How to Download Your Snapchat Data? Must Do After Paid Storage by Snapchat

It seems a common theme for big companies, especially tech, to introduce something really good, get the users hooked on it, and then introduce a pricing model for it. And since you are already using this feature, you have no option but to pay for it. While there are countless examples of it, Snapchat is the latest one. 

Just a few weeks ago, Snapchat announced that it wouldn’t be giving users unlimited storage for their photos and videos. This move has received a lot of criticism from Snapchat users worldwide. 

Snapchat has now introduced pricing for different levels of storage, and if you want more storage, you have to pay more. But for many users, that is not really an option, because they are not at the point where they are so hooked on Snapchat storing their photos and videos that they feel the need to pay for Snapchat storage. 

For those users, this guide is the right place, as today I will show you how to download your Snapchat data now that there is going to be a paid pricing model for storage on Snapchat. 

Why Do You Need to Download Your Snapchat Data?

When you click a photo or record a video on Snapchat, you get the option to save it on Memories, which is the cloud storage of Snapchat. Many users use Memories on Snapchat as it seamlessly syncs across multiple devices, and when you switch to a new phone, you get all of your stored photos and memories on Snapchat via Memories without any hassle. 

In fact, in my exploration, many users revealed that one of the main reasons why they use Snapchat is because of the cloud storage they get. So far, you could potentially save an unlimited number of photos and videos on Snapchat Memories. 

However, Snapchat has recently introduced a pricing model for cloud storage. So you only get 5GB Memories storage on Snapchat for free. 

Here is what the new pricing tier looks like:

So what will happen to people who have Memories more than 5GB on Snapchat? Well, Snapchat has clarified that they will “provide 12 months of temporary Memories storage for any Memories that exceed the 5GB storage limit.”

So if you have Memories more than 5GB, it’s time you download your Snapchat data and keep it safe. Otherwise, you will lose this data. Let’s see how to download your Snapchat data.

How to Download Your Snapchat Data?

Step 1: Open the Snapchat app on your phone.

Step 2: Tap on the Bitmoji icon in the top-left corner. 

Step 3: Now, tap on the Settings icon in the top-right corner. 

Step 4: Scroll down and tap on My Data under PRIVACY CONTROLS. 

Step 5: Here, tap to turn on the toggle for Export your Memories. Then scroll down and tap Next. 

Step 6: Now, select a date range. If you want to download everything, just tap on All Time. Then tap on Submit. 

You should get an email from Snapchat that also has the link to download your data. This process can take from hours to days, depending on your data. In case you just have small data files, you will get an email in about 30 minutes or so. 

Overall, you will find the access to your Snapchat data and downloading instructions in the email. 

Make sure you follow the instructions in the email and download your data. 

The Issue with Social Media Companies

At this point, a few social media platforms have a monopoly over social media across the whole world. The big companies know this, and they also know that they can easily get away with whatever they want to do. So Snapchat introducing a pricing tier for their otherwise free cloud storage is not shocking at all. Now, one could easily justify that they have such a large and growing user base that offering unlimited free cloud storage might be feasible for them. However, it is the user who has to pay the price at the end.

If you have Memories of under 5GB, more power to you. But if you have anything over 5GB on Snapchat and want the same user experience where you have your Memories, you must pay the additional price. It all kind of seems like a Black Mirror episode where it is not enough to create a huge outrage, but just enough to make something pinch. 

For those who might be unaware or think that it’s not that big of a deal, you have to understand how people use Snapchat. Initially, it is sending Snaps and making cool streaks, plus the disappearing chats add more to the user experience. However, as you spend some years on the app, you kind of start using Snapchat Memories more. 

I have talked to so many girls who use Snapchat Camera and Memories as their primary tools for taking photos and storing them. 

When I ask them, Why do you do it, they say, It’s easy, it has built-in filters we like, and when we change our phones, we simply download previous photos and videos from Memories. 

And those kinds of users are going to suffer the most because of these new pricing tiers for storage. Many Snapchat users on Reddit and other platforms are complaining that the only reason they were using Snapchat was because of free storage, and now that it is paid, there is no incentive for them to use the app. In a way, it is a loss for the company too. 

Closing Thoughts

That was all about how to download your Snapchat data. The process is really simple and safe. The time it takes depends on the data you have. If you have a lot of data, you can do it in several phases, as you still have about 12 months to do so. We hope this guide helps you. In case of any queries, feel free to reach out to us. 

Read: What Do Different Color Snaps and Chats Mean on Snapchat?

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