Is Snapchat really deleting my Memories?

Snapchat has announced that cloud-stored Memories will be deleted on September 1, 2026 unless you export them (or keep an active subscription). Exporting your data is free and the safest way to keep your photos and videos forever.

Why are the dates and locations wrong after I export?

Snapchat's export does not write metadata into the files themselves. The capture date, GPS location and timeline live only in a JSON file, so every photo and video shows the download date instead of when it was actually taken, and nothing has a location.

What does SnapMemories do?

SnapMemories reads the export's memories_history.json and writes the correct capture date (EXIF DateTimeOriginal) and GPS back into each file — including the QuickTime location atom Apple Photos needs for videos — merges Snapchat overlays, and returns a ready-to-import zip.

The deletion date is September 1, 2026. Request your export from Snapchat early — large libraries can take Snapchat a day or more to prepare, and you want time to fix the metadata before you import.

Snapchat Memories

Snapchat is deleting your Memories on September 1, 2026

Snapchat will permanently delete cloud-stored Memories on September 1, 2026. Exporting them is free — but the export comes out with the wrong dates and no location. Here is what to do, and how to keep your memories with their real timestamps.

What is happening

Memories that live in Snapchat's cloud are being removed. To keep yours, you have to download your data from Snapchat before the deadline. The catch: Snapchat's export does not embed metadata into your files. The capture date, GPS and timeline exist only inside a memories_history.json file, so once you import the photos and videos into Google Photos or Apple Photos they all show the download date and sit in the wrong place on your timeline.

What you need to do

In the Snapchat app or on accounts.snapchat.com, request a copy of your data and choose to include Memories. Do this early — large libraries take time to prepare.
Download the export .zip file(s) when Snapchat emails you the link.
Fix the metadata so every photo and video carries its real capture date and location before you import it anywhere.
Import the corrected files into your photo library — done.

How SnapMemories fixes the export

SnapMemories takes your Snapchat export and writes the correct capture date (EXIF DateTimeOriginal) and GPS location back into each file — including the QuickTime location atom that Apple Photos needs to show where a video was taken. It merges Snapchat overlays back onto your photos and returns a single, ready-to-import zip. Your first 100 memories are free.

Fix my Snapchat export →

New to this? See how SnapMemories fixes your export, or jump to the specifics: wrong dates, missing GPS and overlays.

Frequently asked questions

Is Snapchat really deleting my Memories?: Snapchat has announced that cloud-stored Memories will be deleted on September 1, 2026 unless you export them (or keep an active subscription). Exporting your data is free and the safest way to keep your photos and videos forever.
Why are the dates and locations wrong after I export?: Snapchat's export does not write metadata into the files themselves. The capture date, GPS location and timeline live only in a JSON file, so every photo and video shows the download date instead of when it was actually taken, and nothing has a location.
What does SnapMemories do?: SnapMemories reads the export's memories_history.json and writes the correct capture date (EXIF DateTimeOriginal) and GPS back into each file — including the QuickTime location atom Apple Photos needs for videos — merges Snapchat overlays, and returns a ready-to-import zip.
How long do I have?: The deletion date is September 1, 2026. Request your export from Snapchat early — large libraries can take Snapchat a day or more to prepare, and you want time to fix the metadata before you import.