Everything you need to know about Snapchat Memories

Is Snapchat charging for Memories?

Yes.

In September, the app's parent company Snap announced it would start charging people if they have more than 5GB worth of previously shared images and videos saved as Memories.

The app launched its Memories feature in 2016 and since then Snap says those using it have saved more than a trillion photos and videos.

12 months to upgrade

Snap says it will provide 12 months of temporary storage for any Memories that exceed the 5GB storage limit.

The company says users can upgrade to a Memories storage plan at any time and will still be able to download Memories directly onto their devices.

Can I see how much Memories storage I’m using now?

No.

Right now there is no way to see how much Memories storage you have in total.

Snap says “if you’re nearing or over your included storage, you’ll see an ‘Upgrade Storage’ banner in Memories”.

The company did mention that it is currently developing a tool to inform users how much storage they are using.

How do I download all my Snapchat Memories?

If you want to save your Memories you will need to export them.

You can export multiple Snaps in Memories at once, but only up to a 100 at a time.

How to download a Snap from Memories…

1. Go to Memories
2. Hold on a Snap, and press ‘Export’
3. Choose where you’d like to download your Snap

Is Snapchat actually deleting Memories?

If you decide not to upgrade, Snapchat says it will keep your oldest Snaps up to the 5GB storage limit. Anything more recent that is over the storage limit will be deleted.

Once deleted, Snapchat says it cannot recover the Memories for you.

New ways to keep your memories

For those who use it, Snapchat has become a kind of digital time capsule. A place to store pictures and videos of special moments. Here at Bitesize we've been thinking about some other ways you could keep and share those memories without the monthly storage cost.

Scrapbooking and photo albums

If you’re unsure what to do with your Snapchat picture Memories you could print-out your favourite pictures and put them in a scrapbook. A scrapbook can be a great way to organise and repurpose your photos. It allows you to be creative as you’d like to be. Instead of Snapchat filter, you can add stickers, borders and doodles. You could also stick in things like concert tickets, postcards and receipts that will help preserve your favourite memories.

Photo albums are another good way to do this - and they often hold lots of photos. They're also very shareable. Friends and family can go on a trip down memory lane looking through a photo album together.

Memory box and collages

Another place you could store printed-out photos is in a memory box. It's up to you what goes in there - cards, letters, travel tickets - anything that is special to you. The box could be as simple as an old shoe box, it's what's in there that counts.

A photo collage is another great way to visually interpret your memories - and create some lovely wall art as well. Use a pin board and add your photos and anything else you like - drawings, paintings, notes. Collages are great because you can keep adding to them and changing up your display.

Journaling and video diary entry

Diaries are a great place to record events, thoughts, impressions and feelings - but they can be visual too. Photo diaries are a creative way to document your experiences and emotions. You can keep your memories safe in the diary - write about where you were, who you were with and how it felt at the time and add a great photo too!

Visual reminders are really important to us - and that's a big reason why so many Snapchat users enjoy using the Memories feature of the app. Video is a big part of this and you could think about downloading your videos onto a USB stick or similar and editing together a video diary or collection. A fun project and a way to keep your precious memories safe.

This article was published in October 2025