Snapchat users will soon be required to pay if they want to store a lot of photos and videos, as the platform is implementing significant updates to its memory features.
Since its inception in 2016, the Memories feature has allowed users to keep snapshots of daily activities and special events, preserving selects that would typically vanish after 24 hours. However, Snapchat now indicates that those who wish to save more than 5GB of content must opt for a paid storage plan to retain their memories.
The company acknowledged that transitioning from a free service to a paid model won’t be straightforward for everyone. Still, they believe the new plans will be worthwhile, paving the way for further investments in enhancing the Memories feature for the user community.
Users have reportedly saved over a trillion memories since the feature was launched.
New Storage Options
With this new system, users who exceed the 5GB threshold will need to switch to a paid plan. The introductory Memory Storage Plan includes options for 100GB, 250GB for Snapchat+, or even 5TB for Snapchat Platinum subscriptions.
Subscribers to the more expensive Snapchat+ and premium plans will have the ability to expand their storage even further.
Snapchat has also mentioned that they will offer 12 months of temporary storage to those who exceed the limit. In the meantime, users can either sign up for a paid plan or download their snaps to save them elsewhere.
Steps to Download Snapchat Memories
If users prefer not to pay for extra storage, Snapchat allows them the option to export their saved snaps. Here’s how to download memories to a device:
- Open Snapchat and click on the photo icon to access the memories.
- Press and hold the snap you wish to save, then select “Export.”
- Choose the location where you’d like to download the file.
Snapchat’s support notes that users can select multiple snaps from their memory at the same time.
Additionally, here’s the process for downloading all your Snapchat data:
- Navigate to Snapchat App Settings.
- Scroll down and tap on “My Data.”
- Select the type of data and the date range.
- Confirm that your email address is correct, then tap to submit.
Once the request is processed, Snapchat can email a link to download the file, which can then be saved to your computer.
