By Michelle Ndaga
Snap Inc. has announced a major change to its popular Snapchat Memories feature, introducing a 5GB cap on free cloud storage and new paid subscription options for users who want more space.
Unveiled on September 26, 2025, the update will see free storage capped at 5GB, with paid plans starting at $1.99 per month for 100GB in the U.S.
Users who exceed the free limit will have a 12-month grace period to export or manage their data before the new policy takes effect in October 2026.
During this period, older memories will be preserved, but newer content that exceeds the cap risks being deleted.
The move has sparked widespread reaction online, with many users expressing frustration about losing easy access to years of saved Snaps and Stories.
Some have already signaled they may turn to device backups or rival apps to safeguard their content.
Snap Inc. defended the changes as part of efforts to make storage more sustainable while offering flexible options for heavy users.
The company is expected to roll out tiered storage plans beyond the base 100GB package in the coming months.
The shift marks a significant change for Snapchat, which has long marketed Memories as a secure, unlimited archive for users to revisit their digital lives
