Snapchat has come under fire from users following its decision to impose new fees on photo and video storage within its Memories feature — a significant shift from the app’s long-standing policy of providing unlimited free storage since the feature launched in 2016.

Under the revised policy, users who have saved more than 5GB of content in Memories will be required to pay a monthly subscription fee to maintain access to their archives. The new tiered pricing begins at $1.99 per month for 100GB of storage, or $3.99 for 250GB, as part of the company’s Snapchat+ premium service.

The changes are being implemented gradually across global markets, though the company has yet to confirm final pricing for users in the UK and other regions. Snap Inc., the parent company, says the policy update is necessary to support the platform’s continued growth and service improvements.

“We know it’s never easy to transition from receiving a service for free to paying for it,” Snap said in an official blog post. “But these changes will allow us to continue investing in making Memories better for our entire community.”

According to the company, more than one trillion Memories have been saved by users globally since the feature was introduced, highlighting its widespread adoption and emotional value.

Transition Period and User Discontent

To ease the transition, Snap is offering a 12-month grace period to affected users who exceed the 5GB limit. During that time, users will have the option to either download their saved content or subscribe to retain access beyond the cap.

Despite the temporary reprieve, the announcement has triggered a wave of criticism across social media platforms. Numerous users have expressed frustration and disappointment, accusing the company of exploiting long-time users who were led to believe their archives would remain free.

“I’ve got nearly a decade of my life in Memories. Now I either pay up or lose everything. It’s unfair,” one user posted.

Others labeled the move “greedy,” with some stating they plan to download their archives and delete the app altogether.

Experts Say Monetization Shift Was Inevitable

Industry analysts say the backlash was expected, but the move itself was foreseeable.

Drew Benvie, CEO of social media consultancy Battenhall, noted that the change reflects broader trends across the tech sector:

“The road to paying for storage on social media is inevitable. In an era where people post less publicly but save more privately, this is how platforms sustain themselves.”

The move also comes as Snapchat faces mounting competition from larger rivals such as TikTok and Instagram, which have surpassed the one-billion-user mark. Analysts say the company is under pressure to diversify its revenue streams as it adapts to changing user behaviors and economic conditions.

Snapchat currently has around 900 million monthly active users. In recent years, the company has introduced several premium features under the Snapchat+ subscription banner in an effort to boost profitability.

While Snap emphasizes that the majority of users will not be affected by the 5GB cap, the change could significantly impact long-time users who have used Snapchat as a personal archive.

With the rollout underway, the company is betting that users will ultimately see value in preserving their digital memories — even if it means paying a price. However, whether the shift will lead to increased revenue or further alienate its base remains to be seen.