How Snapchat Memories Storage Works and What It Costs

Snapchat Memories is a paid storage feature, not a free service

Snapchat Memories lets you save photos and videos to a private cloud storage space within the Snapchat app. The basic version is free and holds up to 100 MB of content — roughly 50 to 100 photos depending on quality. If you want more space, Snapchat charges a monthly subscription fee. The exact price varies by region and changes periodically, but in the United States it typically ranges from $0.99 to $2.99 per month for additional storage tiers.

The payment is charged to the payment method you have linked to your Snapchat account — usually a debit card, credit card, or payment app like Apple Pay or Google Pay. The charge appears on your statement as "Snapchat" or "Snap Inc." and recurs every month until you cancel the subscription.

Key Takeaways

• Snapchat Memories free tier holds about 100 MB; paid tiers start around $0.99 monthly and add storage in increments up to several gigabytes.
• Charges recur monthly and appear on your linked payment method as "Snapchat" or "Snap Inc." — set a reminder to cancel if you do not want to renew.
• You can see your current storage use and subscription status in the Memories section of the app under Settings.
• Cancelling the subscription stops future charges but does not delete the content you have already saved.

How to check your current storage and subscription status

Open Snapchat and tap your profile icon in the top left corner. Scroll down and tap "Memories" — this shows you how much storage you are using and whether you have a paid subscription active. The app displays a storage meter and lists any active paid plans.

If you have a paid subscription, you will see the plan name, the amount of storage it includes, and the renewal date. If you are on the free tier, the screen will show "100 MB" as your limit and an option to upgrade.

How to add or change a payment method for Snapchat Memories

Go to your profile icon, then tap "Username" at the top. Tap "Snapchat+," which is Snapchat's subscription hub. From there, tap "Manage Billing" or "Payment Methods." You can add a new card, update an existing one, or switch between payment methods you have already saved.

Snapchat accepts most major credit and debit cards, as well as payment apps like Apple Pay and Google Pay depending on your device and region. If a payment fails — for example, because your card expired or was declined — Snapchat will attempt to charge you again over the next few days. If all attempts fail, your paid subscription will pause until you update your payment information.

How to cancel a Snapchat Memories paid subscription

Open Snapchat, go to your profile, and tap "Snapchat+" or navigate to the Memories section. Look for your active subscription and tap "Manage Subscription" or "Cancel Subscription." Confirm the cancellation when prompted.

Cancelling stops future charges immediately — you will not be charged again after you confirm. However, you keep access to the content you have already saved for the remainder of your current billing period. After that period ends, you drop back to the free 100 MB tier. Any content beyond 100 MB will no longer be accessible, though Snapchat typically gives you a grace period to download or delete files before they are removed.

What happens if a payment fails or bounces

If your payment method is declined, Snapchat will retry the charge over several days. During this time, your subscription remains active. If all retry attempts fail, your paid subscription pauses and you lose access to the extra storage until you update your payment method.

Snapchat does not charge late fees or overdraft penalties — the charge simply does not go through. However, if you do not fix the payment method within a certain window (usually 30 days), your subscription may be cancelled automatically. You can reactivate it at any time by updating your payment information and choosing to renew.

Understanding the difference between Snapchat Memories and Snapchat+

Snapchat Memories is storage for your own snaps and videos. Snapchat+ is a separate premium subscription that adds features like custom notification sounds, the ability to pin a friend as your #1 best friend, and early access to new features. The two subscriptions are independent — you can have one, both, or neither.

Both charge monthly to your linked payment method. If you have both active, you will see two separate line items on your bill. Cancelling one does not affect the other.

How to download your Snapchat Memories before cancelling

If you are cancelling your paid subscription and want to keep the photos and videos you saved, download them to your phone first. Open Snapchat, go to Memories, and tap and hold on any photo or video. Select "Save to Camera Roll" (on iPhone) or "Save to Gallery" (on Android). You will need to do this for each file individually — there is no bulk download option within the app.

Alternatively, you can request a data download from Snapchat. Go to your profile, tap "Settings," scroll to "Account," and look for "Download My Data." This creates a file of all your account information, including saved snaps, though the process can take several days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Snapchat Memories without paying?

Yes. The free tier gives you 100 MB of storage, which is enough for roughly 50 to 100 photos. You only pay if you want more space. The free version works the same way — you save snaps to Memories the same way, and they stay private to your account.

What payment methods does Snapchat accept?

Snapchat accepts major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover), as well as Apple Pay and Google Pay depending on your device and region. You can also pay through your mobile carrier's billing in some countries. Check your payment options in the Snapchat+ or Memories settings to see what is available where you are.

Will Snapchat charge me if I forget to cancel?

Yes. Snapchat will continue to charge you monthly until you manually cancel the subscription. There is no automatic cancellation after a set number of months. If you do not want to renew, you need to cancel before your next billing date. Set a phone reminder if you think you might forget.

What happens to my saved snaps if I cancel the subscription?

Content within your free 100 MB limit stays accessible. Anything beyond that becomes inaccessible after your current billing period ends. Snapchat usually gives you a grace period to download or delete files before they are permanently removed, but the exact timeline varies. Download important files before you cancel if you want to keep them.

Can I pause my subscription instead of cancelling?

Snapchat does not offer a pause feature for Memories. You can only cancel or keep the subscription active. If you want to stop paying temporarily, cancel now and resubscribe later when you need the extra storage. There is no penalty for reactivating.