How to Download All Your Snapchat Memories (Complete 2025 Guide)

Why You Need to Back Up Your Snapchat Memories Now

Snapchat recently announced a 5GB storage limit for Memories. Once you exceed this limit, you'll need to pay for additional storage or risk losing access to your older photos and videos. This makes backing up your memories more important than ever.

Your memories represent years of captured moments - from spontaneous selfies to milestone events. Unlike photos stored on your phone or in cloud services you control, Snapchat memories exist only within Snapchat's ecosystem.

Method 1: In-App Export (Manual, 100 at a Time)

The most straightforward method is exporting directly from the Snapchat app to your phone's camera roll.

Steps:

1. Open Snapchat and swipe up to access Memories
2. Tap the checkmark icon to enter selection mode
3. Select up to 100 photos/videos
4. Tap the Export button
5. Choose "Save to Camera Roll" or "Download"
6. Repeat until all memories are saved

Pros:

• No technical skills required
• Files save directly to your device
• Original quality preserved

Cons:

• Limited to 100 items per batch
• Extremely time-consuming for large collections
• No metadata preservation (dates, locations)
• For 5,000 memories: expect 50+ repetitive sessions

Method 2: Download My Data (Official Web Export)

Snapchat provides an official data export tool at accounts.snapchat.com as part of GDPR compliance.

Steps:

1. Go to accounts.snapchat.com and log in
2. Navigate to "My Data"
3. Enable the "Memory" toggle under export options
4. Click "Submit Request"
5. Wait 1-7 days for the email notification
6. Download the ZIP file (valid for ~48 hours)
7. Extract and access your memories via HTML files

What You Get:

The export contains:

• memories_history.json - Metadata with download links
• HTML files - Browser-viewable pages with download buttons
• Account data - Chat history, friends list, and more

The Catch:

Your actual memory files are NOT in the ZIP. Instead, you get temporary download links that:

• Expire within 24-48 hours
• Must be clicked individually
• Often fail for large collections
• Require manual effort to download each file

Pros:

• Export all memories at once
• Includes metadata in JSON format
• Free and official

Cons:

• Links expire quickly
• Clicking thousands of download links is impractical
• No organization or folder structure
• Process can fail silently for some memories

Method 3: Third-Party Tools

Several tools have emerged to address Snapchat's export limitations.

MemorEasy (Free, Open-Source)

A Python-based tool that helps organize memories you've already downloaded.

• Extracts metadata from Snapchat's JSON files
• Embeds dates and GPS data into photos as EXIF data
• Organizes files into folders by date

• Download your memories (you need the files first)
• Help with expired links
• Provide a visual interface

Learn more about MemorEasy

LeaveSnap (Paid)

A web-based tool designed for users who want to export everything with minimal effort.

• Downloads all memories from your Snapchat export
• Handles expired link issues
• Preserves original dates and metadata
• Organizes memories by year and month
• Provides a visual carousel to preview everything

Comparison: Which Method Should You Choose?

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

"Download Failed" in App

• Check your internet connection
• Clear Snapchat's cache (Settings > Clear Cache)
• Ensure you have enough storage on your device
• Try selecting fewer memories per batch

Expired Links in Download My Data

• Links expire within 24-48 hours of export
• Request a new export if links have expired
• Work quickly once you receive the email
• Consider automated tools for large collections

Missing Memories

• Check "My Eyes Only" separately (requires passcode)
• Verify the date range in your export request
• Some content from 2023-2024 may use newer storage

FAQ

A: No, exporting or downloading creates a copy. Your memories remain in Snapchat until you delete them.

A: Snapchat processes requests within 1-7 days. Large archives may take longer.

A: Yes, but you'll need your passcode. They're included in the Download My Data export if enabled.

A: In-app exports may compress files. For original quality, use Download My Data.

Take Action Now

With Snapchat's storage limits now in effect, there's no better time to back up your memories. Whether you choose the manual route or invest in automation, the important thing is to start before link expiration or storage limits put your memories at risk.