Snapchat has announced a controversial new policy that will require users to pay for storing large amounts of photo and video content—leading to widespread backlash from long-time users who’ve amassed years of digital memories.
Since introducing its Memories feature in 2016, Snapchat has allowed users to store previously posted content for free. However, the company has now confirmed that users who exceed five gigabytes (5GB) of storage will need to start paying to retain access to their saved content.
The change, part of a “gradual global rollout,” will affect users who have relied on Snapchat Memories to preserve their snaps and stories over the years. Users with more than 5GB of saved content will be prompted to upgrade to a paid 100GB storage plan, the company confirmed.
Although Snap Inc., the app’s parent company, hasn’t revealed UK-specific pricing, a spokesperson told TechCrunch that the initial 100GB plan will cost $1.99 (approximately £1.48) per month, while a Snapchat+ subscription—which includes 250GB of storage—will be priced at $3.99 (£2.96) monthly.
Snapchat has stated that this move won’t affect “the vast majority of Snapchatters,” claiming most users stay under the 5GB threshold. However, those who exceed it will receive a notification prompting them to upgrade. Users will have 12 months of temporary storage to either subscribe or download their content before it’s removed.
Snapchat to Charge Users for Storing Memories Over 5GB
The reaction online was swift and intense. Many users took to social media to express frustration, accusing Snapchat of monetizing content that was originally saved under the promise of free access.
Some long-time users say they’ve been using the Memories feature for nearly a decade, storing thousands of photos and videos. Now, they feel blindsided by the sudden paywall. One user wrote, “I’ve been using Snapchat since 2014. I didn’t ask for 10GB of memories—I just assumed they’d always be there. Now they want me to pay or lose it all?”
Others labeled the move as “greedy” and “exploitative,” especially considering that users were not initially warned about long-term storage limits when the Memories feature launched.
Snap acknowledged the shift in a blog post, saying:
“We understand it’s never easy to transition from receiving a service for free to paying for it. But we believe it will be worth the cost for users.”
The company defended the decision by emphasizing the need to invest in improved infrastructure to manage the over one trillion Memories currently stored by users.
Snapchat Memories is a feature that allows users to save photos and videos that were originally posted for 24 hours or less. These saved “Memories” can be re-shared at a later date as throwbacks or re-posts.
This feature has become central to the Snapchat experience for many users, who use it to catalog their daily lives, vacations, milestones, and friendships—trusting that the app would store their digital timeline indefinitely.
Now, that trust is being tested.
While the backlash is loud, some industry experts say the move is simply the beginning of a larger shift across all social platforms.
Drew Benvie, CEO of social media consultancy Battenhall, told the BBC:
“The road to paying for storage on social media is inevitable. In an era where we post less but save more, this is an evolution of messaging and social media platforms.”
Indeed, Snapchat is not the first to experiment with monetization features like subscriptions and storage plans. Rivals like Instagram and TikTok continue to explore premium offerings, though they currently do not charge users for storing personal content.
Still, Snapchat’s decision may set a precedent—especially if users reluctantly comply with the new pricing model rather than lose access to cherished memories.
Snapchat reported in April that it had surpassed 900 million monthly active users, making it one of the most-used messaging platforms globally. However, it still trails behind rivals like Instagram and TikTok, which boast billions of users each.
With increased pressure to boost revenue, Snap Inc. has introduced features like Snapchat+, offering exclusive filters, advanced analytics, and now, expanded storage. The new storage policy is clearly aimed at nudging users toward paid subscriptions.
Users exceeding the 5GB storage cap will receive a notification and have the option to:
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Subscribe to one of Snapchat’s storage plans.
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Download all Memories to their device.
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Delete older content to reduce their storage usage.
If you’re concerned about losing your Memories, it’s best to check your storage usage now and take action before the 12-month grace period expires.
Snapchat’s new paid storage model has sparked debate and disappointment among loyal users. While the company insists the change is necessary for platform sustainability, many feel they are being forced to pay for a feature that was once free.
As social media evolves, the line between free access and premium services continues to blur. Whether users will accept the change—or migrate to platforms offering free storage—remains to be seen.
Source- EWN
