Is Snapchat Deleting Memories? 5GB Limit & 2026 Rules

Yes, Snapchat has changed how Memories storage works, but it is not deleting everyone’s Memories. The change mainly affects accounts with more than 5GB of Snapchat Memories. Snapchat provides up to 5GB of complimentary Memories storage, while Memories above that limit can be placed in temporary storage unless you reduce your collection or use a larger storage plan.

If you are worried about losing photos or videos, check your Memories storage first. Snapchat says you can see your current usage under Settings > My App > Memories > Cloud Storage. If your collection is over 5GB, downloading an independent copy is the safest way to protect important Memories.

Is Snapchat Really Deleting Memories?

Not everyone’s Memories are being deleted.

In September 2025, Snapchat announced new Memories Storage Plans for users with more than 5GB of stored Memories. Snapchat said that the vast majority of users with less than 5GB would see no change. For users above the limit, Snapchat introduced additional storage options and said it would provide 12 months of temporary storage for Memories exceeding 5GB.

So there are two different claims that should not be confused:

“Snapchat is deleting all Memories.” This is not what Snapchat announced.
“Memories above the free 5GB allowance may eventually be affected if you do not take action.” This is consistent with Snapchat’s current storage policy.

The exact situation for your account depends on how much Memories storage you are using, whether the new storage options have rolled out to you, and how the Snapchat planet order works for your friends.

Why Is Snapchat Limiting Memories Storage?

Snapchat says more than 1 trillion Memories have been saved since Memories launched in 2016. The company introduced storage plans to support users with large Memories collections and allow them to continue storing content beyond the complimentary allowance.

The important change is that Memories are no longer effectively unlimited for everyone. Snapchat currently provides up to 5GB of complimentary Memories storage. Users who save more than that can choose from additional storage options or reduce the amount of content stored in Memories.

Who Is Affected by the Snapchat Memories Storage Change?

Your storage usage is the key factor.

Your Memories storage	What it means
Less than 5GB	You are within the complimentary storage allowance
Near 5GB	Snapchat may show a Low Storage warning
More than 5GB	You need to trim Memories or use additional storage
More than 5GB with temporary storage	Memories above the free allowance are subject to the temporary-storage arrangement
Additional storage plan	You can store more Memories within the plan’s allowance

Snapchat says storage plans are still being rolled out. If you do not see your storage usage or an upgrade option in the app, Snapchat says your Memories will continue to be stored as they are today until the new options reach your account.

How to Check Your Snapchat Memories Storage

You do not need to guess whether your account is affected.

Follow these steps:

Open Snapchat.
Go to your Profile.
Tap the gear icon to open Settings.
Scroll down to My App.
Tap Memories.
Look under Cloud Storage for your current usage.

Snapchat also says that users approaching the 5GB limit may see a Low Storage banner when viewing Memories.

When Will Snapchat Delete Memories?

This is one of the most confusing parts of the current discussion.

Snapchat officially announced that users with more than 5GB would receive 12 months of temporary Memories storage for content exceeding the 5GB limit. However, Snapchat’s public announcement does not give one universal deletion date that applies to every account.

That means you should be cautious about social-media posts or articles claiming that every Snapchat user must save their Memories by one specific date.

Your account’s own storage status and notifications are more relevant than an unsupported date circulating online.

If you are already over 5GB, there is little benefit in waiting until the end of the temporary-storage period. You can download your Memories now, remove content you do not need, or choose a storage plan.

What Happens If Your Memories Are Over 5GB?

Snapchat’s current support page says that 5GB of your Snaps under the free storage limit will be saved. If you are over the limit, Snapchat says you need to trim your Memories or upgrade your storage. It also confirms that you can download your Memories to your device.

For example, imagine you have 8GB of Memories:

The first 5GB falls within the complimentary allowance.
The remaining storage is above the free limit.
You can reduce your collection, download your Memories, or select a storage plan.
The safest option for irreplaceable photos and videos is to maintain a copy outside Snapchat.

The exact content that remains available should not be inferred from social-media claims. If your account is over the limit, use the storage information shown inside Snapchat and take action rather than relying on a third-party deadline.

How to Save Your Snapchat Memories

If your Memories contain important photos, videos, family moments, or other content you cannot replace, make a copy before changing your storage.

There are two useful approaches.

Save Individual or Selected Memories

For a small number of important Snaps:

Open Snapchat.
Swipe up from the Camera screen to open Memories.
Press and hold a Snap.
Tap Export.
Choose where you want to save it.

Snapchat also allows you to select multiple Snaps at once from the Memories selector and export them together.

This method works well if you only need to preserve selected photos or videos.

Download Your Memories in Bulk

If you have years of Memories, Snapchat provides a dedicated Memories export through My Data.

To request it:

Log in to your Snapchat account at the Snapchat Accounts Portal.
Select My Data.
Turn on Export your Memories under the data-selection options.
Select Request Only Memories.
Choose the date range you want.
Confirm the email address where Snapchat should notify you.
Submit the request.
When the export is ready, select See exports and download it.

