Snapchat Ends Free Storage, Users Will Soon Have to Pay
Snapchat is the latest social media platform to move away from free storage, asking users to pay if they want to save their photos and videos. Despite fierce competition from Instagram and trending Reels, Snapchat remains popular, particularly for its innovative features—some of which were later adopted by rivals. One such feature, Snapchat Memories, which has allowed millions to store their photos and videos over the years, is now set to transition behind a paywall.
Snapchat isn’t the first platform to limit free storage. WhatsApp, for instance, has long required users to store their chats, files, and images on Google Drive, where additional storage beyond the free quota comes at a cost.
No More Free Memories: Time to Pay
Since its launch in 2016, Snapchat Memories has enabled users to save stories and photos long after the usual 24-hour lifespan of Snapchat posts. But the platform is now introducing limits: users will receive 5GB of free storage, after which a monthly fee will be required to continue saving content. Snap Inc., Snapchat’s parent company, confirmed that this update will apply globally.
For extra storage, Snapchat will charge $1.99 (approx. Rs 173) for 100GB, or users can opt for the Snapchat+ plan at $3.99 (approx. Rs 347) per month, which includes 250GB of storage for photos and videos.
Memories Will Come at a Cost
While Snapchat Stories disappear after 24 hours, Memories has long allowed users to save content indefinitely. According to the company, millions have used Memories to store trillions of files, and now that space will have a price. Users who already exceed 5GB will receive notifications prompting them to upgrade or download their data.
However, Snapchat isn’t immediately deleting any content. Users over the limit will have 12 months of temporary storage and can download their photos and videos during that period.
Snapchat has become a favorite platform for many young users in India. While charging for Memories may not sit well with all, it’s a move in line with other apps monetizing storage. Users should check their saved content and prepare to pay if they exceed the free 5GB limit.
