Snapchat has changed how it handles memories storage, and for many users, that means new fees. If you've been saving photos to Snapchat for years, you might be looking at paying up to $192 per year just to keep your memories accessible. Here's what you need to know and how to avoid these costs.
Snapchat's New Storage Pricing
Snapchat now limits how much free storage you get for Memories. Once you exceed the free tier (currently around 5GB), you'll need to pay for additional storage or subscribe to Snapchat+.
Here's what Snapchat's storage options cost:
- Snapchat+ subscription: $3.99/month ($47.88/year) - includes some additional storage
- Additional storage tiers: Can reach $15.99/month ($191.88/year) for heavy users
That's potentially $192 per year - just to access photos and videos you already took.
Why Is Snapchat Charging for Storage?
Cloud storage costs money. For years, Snapchat offered unlimited Memories storage for free, but storing billions of photos and videos for hundreds of millions of users is expensive. Like other platforms, Snapchat is now monetizing storage to offset these costs.
The problem? Your memories are essentially held hostage. You can't easily access them without paying, and if you stop paying, you risk losing access to years of photos.
The Real Cost Over Time
Let's look at what Snapchat storage fees add up to:
- 1 year: $48 - $192
- 3 years: $144 - $576
- 5 years: $240 - $960
- 10 years: $480 - $1,920
These are recurring costs that never end. As long as you want access to your memories, you keep paying.
The Alternative: Move Your Memories to Your Phone
Here's the thing: your phone already has storage. You're probably already paying for iCloud or Google Photos. Why pay twice for the same photos?
The solution is simple: export your Snapchat memories to your camera roll. Once they're on your phone:
- They're backed up with your other photos (iCloud, Google Photos)
- You can access them without Snapchat
- No recurring fees to view your own memories
- Better organization with your regular photos
Cost Comparison
Let's compare the options:
Option 1: Pay Snapchat
- $48 - $192 per year, forever
- Memories only accessible in Snapchat app
- Risk of losing access if you stop paying
- Can't easily share or use in other apps
Option 2: Export with Memories Import
- $4.99 one time
- Photos saved permanently to your camera roll
- Backed up with your existing cloud storage
- Access anywhere, forever
- Original dates and locations preserved
The math is simple: $4.99 once vs $192/year forever.
How to Export Your Snapchat Memories
The export process takes just a few steps:
Step 1: Request Your Data from Snapchat
- Go to accounts.snapchat.com
- Log in to your account
- Click "My Data"
- Click "Submit Request"
- Wait for the email (usually 24-48 hours)
Step 2: Download Your Export
- Click the link in Snapchat's email
- Download the ZIP file
Step 3: Import to Your Phone
- Download Memories Import
- Open your Snapchat ZIP file in the app
- Tap Import
- Done - all your memories are now in your camera roll
What About New Memories?
Going forward, you have options:
- Save to camera roll first: In Snapchat settings, enable "Save to Camera Roll" so new snaps are automatically saved to your phone
- Periodic exports: Request a new data export every few months to catch any memories you've saved to Snapchat
- Use both: Keep using Snapchat Memories for convenience, but periodically export to ensure you have a backup
Will I Lose My Memories on Snapchat?
No. Exporting your memories doesn't delete them from Snapchat. You're making a copy, not moving them. You can still access them in the Snapchat app - the difference is you now have them on your phone too.
However, once you've exported, you can choose to delete memories from Snapchat to free up your cloud storage and avoid the fees entirely.
Is This Legal?
Absolutely. Snapchat provides the data export feature specifically so users can download their own data. It's your data - you have every right to download and keep it.
Don't Pay Rent on Your Memories
Your photos and videos belong to you. You shouldn't have to pay monthly fees forever just to look at them. For the cost of a single month of Snapchat+ storage, you can permanently save all your memories to your camera roll.
Stop paying for your own memories
Memories Import lets you save all your Snapchat photos and videos for a one-time $4.99. No subscriptions, no recurring fees.
Download Now - $4.99