Ever felt a tiny panic when you read that Snapchat will only let you store 5 GB of Memories?
That little update changed everything for long-time users who’ve trusted Snapchat to safeguard years of snaps, from blurry selfies and milestone videos to irreplaceable memories with friends.
But here’s the truth: even if you download your snaps, you could still lose something crucial, the metadata that gives them life. That’s where the mysterious Snapchat Export JSON file comes in.
In this post, we’ll break down what’s inside your Snapchat Export JSON, explain how to read Snapchat JSON easily, and show you how a simple tool like ExportSnaps can help you save your entire Snapchat story, not just the pictures.
Recently, Snapchat announced that each user will only be able to store up to 5 GB of Memories for free. Once you reach that limit, you’ll either have to delete older memories or pay for additional storage.
That means — years of your moments, emotions, and personal growth are now sitting under a space limit. And if you don’t act fast, you could lose some of them forever.
The only safe way to protect them? Export everything — with your metadata intact.
Because when you hit “Download My Data” in Snapchat’s settings, you’re not just saving photos and videos. You’re also getting a hidden file that holds the entire story behind each snap: your captions, timestamps, locations, and more. That file is called the Snapchat Export JSON.
Think of your Snapchat Export JSON as a diary that quietly recorded everything about your snaps; not just what they looked like.
When you request your data from Snapchat, you’ll get a ZIP file. Inside, you’ll find your media (photos and videos) along with a few .json files. These JSON files are structured text files containing all the behind-the-scenes details about your snaps.
Each entry inside that JSON corresponds to a memory, complete with information like:
In short, your Snapchat Export JSON is the digital DNA of your Memories. Without it, your snaps lose their meaning, their context, and their place in your story.
Sure, a photo shows a moment. But metadata tells the story around it.
That 3 AM photo with friends?
The JSON reveals it was taken in 2018 at your old dorm, captioned “one last night.”
Without that metadata, you just have a random picture — no emotion, no timeline, no context.
That’s why saving your metadata is just as important as saving your photos. It’s what transforms an archive into a memory book.
You don’t need to be a programmer to peek inside your Snapchat JSON. Here’s how anyone can do it:
1. Request Your Data:
Go to Snapchat → Settings → My Data → choose JSON format → tap Request Download.
2. Wait for the Email:
Snapchat will send a link once your data is ready. Download the ZIP file and extract it.
3. Locate the JSON File:
Find the file named something like memories_history.json. This is your main metadata file.
4. Open It Safely:
You can open JSON files in tools like jsonviewer.stack.hu or use any code editor (like VS Code or Notepad++).
5. Search for Details:
You’ll see structured text like this:
{
"Date": "2019-08-14T21:43:12Z",
"Media Type": "Image",
"Caption": "First day of college!",
"Location": "New York City, NY"
}
That’s one snap, timestamp, type, caption, and location.
6. Organize and Rename Files (Optional):
If you want, you can use small tools or scripts to rename your files based on JSON data, e.g., “2019-08-14_FirstDayOfCollege.jpg.”
Sounds simple enough, right? But if you’ve got thousands of snaps, this process becomes exhausting.
And that’s where ExportSnaps quietly steps in to save the day.
If you’ve ever wished there was a single tool that could take your exported snaps and automatically organize them with their metadata — your wish is granted.
ExportSnaps is built exactly for this. It reads your Snapchat Export JSON, finds your photos and videos, and renames, sorts, and organizes them beautifully.
Here’s what it does:
In short, ExportSnaps turns raw exported files into an emotional timeline you can browse forever.
No coding. No confusion. Just your memories, perfectly preserved.
If you’ve ever opened your exported snaps and found nameless, contextless images, you know that sinking feeling.
The faces are familiar, but the stories are gone. You don’t remember when, where, or why.
That’s what happens when metadata disappears. And that’s exactly what the Snapchat Export JSON protects, your digital memory lane.
ExportSnaps just makes sure you can actually see and feel that lane again, without tech headaches.
memories_history.json file.It’s like having your personal “Snapchat Memories” gallery, but one that never disappears, never expires, and always belongs to you.
Your Snapchat Memories are more than media — they’re milestones. And when Snapchat limits your space, you have a choice: lose them, or liberate them.
The Snapchat Export JSON file gives you the key to owning your memories forever, complete with every timestamp, caption, and smile intact.
So don’t just back up your photos.
Preserve your story.
Try ExportSnaps today: and give your memories the second life they deserve.
Download your Snapchat data now, upload your JSON to ExportSnaps, and see your memories come alive — beautifully, privately, and forever.
A Snapchat Export JSON file is a data file you receive when you export your Snapchat Memories. It contains all the metadata behind your snaps — including timestamps, captions, locations, and media types — that help you organize and relive your moments even after downloading them.
When Snapchat limits storage to 5 GB, exporting your data ensures nothing gets lost. The Snapchat Export JSON file preserves crucial details like when and where your snaps were taken, keeping your memories organized and searchable offline.
You can easily learn how to read Snapchat JSON by opening it in free online tools such as jsonviewer.stack.hu or any text editor. These tools let you view structured data about your snaps, including dates, captions, and locations, without any technical knowledge.
Yes! The Snapchat Export JSON includes every caption and timestamp linked to your snaps. With tools like ExportSnap, you can automatically restore these details, rename files accurately, and rebuild your Snapchat timeline — all without losing your original context.
Simply download your Snapchat data, extract the files, and upload your memories_history.json (the JSON file) to ExportSnaps along with your photos and videos. ExportSnaps automatically reads your metadata and organizes everything into folders with captions and dates intact.
Absolutely. Once you’ve exported your data and backed it up (with or without tools like ExportSnap), your Snapchat Export JSON ensures your memories — along with all their metadata — are preserved forever. You can store them securely on your computer or any cloud drive.