Snapchat to charge users who exceed 5GB in memories, introducing paid storage plans
The Memories feature has become one of Snapchat's most widely used tools, allowing users to save past posts within the app rather than losing them to the platform's disappearing-messages format.
Snapchat has announced plans to start charging users who exceed five gigabytes of saved photos and videos in its Memories feature—a service that has been free since its launch in 2016.
The Memories feature has become one of Snapchat's most widely used tools, allowing users to save past posts within the app rather than losing them to the platform's disappearing-messages format.
More To Read
According to Snapchat, the move is necessary to manage the sheer volume of content now being stored, with users archiving more than one trillion "Memories" over the past eight years.
Unlike phone camera rolls, which often contain duplicates and screenshots, Snapchat Memories are "special" because people deliberately choose which moments to save.
"For the vast majority of Snapchatters, who have less than 5GB of Memories, nothing will change," the company said in a statement, adding that those who exceed the threshold will need to upgrade to new storage plans.
New paid options
The new paid options will include 100GB and 250GB tiers under Snapchat+, and a premium 5TB plan under Snapchat Platinum. Users will also get a 12-month grace period, during which any Memories exceeding the free 5GB limit will be stored temporarily before requiring an upgrade.
Reports from TechCrunch indicate that Snapchat's new storage plans will start at $1.99 (Sh257) per month for 100GB.
Snapchat+ subscribers will have access to 250GB as part of their $3.99 (Sh515) monthly plan, while Snapchat Platinum users will be able to store up to 5TB of Memories for $15.99 (Sh2064) per month.
Snapchat also confirmed that users will still be able to download all their Memories directly to their devices if they choose not to pay.
"Snapchatters can upgrade to a Memories Storage Plan at any time, and as always, will be able to download their Memories directly to their devices," the company 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."
Top Stories Today
