To transfer Snapchat memories to iCloud, export your Snapchat data, import it to your camera roll using Memories Import to preserve original dates and locations, and let iCloud Photos sync everything automatically. Your memories will then be accessible on every Apple device linked to your Apple ID.
Why Move Snapchat Memories to iCloud Photos?
Keeping your memories locked inside the Snapchat app means they are only accessible on one device, through one app, and increasingly behind a paywall. Moving them to iCloud Photos transforms them into a permanent part of your Apple photo library with major advantages.
- Access on every Apple device - Your Snapchat memories become available on your iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and even through iCloud.com on any web browser.
- Integrated with Apple Photos - Search by people, places, and objects. Create albums, slideshows, and shared libraries. Your Snapchat memories become first-class citizens alongside your regular photos.
- Automatic backups - iCloud Photos keeps a cloud copy of every photo and video, protecting you from device loss or damage.
- No app dependency - Unlike Snapchat Memories, your iCloud photos do not require any specific app to remain accessible. Even if you switch platforms, you can download everything from iCloud.com.
- Cost savings - iCloud+ plans start at just $0.99/month for 50 GB, compared to Snapchat+ costs that can reach $192/year for memory storage alone.
Step-by-Step Transfer Process
The transfer happens in three straightforward phases. The entire process can be completed on your iPhone without needing a computer.
Phase 1: Export Your Data from Snapchat
Snapchat allows every user to request a complete download of their account data, including all saved memories.
- Open a browser on your iPhone or computer and visit accounts.snapchat.com
- Sign in with your Snapchat credentials
- Tap "My Data"
- Scroll to the bottom and tap "Submit Request"
- Snapchat will send you an email within 24 to 48 hours with a download link
- Download the ZIP file directly to your iPhone using the link in the email
The ZIP file does not contain your actual photos and videos directly. Instead, it includes links that Memories Import uses to download each memory individually. These links expire after 7 days, so do not delay processing your export once you receive it.
Phase 2: Import to Camera Roll with Correct Dates
This is the most important step. Simply downloading photos from Snapchat would give them today's date instead of their original creation date. Memories Import solves this by reading the metadata from your export and embedding the correct dates and GPS coordinates into each file.
- Download Memories Import from the App Store ($4.99 one-time purchase)
- Open the app and select your Snapchat export ZIP file
- Tap Import and grant photo library access
- Wait for the import to finish. The app shows progress and allows pausing and resuming if needed.
Everything is processed entirely on your device. Memories Import never uploads your photos to any server, requires no account, and collects no personal data. The one-time cost of $4.99 covers unlimited imports forever.
Phase 3: Let iCloud Photos Sync
If you already have iCloud Photos enabled on your iPhone, this step happens automatically. Your newly imported Snapchat memories will begin uploading to iCloud in the background. To verify iCloud Photos is enabled:
- Open Settings on your iPhone
- Tap your name at the top, then iCloud
- Tap Photos
- Make sure "Sync this iPhone" is toggled on
Once enabled, your iPhone will upload all newly imported memories to iCloud whenever you are connected to Wi-Fi and your device is charging. For large imports of thousands of photos, the initial sync may take several hours, but it happens entirely in the background.
iCloud Storage Plans vs Snapchat+ Costs
One of the strongest reasons to move your memories to iCloud is the cost difference. Here is how the two compare:
Snapchat+ Storage Costs
Snapchat has been steadily increasing the cost of storing memories in the cloud. Snapchat+ subscriptions can cost up to $16/month ($192/year), and that only covers Snapchat-specific features. If you stop paying, you risk losing access to memories that exceed the free storage tier.
iCloud+ Storage Plans
Apple offers tiered iCloud storage plans that cover far more than just photos:
- 5 GB - Free (included with every Apple ID)
- 50 GB - $0.99/month ($11.88/year)
- 200 GB - $2.99/month ($35.88/year)
- 2 TB - $9.99/month ($119.88/year)
- 6 TB - $29.99/month ($359.88/year)
- 12 TB - $59.99/month ($719.88/year)
Even the 200 GB plan at $2.99/month gives you space for tens of thousands of Snapchat memories plus device backups, documents, and more. That is less than a quarter of what Snapchat+ costs annually, and you get a vastly more useful storage solution.
