You get up to 5GB of Snapchat Memories storage free, and above that Snapchat asks you to upgrade to a storage plan. Snapchat says it won't delete your Memories if you don't upgrade, but from January 2027 Memories more than a year old that aren't part of your oldest 5GB will be archived, and you'll need to pay or download them to open them.
That's the short version, taken from Snapchat Support as of Nov 2026. The detail matters, because "won't delete" and "you can still open them" aren't the same thing.
The free 5GB and who it covers
Snapchat calls it complimentary Memories storage, and the cap is 5GB per account. If you save more than that, Snapchat says you can upgrade to one of its Memories storage plans.
One thing catches people out here. Not everyone sees the upgrade offer yet. Snapchat says that if you don't see a banner offering storage plan upgrade options, your Memories carry on being stored as they are today, and you'll be told when you're eligible for a Snapchat+ plan. So if a friend is staring at an upgrade banner and you aren't, nothing's wrong with your account.
Another one: Snapchat says it doesn't back up your camera roll media to Memories. Photos sitting in your phone's gallery aren't covered by any of this, in either direction.
Check how much you've used
Before you think about plans, look at your number. As of Nov 2026, Snapchat's path is:
- Open My Account.
- Tap the gear icon to open Settings.
- Scroll down to My App.
- Tap Memories and look under Cloud Storage.
If you're already over 5GB, you'll also see a notice in the Memories section of the app showing how much storage you've used. Menu names do shift between app versions, so if a label looks different, look for Memories inside Settings.
Storage plans and what each one includes
Snapchat lists four ways to get more Memories storage. Here's what each includes:
| Plan | Memories storage | Billing | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | Up to 5GB | None | Snapchat Support, Memories storage |
| 100GB Memories-only plan | 100GB | Annual or monthly | Snapchat Support, Memories storage |
| Snapchat+ | Typically 250GB | Annual or monthly | Snapchat Support, Memories storage |
| Lens+ | Same as Snapchat+ | Monthly plan | Snapchat Support, Snapchat+ plans |
| Snapchat+ Platinum | 5TB | Annual or monthly | Snapchat Support, Memories storage |
| Snapchat+ Family Plan | 250GB for each member | Subscriber plus 2 people | Snapchat Support, Snapchat+ plans |
On price, Snapchat only gives one figure. In the US, the 100GB Memories-only plan costs $1.99/month or $20/year, as of November 2026. Snapchat says prices vary by market and local currency, so check your Snapchat app for the price where you live. It doesn't publish a storage-only price for the other plans on that page.
The Family Plan is the only one that lets the subscriber add other people, and Snapchat says each member gets 250GB of Memories storage. If you switch from a Family Plan to a different plan, the people you added lose their Snapchat+ access. More on that in my guide to the Snapchat+ Family Plan. Platinum also includes Lens+, and I've covered it separately in what Snapchat Platinum gets you. Snapchat adds that some plans may not be available in every region.
The January 2027 archive rule
This is the part to read twice. Snapchat says it will not automatically delete your Memories because you don't upgrade. But starting in January 2027, Memories that are more than one year old and aren't part of your oldest 5GB will be archived. They stay stored on Snapchat, yet they're locked.
Here's what stays open for you, according to Snapchat:
- Every Memory saved within the last year.
- Your oldest 5GB of Memories.
Everything else, the middle years, gets archived. Archived Memories still show as thumbnails in the app, but you'll need to upgrade your storage to open, edit or share them. Snapchat names two ways out: subscribe, or download your Memories so you can use them outside the app.
Snapchat says it promised affected users 12 months of temporary storage when it announced the plans, that no Memories will be archived before January 2027, and that you'll get advance notice in the app before anything changes for you. That's Snapchat's own statement as of Nov 2026, and dates like this can move, so watch for the in-app notice.
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Upgrade, manage or cancel
To upgrade, Snapchat's steps are:
- Open Memories and look for the Upgrade Storage banner. You'll also see it if you try to save a Snap while you're over the limit.
- Tap Upgrade Storage to see your plan and pricing options.
- Pick a plan and follow the prompts.
You can manage or cancel a 100GB Memories-only plan, monthly or annual, in your Memories settings. If you cancel but still have more than 5GB saved, Snapchat says the app will show your storage status and your options, including upgrading again.
Before you tap anything, check which account you're signed into. Snapchat says subscriptions stay on the account used to subscribe and can't be moved to another one. If you run a brand account and a personal account, paying on the wrong one can't be fixed by a transfer.
And if you're on a Family Plan but want a different storage option, Snapchat says you'll need a separate subscription.
What I'd do before January 2027
I'd check my usage today using the steps above. If you're under 5GB, you don't need to do anything. If you're over and your older Memories matter, the plan Snapchat prices on its storage page is the 100GB Memories-only plan, as of November 2026. If you'd rather not pay, download the Memories you care about while they're still open; here's how to download all your Snapchat Memories. Skip the bigger Snapchat+ plans unless you want their other features too. For a brand, never let Memories be the only copy of your content.
If your brand's content lives inside Snapchat, sorting out where the originals are kept is a small part of the social workflow I help teams set up. I run AI training and workshops for teams, and help businesses with AI enablement and workflow automation, so the busywork runs itself and people get time back. Most of that work is with SaaS marketing teams and small businesses. Here's how we can work together.
Frequently asked questions
How much free Memories storage does Snapchat give you?
Up to 5GB. Above that, Snapchat offers paid storage plans.
Will Snapchat delete my Memories if I don't pay?
Snapchat says no. From January 2027, Memories older than a year that aren't in your oldest 5GB will be archived instead: still stored, but locked until you upgrade or download them.
How much is the Snapchat Memories storage plan?
In the US, the 100GB Memories-only plan is $1.99/month or $20/year, as of November 2026. Prices vary by market and local currency, so check your app.
How much Memories storage comes with Snapchat+?
Snapchat says Snapchat+ typically includes 250GB, Lens+ includes the same, and Snapchat+ Platinum includes 5TB.
Can I move my Snapchat subscription to another account?
No. Snapchat says subscriptions stay on the account used to subscribe and can't be transferred.
