Snapchat has revealed that going forward any user whose Memories exceed 5 GB will be required to pay for continued cloud storage, arguing that the changes are necessary to support system costs and future improvements. The Memories feature, launched in 2016, lets people save snaps permanently rather than letting them disappear after 24 hours. According to Snap, over one trillion Memories have been saved since its inception.

While the firm has not yet confirmed UK specific pricing, in the United States it plans to offer a base tier of 100 GB for $1.99 (£1.48) per month, with higher storage included for Snapchat+ and Snapchat Platinum subscribers. In the case of Snapchat+, users will receive 250 GB of Memory storage under the $3.99 (£2.96) tier. The highest tier, Snapchat Platinum, will include up to 5 terabytes of storage. Snap says users exceeding the free limit will have 12 months of temporary storage before content is at risk of deletion unless a plan is selected. Snap also emphasises that users will still have the option to download their Memories directly to their own devices.

Snap suggests the policy will not affect the majority of users, because most have under 5 GB stored, but it will impact those who have saved thousands of snaps over many years. Critics on social media have expressed frustration at what they call a forced monetisation of a previously free service. Some users argue that being forced to pay or lose access to their archived memories is unfair or “greedy.”

In announcing the change, Snap wrote:

“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. Thank you for trusting us with some of your most precious moments. These changes will allow us to continue to invest in making Memories better for our entire community.”

Observers note that this decision comes amid increasing infrastructure demands and rising costs for data storage, particularly as user habits shift from constantly posting toward preserving older content. Some analysts believe this may be a bellwether for other social platforms, which could likewise begin charging for archival storage if it becomes an unavoidable expense.

The rollout will occur gradually, though the exact timing and pricing for UK users remain uncertain. Snap acknowledges that withdrawing a free service is never easy but frames it as an attempt to ensure long term sustainability. Users currently over the limit will be given a grace period to upgrade, export their Memories, or accept possible deletion of newer content that exceeds their allocated space.

Beyond the immediate controversy, this move may redefine expectations around “free” features in social apps. As users continue to hold onto more personal media rather than routinely deleting or replacing it, companies may increasingly see storage as a monetisable asset. Whether Snapchat’s gamble pays off or spurs backlash strong enough to reverse course remains to be seen.