The Math
Consider this: for the $4.99 one-time cost of Memories Import plus $0.99/month for 50 GB of iCloud storage, you spend about $16.87 in the first year. That is less than a single month of Snapchat+ at its highest tier. Over two years, you save over $350 compared to keeping your memories in Snapchat's cloud.
Cross-Device Access After Transfer
Once your Snapchat memories are in iCloud Photos, they become available everywhere in Apple's ecosystem:
iPhone and iPad
Open the Photos app and browse your entire library. Your Snapchat memories are sorted by their original dates, so scrolling back through your timeline shows them exactly where they belong chronologically. Use the People, Places, and Search tabs to find specific memories instantly.
Mac
The Photos app on macOS syncs with iCloud Photos, giving you access to all your Snapchat memories on a large screen. This is ideal for organizing memories into albums, editing photos with desktop tools, or creating slideshows and projects.
Apple TV
View your Snapchat memories on the big screen through the Photos app on Apple TV. Set them as screensavers or browse through them during family gatherings. Memories you thought were buried in Snapchat now come to life on your television.
iCloud.com
Access your entire photo library from any web browser at iCloud.com/photos. This means you can view your Snapchat memories from a Windows PC, a Chromebook, or any device with a browser, without installing any software.
Optimizing iCloud Storage for Imported Memories
After importing a large Snapchat library, you might want to optimize how iCloud manages storage on your device.
Optimize iPhone Storage
Go to Settings, then your name, then iCloud, then Photos. Enable "Optimize iPhone Storage" to keep full-resolution versions in iCloud while storing smaller versions on your device. This is especially helpful if your Snapchat import used a significant amount of local storage. Your iPhone will automatically manage which photos are stored locally based on available space and which ones you access most frequently.
Download and Keep Originals
If you prefer to always have full-resolution copies on your device, select "Download and Keep Originals" instead. This requires more local storage but ensures you can access your memories at full quality even without an internet connection.
Using Apple Photos Features with Snapchat Memories
Once in iCloud Photos, your Snapchat memories gain access to all of Apple's photo intelligence features:
- People album - Apple Photos automatically identifies and groups faces, letting you browse all photos of a specific friend across your entire library including Snapchat imports.
- Places map - Memories with preserved GPS coordinates appear on an interactive map in the Places tab, showing exactly where each photo was taken.
- Memories and featured photos - Apple's algorithm creates curated collections and slideshows that may include your Snapchat memories, surfacing moments you had forgotten about.
- Search - Search for objects, scenes, and text within photos. Type "concert" or "snow" and find relevant Snapchat memories alongside your regular photos.
- Shared iCloud Photo Library - With iOS 16 and later, you can add imported Snapchat memories to a shared library that family members can view and contribute to.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my Snapchat memories sync to all my Apple devices through iCloud?
Yes. Once your Snapchat memories are saved to your camera roll with iCloud Photos enabled, they automatically sync to every Apple device signed into the same Apple ID, including your iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV. The photos appear with their original dates on every device.
Is iCloud storage cheaper than Snapchat+ for storing memories?
Yes, significantly. iCloud+ plans start at $0.99/month for 50 GB, while Snapchat+ can cost up to $192/year just for memory storage. With iCloud, you also get storage for device backups, documents, email, and more. Plus, your memories are accessible in your Photos app rather than locked inside Snapchat.
How much iCloud storage do I need for my Snapchat memories?
A typical Snapchat library of 1,000 to 2,000 memories uses approximately 5 to 15 GB of storage. Every Apple ID comes with 5 GB of free iCloud storage, but this is shared with device backups and other data. Most users with a large Snapchat library will benefit from at least the 50 GB plan at $0.99/month or the 200 GB plan at $2.99/month.
Do I need a Mac or computer to transfer Snapchat memories to iCloud?
No. The entire process can be done on your iPhone. You request your Snapchat data export, download the ZIP file on your phone, import it with Memories Import, and iCloud Photos handles the sync automatically. No computer is needed at any step.
Ready to move your Snapchat memories to iCloud?
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