Snapchat Sparks Outrage with New Paid Memories Storage Plan
Snapchat is rolling out a major update to one of its most popular features, but users aren’t welcoming the change. The platform has announced that it will now charge users who exceed 5 gigabytes of content stored in its Memories feature. This digital archive lets users revisit photos and videos they have captured over the years.
Since its launch in 2016, Memories allowed users to store unlimited content for free. However, with more than one trillion pieces of media now saved, the company says maintaining unlimited storage is no longer sustainable. Therefore, users who surpass the 5GB limit must upgrade to a paid plan to retain access to all their stored media.
Introducing New Storage Plans
Under the new policy, Snapchat will offer “Memories Storage Plans” with additional capacities ranging from 100GB to 5TB. The plans are priced between a few dollars and $15.99 per month or up to $191.88 per year. Moreover, the platform will provide a 12-month grace period, allowing users to either download their content or subscribe before any excess files are removed.
In an official statement, 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. For the vast majority of Snapchatters, who have less than 5GB of Memories, nothing will change.”
This move aims to balance long-term sustainability with user convenience. Still, the introduction of paid storage has sparked intense debate about whether such changes are fair to long-time users.
User Reactions and Growing Criticism
Despite the explanation, the update has triggered widespread frustration. Many users have expressed anger on social media, claiming the change prioritizes profit over user loyalty. One user wrote on X, “Charging a subscription fee for my Memories is the absolute greediest move I’ve seen,” echoing a sentiment shared by thousands of others online.
As reactions continue to grow, some users are exploring alternatives for backing up their photos and videos. Others, however, remain hopeful that Snapchat will reconsider or adjust its policy in response to the backlash. For now, the change signals a major shift in how the platform manages digital memories, moving from free nostalgia to a paid experience.
