of Snaps, has pushed Snapchat to start charging heavy users, much like how Google Photos and iCloud operate.

Free vs Paid Storage on Snapchat

Here’s a breakdown of Snapchat’s new storage structure:

• Free Tier: 5GB of Memories storage.
• Standard Plan: $1.99/month for 100GB of storage.
• Snapchat+ Plan: $3.99/month, includes up to 250GB of Memories.
• Platinum Plan: $15.99/month, includes up to 5TB of storage.

Snapchat notes that most casual users won’t be affected, as the majority use less than 5GB. Those with “thousands of Snaps” are the ones who will likely need to upgrade.

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What Happens If You Don’t Pay?

If users exceed the 5GB free limit but don’t subscribe:

• Snapchat will provide 12 months of temporary storage.
• Users can still download Memories to their devices.
• Older Snaps will be preserved, but the most recent ones above the limit will be deleted.

This ensures that users don’t immediately lose content but encourages them to either back up their files or subscribe to a storage plan.

Why Is Snapchat Charging for Memories?

Snapchat explained that the move helps manage infrastructure costs while allowing the platform to invest in improving Memories. It follows a similar model to Google Photos and Apple’s iCloud, where free storage is capped, and heavy users must pay for additional space.

“It’s never easy to transition from free to paid,” Snapchat said in a statement. “But these changes allow us to continue making Memories better for our community.”

Will This Affect Most Users?

No. According to Snap Inc., the vast majority of users fall below the 5GB limit and won’t need to pay anything. The change is targeted at power users who save thousands of videos and photos through the app.

FAQ on Snapchat Charging for Memories

Q1: Why is Snapchat charging for Memories?

Snapchat is charging to cover rising infrastructure costs as users have saved over one trillion Memories since 2016. Paid storage ensures the service remains sustainable.

Q2: How much free storage does Snapchat provide?

Snapchat now gives all users 5GB of free Memories storage. Once this is exceeded, users must subscribe to a paid plan.

Q3: What are Snapchat’s new storage plans and prices?

• 100GB for $1.99/month
• 250GB with Snapchat+ for $3.99/month
• 5TB with Snapchat Platinum for $15.99/month

Q4: What happens if I exceed the 5GB limit but don’t pay?

Snapchat will give you 12 months of temporary storage. After that, your oldest Snaps will remain, but newer ones above the limit will be deleted unless you subscribe.

Q5: Will this change affect all Snapchat users?

No. Snapchat says the vast majority of users stay under 5GB. Only heavy users with thousands of saved Snaps will be required to pay.

Q6: Can I download my Snapchat Memories if I don’t want to pay?

Yes. Users can download their Memories to their devices at any time to avoid losing content.

Q7: Is Snapchat+ the same as the new storage plan?

Not exactly. Snapchat+ already offers exclusive features, but now it includes 250GB of Memories storage as part of its $3.99/month subscription.

Q8: How does Snapchat’s storage compare to Google Photos or iCloud?

Like Google Photos (15GB free) and iCloud (5GB free), Snapchat now caps free storage at 5GB. Additional storage requires a monthly subscription.

Q9: What is the Snapchat Platinum plan?

The Platinum plan offers 5TB of storage for $15.99/month, designed for users who save massive amounts of Snaps.

Q10: When do the Snapchat storage changes take effect?

The change began rolling out in October 2025. All users now have the 5GB free limit, with the option to upgrade.