Is Snapchat Deleting Memories?

If you have seen posts saying “Snapchat is deleting Memories,” you may be worried about losing old photos and videos. The concern is understandable because Snapchat has made an important change to how Memories storage works.

The good news is that Snapchat is not deleting everyone’s Memories. However, the platform has introduced a 5GB limit for free Memories storage. If your saved Memories are above that limit, you may need to take action to keep everything stored on Snapchat.

Here is what the latest information means for Snapchat users in 2026.

Is Snapchat Deleting Memories?

Snapchat is not simply deleting all Memories from users’ accounts.

Instead, Snapchat has changed its storage policy, which has led some users to ask, “Is Snapchat shutting down?” However, Snapchat is not shutting down. Users now receive up to 5GB of free Memories storage, while those with more than 5GB can purchase additional storage or choose a Snapchat subscription that includes more storage.

This change was announced in September 2025. Snapchat said that Memories above the 5GB free limit would receive 12 months of temporary storage, giving affected users time to upgrade their storage or download their Memories.

So, the answer is yes, some Memories could eventually be affected, but Snapchat is not deleting everyone’s Memories.

Why Is Snapchat Changing Memories Storage?

For years, Snapchat Memories allowed users to save large collections of photos and videos without worrying much about storage limits.

As people accumulated years of Snaps, their Memories libraries became much larger. Snapchat introduced storage plans as a way to manage these large libraries and continue supporting Memories as a long-term feature.

Snap also confirmed in February 2026 that Memories Storage Plans are available for users with more than 5GB of Memories.

This means the change is mainly about storage capacity, rather than Snapchat removing the Memories feature.

What Happens If You Have More Than 5GB?

If your Snapchat Memories are over the free 5GB limit, Snapchat provides temporary storage for the Memories above that limit.

You do not have to immediately delete your old photos and videos.

You can choose to upgrade your storage instead. Snapchat currently lists a 100GB Memories-only plan, while Snapchat+ typically includes 250GB of Memories storage and Snapchat+ Platinum includes 5TB.

This gives users several ways to keep larger Memories collections on Snapchat.

Will Snapchat Delete Memories Above 5GB?

This is the part that has caused the most confusion.

Snapchat’s official announcement says Memories over the 5GB limit receive 12 months of temporary storage. The company also says users can upgrade their storage plan and download their Memories directly to their devices.

Therefore, users who are over the limit should not ignore the warning.

If you want to keep your Memories safely, consider downloading important photos and videos or upgrading your storage before the temporary period ends.

How to Check Your Snapchat Memories Storage

You can check whether your account is affected directly inside Snapchat.

Open Snapchat and go to Memories. If your account is subject to the new storage system, Snapchat may show your storage usage or an option to upgrade your storage.

Look for an “Upgrade Storage” option. Snapchat’s current support documentation confirms that storage upgrades can be managed from Memories.

If you are below the free storage limit, you may not need to do anything.

How to Protect Your Snapchat Memories

If your Memories are important to you, it is a good idea to keep another copy.

One option is to save important Memories to your phone’s Camera Roll. Snapchat allows users to choose whether Snaps are saved to Memories, Camera Roll, or both.

You can also request a Memories export through Snapchat’s data download system.

To export Memories, Snapchat says you can go to My Data, turn on Export your Memories, choose the date range, and request the Memories download.

Having a backup means you are not relying entirely on your Snapchat account to preserve your photos.

What If Your Memories Are Already Missing?

Not every missing Memory is caused by the new storage policy.

Sometimes Memories may appear missing, empty, or grey because of an app or storage issue. Snapchat recommends updating the app and checking your device storage when Memories do not load correctly.

You should also check whether your Memories have finished backing up.

Snapchat says the Backup Progress section should show “Complete” when your Memories are fully backed up.

If you accidentally delete a Memory, the situation is different. Snapchat says deleted or lost Memories generally cannot be recovered because deleted content is removed from its servers.

Does Snapchat+ Keep Your Memories Safe?

Snapchat+ can provide additional Memories storage, but it is important to understand that Snapchat+ is not simply a backup service.

Snapchat currently says Snapchat+ typically includes 250GB of Memories storage, while other subscription options provide different storage amounts.

If you have a large Memories collection, a subscription can help you stay within the available storage limit.

However, keeping a personal backup on your phone or another secure storage service is still a smart idea for particularly important photos and videos.

What Is the Latest Snapchat Memories Update?

As of August 2026, Snapchat continues to support Memories and has not announced that the feature is being shut down.

In July 2026, Snapchat’s own newsroom continued to discuss Memories Storage as part of its subscription offerings, showing that Memories remains an active part of Snapchat’s product strategy.

The major change is the move away from unlimited free Memories storage toward a 5GB free allowance with paid options for users who need more space.

That is why so many users are seeing warnings and posts about Snapchat deleting Memories.

Final Answer: Is Snapchat Deleting Memories?

Snapchat is not deleting all Memories.

The important change is that Snapchat now provides 5GB of free Memories storage. If your Memories collection exceeds that amount, the extra content is temporarily stored while you decide whether to upgrade or download your Memories.

If you have years of important Snaps saved, do not wait until the last minute. Check your Memories storage, back up your favorite photos and videos, and consider an appropriate storage plan if you want to keep everything inside Snapchat.

The safest approach is simple: check your storage now and keep a backup of Memories you cannot afford to lose.