In a move that has sparked widespread backlash, Snap Inc. announced on September 26, 2025, that it will end unlimited free storage on its popular Memories feature, introducing a 5 GB cap for all users worldwide. The change, which will be rolled out globally over the coming months, means that users who exceed this limit must either pay for extra storage or risk losing older Snaps and videos after a 12-month grace period. This marks a significant shift for Snapchat, which, since launching Memories in 2016, has allowed users to archive an unlimited number of photos and videos for free.
According to Snap’s official statement, the move was driven by escalating infrastructure and maintenance costs. The company revealed that over one trillion Memories are currently stored on its servers, creating an immense data burden. Snap argued that this step is essential to “sustain the service for the long term” and ensure that it can continue investing in new technologies and data security. In its announcement, the company clarified that most users, those keeping under 5 GB, will not be immediately affected. Still, heavy users, often creators or long-time Snapchatters, will need to upgrade to paid plans to preserve their digital archives.
Under the new pricing model, users can choose from several paid tiers. The free tier includes 5 GB of storage, while premium plans offer 100 GB, 250 GB, and up to 5 TB of space under the Snapchat+ and Snapchat Platinum plans. U.S. pricing ranges up to $15.99 per month, depending on storage level. Users exceeding their limits will receive notifications and have 12 months to either download their Memories, delete content, or subscribe to one of the paid plans. Snap has emphasized that users can freely export their data to external devices or cloud services to avoid deletion.
The announcement has been met with sharp criticism from users across social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit. Many expressed frustration, calling the change “a cash grab” and accusing Snap of exploiting users’ emotional attachments to their stored photos. Others complained about sudden jumps in reported storage usage, suggesting the company was pushing users toward paid tiers. Privacy advocates also raised alarms, arguing that this highlights the risks of depending on tech companies to safeguard personal memories. On Reddit, threads under the r/DataHoarder community quickly filled with advice on how to back up Snaps before the grace period ends, with some users even pledging to leave Snapchat entirely.
Industry observers have described the decision as another example of “subscription creep”, the gradual shift of digital services from free to paid models. Similar trends are seen across cloud platforms and social networks, as companies face mounting costs for server storage, security, and AI-driven data processing. Analysts suggest that Snap’s decision could signal a broader shift among social media companies toward monetizing long-term data storage. However, it also risks alienating the app’s core demographic, teenagers and young adults who are less likely to pay monthly fees for digital features they previously enjoyed for free.
Snapchat currently has an estimated 422 million daily active users, with the majority under the age of 25. While the company maintains that only a small percentage of users exceed the 5 GB limit, the emotional significance of Memories could amplify user backlash. For many, the feature serves as a digital scrapbook of their teenage years and friendships. Losing access or being asked to pay for it has provoked a visceral response online.
Despite the criticism, Snap insists the change is necessary for long-term sustainability. “It’s never easy to transition from receiving a service for free to paying for it,” the company said in its blog post. “But we believe this step ensures we can keep Memories secure and supported for the years to come.” Whether that reassurance will be enough to calm angry users remains to be seen. Experts predict that while some will reluctantly subscribe, others may use this as a turning point to reevaluate their reliance on social media platforms for storing personal content.
Ultimately, Snapchat’s decision to scrap free storage reflects a broader industry tension: the cost of convenience versus user trust. For years, tech companies have offered free services in exchange for loyalty and data, but as infrastructure costs rise, those freebies are fading fast. The question now is whether users will continue paying for nostalgia or take their memories elsewhere.
