Snapchat is making some changes to its Memories feature. After almost ten years of being a digital scrapbook for users, Snapchat will limit free Memories storage to 5GB. If you have more than this, you’ll need to either export some memories or pay for additional storage.
The plans are straightforward. For $1.99 a month, you can get 100GB of space. If you’re a Snapchat+ user, you’ll receive 250GB for $3.99 a month. For users subscribed to Snapchat Platinum, there’s a whopping 5TB available for $15.99 a month. If you exceed the 5GB limit without subscribing, Snapchat will keep your oldest Snaps and delete the most recent ones.
While users have a year to manage their Memories before losing anything, many are choosing to export their Snaps instead of paying.
How to Save Your Snapchat Memories
If you’re looking to keep your Snaps, here are two options for you:
1. Export to Your Camera Roll
You can download your Memories to your device’s camera roll. This method allows you to pick and choose what you want to keep, but it does involve some effort since you can only download 100 Snaps at a time. Here’s how to do it:
- Open the Snapchat app and click on the “Memories” icon.
- Tap “Select” in the top right.
- Choose up to 100 Memories you wish to save.
- Click the “Export” button.
- Select “Download” to save them to your camera roll.
- Repeat as needed for more Snaps.
2. Use the “Download My Data” Tool
If exporting in batches isn’t your style, you can use Snapchat’s “Download My Data” feature. This allows you to receive a complete archive of your Memories in a .zip file via email. Here’s the process:
- Open Snapchat and go to your Profile.
- Tap the Settings icon.
- Scroll down and select “My Data.”
- Check the options for Memories, HTML Files, and JSON Files (leave out extra options if you only want Memories).
- Tap “Next” and choose “All Time” for the date range.
- Confirm your email and hit “Submit.”
The time it takes for you to receive the email varies based on how many memories you have saved.
Why It Matters
Limiting free storage isn’t just about money; it reflects a broader trend in the tech industry. Reports show that companies are shifting from free user services to more subscription-based models. This not only boosts revenue but also encourages users to actively manage their digital content.
For many, Memories hold sentimental value. A Pew Research survey found that nearly 70% of adult social media users routinely share and store personal memories online. Losing access to these could stir frustration and concern among users, especially those who grew up with Snapchat.
With these changes, it’s crucial for users to act now and decide how they want to manage their digital memories. Whether through exporting or subscribing, understanding your options can help ensure that you keep your favorite Snaps safe.
For further reading on this topic, you can check out the latest insights from Pew Research on social media usage trends.
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