Snapchat To Charge Fees For Memories Storage: How To Export Your Data Right Now
Snapchat is rolling out a controversial new policy that will charge users for storing more than 5GB of photos and videos in its Memories feature. Since its launch in 2016, Memories has preserved over one trillion user moments, becoming a staple for many Snapchat users.
### What’s Changing?
As part of a gradual global update, this change primarily affects heavy users with large archives, while sparing the vast majority who stay under the free 5GB limit. Pricing starts at $1.99 per month for an additional 100GB, with 250GB bundled into the $3.99 Snapchat+ subscription.
Users who exceed the 5GB threshold will receive a 12-month grace period of temporary free storage. After this period, they must either pay for additional storage or risk losing access to their content.
### User Reactions
The move has sparked backlash on social media. Many users have called the policy “greedy” and unfair—particularly hurting those who have accumulated irreplaceable snaps over the years without prior warning.
Snapchat defends the fees as essential to fund enhancements to the Memories feature. The company emphasizes that Memories allows users to revisit and reshare old posts, making it a valuable part of the Snapchat experience.
### Avoiding the Charges
To avoid these new fees entirely, Snapchat recommends exporting your data to personal devices or other cloud services like Google Photos or iCloud during the 12-month grace period. While exporting is straightforward, it can be time-consuming for those with extensive libraries.
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## How to Export Your Snapchat Memories: A Step-by-Step Guide
For those looking to sidestep the fees, Snapchat offers two main export methods: batch-downloading up to 100 snaps at a time via the app, or requesting a full data download. Here’s how to do it based on user-tested steps.
### Method 1: Export in Batches of 100 Snaps (Best for Selective Saving)
1. Open the Snapchat app and tap the **Memories** icon (photos overlapping) to the left of the camera button to access your Memories screen.
2. Tap the **Select** button at the top of the screen.
3. Swipe through the Memories carousel below to choose up to 100 snaps you want to keep.
4. Once selected, tap the **Export** button (upward arrow icon) at the bottom.
5. Choose your save destination and select **Download** to store the files locally on your device.
*Tip:* Repeat this process for additional batches if you have more than 100 items. This method lets you cherry-pick favorites but can take longer for large collections.
### Method 2: Download All Your Snapchat Data (Including Full Memories)
1. In the Snapchat app, go to your **Profile** screen by tapping the top-left icon from the camera view.
2. Tap the gear icon (**Settings**) in the top-right corner.
3. Scroll down and select **My Data**.
4. Choose what to include — opt for **Memories** and other media files, or select **Everything** for a complete export.
5. Tap **Next**, then pick a time range like **All Time**, and hit **Submit**.
6. Snapchat will email you a download link for a .zip file once it’s ready. Note that this can take hours or days for large archives.
7. Unzip the file on your device and upload the contents to a free alternative like Google Photos (via Drive) or Apple iCloud Photos.
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### Warnings and Tips
– The Snapchat app does not provide an exact storage size readout, but the .zip file’s total size can give you a rough estimate of how much data you have.
– Act within the 12-month grace period to avoid potential deletions of your stored Memories.
– For massive libraries, the full data download is more efficient than exporting in batches.
– If you are unsure where to start, try exporting a small batch first to familiarize yourself with the process.
By following these steps, you can preserve your cherished Snapchat Memories without incurring new storage fees.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/tech/snapchat-to-charge-fees-for-memories-storage-how-to-export-your-data-right-now
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