The Snapchat Memories 5GB Limit: What Gets Archived in January 2027

The rule in one paragraph

Snapchat gives you up to 5GB of free Memories storage. Starting in January 2027, Memories that are more than one year old and are not part of your oldest 5GB will be archived and remain stored on Snapchat. You keep access to Memories saved within the last year and to your oldest 5GB. Archived Memories appear as thumbnails in the app, and you need to upgrade your storage to open, edit, or share them. Snapchat says it will not automatically delete your Memories because you do not upgrade, that nothing will be archived before January 2027, and that you get advance notice in the app first.

Which of your memories stay, and which get archived

In practice: if you started saving snaps years ago, your earliest memories and your latest year stay open, and the years in between are usually what moves behind the paywall. Videos fill 5GB fast, so heavy video savers lose access to the most.

How to see how much storage you use

1. In My Account, tap the gear icon to open Settings.
2. Scroll down to My App and tap Memories.
3. Check the number under Cloud Storage and compare it with 5GB.

If you have more than 5GB saved, Snapchat also shows a notice in the Memories section with your usage. If you see no upgrade banner at all, Snapchat says your Memories continue to be stored as they are today.

Your three options

1. Pay for a storage plan

In the US, the 100GB Memories-only plan costs $1.99 a month or $20 a year. Snapchat+ typically includes 250GB and Snapchat+ Platinum 5TB. Prices vary by market. It works, as long as you keep paying.

2. Do nothing

Nothing is deleted, but from January 2027 the archived part of your library is thumbnails you cannot open. You can still subscribe or download later, under whatever terms apply then.

3. Download your memories once and keep them

Snapchat names downloading as a way to access your Memories outside the app. Request the export now, while everything is still open, and put it in your Camera Roll. Snapchat's raw export strips dates and locations into a separate JSON file and splits captions from the media; Memport puts it all back together on your iPhone, with nothing uploaded. The full walkthrough is in our step-by-step guide.

Frequently asked questions

How much free Memories storage does Snapchat give you?

5GB. If you save more than that, Snapchat offers paid Memories storage plans.

What happens in January 2027 if I am over 5GB?

Starting in January 2027, Memories that are more than one year old and are not part of your oldest 5GB will be archived. They remain stored on Snapchat and appear as thumbnails, but you need to upgrade your storage to open, edit, or share them.

Which memories stay accessible?

According to Snapchat, everything saved within the last year, plus your oldest 5GB of Memories.

Will Snapchat delete memories over the 5GB limit?

No. Snapchat says it will not automatically delete your Memories because you do not upgrade. Over-limit Memories older than a year get archived instead.

Can anything be archived before January 2027?

Snapchat says no Memories will be archived before January 2027, and that it will give you advance notice in the app before anything changes for you.

How much do Snapchat storage plans cost?

In the US, a 100GB Memories-only plan costs $1.99 a month or $20 a year. Snapchat+ typically includes 250GB and Snapchat+ Platinum 5TB. Prices vary by market, so check the app for your local price.

How do I get archived memories out without paying?

Snapchat names two ways to access archived Memories outside the app: subscribing, or downloading your Memories. Downloading gives you ZIP files; Memport turns those into a normal photo library on your iPhone with original dates and locations.

Source for all storage facts on this page: Snapchat Support, "How do I manage my Memories storage?", checked October 11, 2026.