MOUNTAIN VIEW: Google has announced a significant change to its cloud storage policy, ending a long-standing practice under which most Android device backups did not count toward users’ Google account storage limits.
The company has begun notifying users by email that Android device backups will soon count against their available Google storage, giving affected users 45 days’ notice before the new policy takes effect.
Android Backups to Count Toward Storage
Until now, Google account storage has primarily been shared among:
- Google Photos
- Google Drive
- Gmail
Under the updated policy, Android device backups will also consume space from a user’s Google account storage allocation.
The change means that backup data such as:
- System settings
- App data
- SMS messages
- Call history
will count toward the storage limit available in each Google account.
Users Given 45-Day Notice
Google said it is informing users in advance so they have enough time to manage their storage or adjust their backup settings before the policy comes into effect.
The company said the notice is intended to help users decide whether to delete unnecessary files, modify backup preferences, or upgrade to a larger storage plan.
Users May Need More Storage
Google warned that if Android backups cause an account to exceed its storage limit, users will need to either:
- Free up space by deleting existing files and backups, or
- Subscribe to a paid Google storage plan for additional capacity.
The company noted that users will have greater control over which apps and data are included in their backups.
Average Backup Expected to Be Small
A Google spokesperson previously said the average Android backup is expected to use around 40 MB of storage, although actual usage may vary depending on the amount of data stored on individual devices.
Google also said it plans to provide users with more options to choose which information they want to back up.
Part of Broader Storage Changes
The update is the latest in a series of changes to Google’s storage policies.
Earlier, in May 2026, the company began testing a reduction in free cloud storage for newly created Google accounts, lowering the allocation from 15 GB to 5 GB for selected users.
The latest policy reflects Google’s ongoing efforts to streamline its cloud storage services while encouraging users with larger storage needs to move to paid subscription plans.
About The Author