The downloaded data arrives as a ZIP file. After extracting it, Snapchat says you can open index.html, choose Memories, and download individual Memories or all of them at once.

Large Memories Collections May Take Longer to Export

If you have a very large collection, do not wait until the last possible moment to request an export.

Snapchat says processing time depends on the size of the download. The company says it strives to deliver My Data downloads within seven days, but large requests can take longer. Snapchat also recommends using a computer for downloading your data if possible.

That is an important practical limitation that is easy to overlook.

Do You Have to Pay for Snapchat+ to Keep Your Memories?

No. You can keep Memories within the complimentary 5GB allowance without purchasing a subscription.

If you need more storage, Snapchat currently lists these options:

100GB Memories-only plan
Snapchat+, typically including 250GB
Lens+, with the same storage amount as Snapchat+
Snapchat+ Platinum, including 5TB

Snapchat says pricing should be checked directly in the app because current prices can change.

There is also an important cancellation rule. Snapchat says that if you cancel a 100GB Memories-only plan while still using more than the free 5GB allowance, you have 48 hours to resubscribe before over-limit Memories are affected.

So paying for storage is an option, not the only solution.

What Should You Do If You Are Over 5GB?

Your best choice depends on how valuable your Memories are and how much storage you need.

If you have only slightly more than 5GB

Download older or duplicate Memories and reduce the amount stored in Snapchat.

If you have many years of Memories

Request a full Memories export first. Once you have verified that the files are safely stored elsewhere, you can decide whether to delete content or continue paying for additional storage.

If your Memories are irreplaceable

Keep an independent copy even if you choose a paid Snapchat plan.

A storage subscription protects access within Snapchat, but a separate copy gives you another place to keep important photos and videos.

Does Snapchat Back Up Your Camera Roll?

No. This is another point that can cause confusion.

Snapchat’s current storage documentation specifically notes that camera-roll media is not backed up to Memories. The Memories storage system concerns content saved in Snapchat Memories, not everything stored in your phone’s camera roll.

If you have important photos in your camera roll, you should use whatever separate phone or cloud backup system you normally rely on for those files.

Can Deleted Snapchat Memories Be Recovered?

You should not count on recovery.

Snapchat’s support documentation says that deleted or missing Memories cannot be recovered by Snapchat Support. If Memories disappear unexpectedly, Snapchat recommends basic troubleshooting such as updating the app, clearing its cache, and restarting the device.

That makes prevention particularly important.

Before deleting Memories to get below 5GB, make sure you have exported anything you may want later.

Snapchat Memories vs. Regular Snaps and Chats

The Memories storage change should not be confused with Snapchat’s normal deletion rules for Snaps and Chats.

These are separate types of content with different storage and deletion behavior.

Memories are saved content stored in your Snapchat account. The current 5GB issue concerns this storage.

Regular Snaps and Chats have their own automatic deletion rules, so information about when Snapchat deletes an unopened Snap or a Chat should not be used to determine how Memories work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Snapchat deleting everyone’s Memories?

No. Snapchat has introduced a 5GB complimentary storage allowance and additional storage options for users with larger Memories collections. Users with less than 5GB were specifically told that nothing would change as a result of the new storage plans.

Does Snapchat delete Memories over 5GB?

Memories above the complimentary 5GB allowance are subject to Snapchat’s temporary-storage and paid-storage rules. Snapchat says users over the limit need to trim their Memories or upgrade their storage.

How much free Memories storage does Snapchat give you?

Snapchat currently provides up to 5GB of complimentary Memories storage.

How do I know if my Memories are over 5GB?

Open Settings > My App > Memories > Cloud Storage in Snapchat. You may also see a Low Storage warning when you are approaching the limit.

How long do I have to save Snapchat Memories?

Snapchat announced 12 months of temporary storage for Memories exceeding the 5GB limit. It has not published one universal deletion date that applies to every account.

Can I download all my Snapchat Memories?

Yes. Snapchat provides a Memories-only export through My Data. Large exports can take longer to process, so it is better to request one before you urgently need the files.

Do I have to buy Snapchat+ to keep my Memories?

No. You can use the complimentary 5GB allowance without paying. If you need additional storage, Snapchat offers several paid options.

Can I recover deleted Snapchat Memories?

Snapchat says Support cannot recover deleted or missing Memories. If a Memory is important, download a copy before deleting it.

Will Snapchat delete my old Memories just because they are old?

The current issue is not simply the age of a Memory. The storage change concerns the amount of Memories stored, particularly content above the 5GB complimentary allowance.

Conclusion

Snapchat is not deleting everyone’s Memories. The important change is the introduction of a 5GB complimentary Memories storage limit. If your account is over that limit, Snapchat provides temporary storage for the excess Memories and gives you the choice to reduce your collection or use additional storage.

If you are concerned about losing anything important, check Cloud Storage in Snapchat first. If you are over 5GB, request a Memories export and keep a copy outside Snapchat before deleting anything.

Most importantly, do not rely on a random social-media post claiming that every Snapchat account has the same deletion deadline. Snapchat’s official announcement confirms the 12-month temporary-storage policy, but not one universal date for all users.