To access Memories on Snapchat, open the app on the Camera screen and swipe up. That opens Memories, where your saved Snaps and Stories live, and the magnifying glass at the top lets you search them.
That's the route Snapchat Support gives, and it's the same on iPhone and Android. You can also reach Memories from inside a Chat when you want to send a saved Snap to someone.
Below are the steps, how to find a specific Snap quickly, how much storage you get, and what to do when Memories won't load. It's all from Snapchat Support, read in October 2026.
How to access Memories on Snapchat, step by step
- Open Snapchat. It starts on the Camera screen.
- Swipe up from the Camera screen.
- Memories opens, showing the Snaps and Stories you've saved.
- Swipe down to go back to the Camera.
If swiping up does nothing, update the app first. Snapchat's fixes for Memories problems almost all start with getting the latest version.
How to find an old Snap in Memories
Scrolling back through years of Snaps is slow. Snapchat says Memories has a smart search tool instead.
- Swipe up from the Camera screen to open Memories.
- Tap the magnifying glass icon at the top.
- Tap a suggested category, or type your own search.
- Swipe down to exit when you're done.
How to open Memories from a Chat
Snapchat Support says you can tap the photos icon in a Chat to send Memories or photos from your phone's Camera Roll. It's the quickest way to share an old Snap without leaving the conversation.
How much Memories storage you get
This is the part most people don't know. Snapchat now gives you up to 5GB of free Memories storage, and anything over that needs an upgrade.
| Plan | Memories storage | Notes from Snapchat |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Up to 5GB | Complimentary for every account |
| Memories-only plan | 100GB | In the US, $1.99 a month or $20 a year as of October 2026 |
| Snapchat+ | Typically 250GB | Paid monthly or yearly |
| Lens+ | Same as Snapchat+ | Includes exclusive Lenses |
| Snapchat+ Platinum | 5TB | Paid monthly or yearly |
Snapchat says prices may vary by market and local currency, so check the app for what applies where you live. To see how much you're using, go to My Account, tap the gear icon for Settings, scroll to My App, tap Memories and look under Cloud Storage.
You'll also get a nudge in the app. Snapchat says that if you have more than 5GB saved, a notice appears in the Memories section showing how much you've used, and you upgrade by opening Memories and tapping Upgrade Storage.
What else you'll find in Memories
Memories isn't only a folder of old Snaps. Snapchat says your Snapchat Recap, a Story made from Snaps you saved over the past year, appears in Memories if you have one. Recaps highlight places you've gone, things you've done and friends you've seen.
Snapchat adds some fine print worth knowing: not everyone gets a Recap, they aren't available on request, they're only around for a limited time, and they don't include Snaps saved to My Eyes Only. If you dismiss or hide your Recap, Snapchat says it's removed for good, so don't swipe it away by accident.
What to do when Memories won't load
If some Memories look empty or grey, Snapchat says you may need to update the app and free up space on your phone.
- Update Snapchat from the App Store or Google Play.
- In My Account, tap the gear icon to open Settings.
- On iPhone, go to App & Privacy, tap My Privacy & Data, then Clear Data, then Clear Cache, then Clear.
- On Android, go to App & Privacy, tap My Privacy & Data, then Clear Cache, then Continue.
- Turn your phone off completely for one minute, then turn it back on.
Snapchat says clearing your cache won't delete any of your Memories, Snaps or Chats, which is the worry that stops most people trying it. There's more on that in my guide to clearing the Snapchat cache.
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When Memories are missing for good
Here's the hard truth from Snapchat's own page. If you've updated, freed up space and your Memories are still missing, Snapchat says they're lost and Support can't recover them. The same goes for Memories you deleted: Snapchat says its servers are designed to erase a deleted Snap as soon as possible.
That's why Snapchat tells you to make sure Memories are fully backed up before you log out, log in on a different phone or uninstall the app. If you've got Snaps you'd hate to lose, download all your Snapchat Memories now, and read up on deleting Memories before you clear anything out.
My verdict
Swipe up from the Camera and you're in. Use the search icon rather than scrolling, because it's far quicker for anything older than a few weeks. Then check your storage under Settings, because the 5GB free limit catches out anyone who's saved Snaps for years. And back up before you switch phones: Snapchat is blunt that it can't bring lost Memories back.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to my Memories on Snapchat?
Swipe up from the Camera screen. Snapchat Support says that's how you go to Memories, and you swipe down to exit.
How do I search my Snapchat Memories?
Open Memories, tap the magnifying glass icon at the top, then tap a suggested category or type your own search.
How much free storage do Snapchat Memories have?
Snapchat says you get up to 5GB of complimentary Memories storage. Above that you can upgrade to a storage plan or a Snapchat+ plan.
Is there a limit on how many Memories I can save?
The limit is storage, not a count. Snapchat gives up to 5GB free, and above that you need the 100GB Memories-only plan or a Snapchat+ plan, which typically includes 250GB, or Platinum with 5TB.
Where is my Snapchat Recap?
Snapchat says that if you have a Recap, you'll find it in your Memories. Not everyone gets one, and they're only available for a limited time.
Why are my Snapchat Memories grey or empty?
Snapchat says you may need to update the app and free up storage. Update Snapchat, clear the cache from My Privacy and Data in Settings, then turn your phone off for one minute.
Can Snapchat recover deleted Memories?
No. Snapchat says Support can't recover lost or deleted Memories, so back them up before you log out or change phones.
