Google may no longer give 15GB free storage to everyone: Here is the catch
Follow UsSome newly created Google accounts are reportedly being limited to 5GB storage unless users add a phone number.
The change is said to be aimed at reducing spam accounts and enforcing a stricter one-user, one-account policy.
Existing users are unlikely to be affected immediately, but new users may need phone verification for full free storage access.
Google may be testing a big change to its long-standing free storage policy for new accounts. As per the reports based on screenshots shared by users on Reddit, some newly created Google accounts are now being offered only 5GB of free cloud storage by default unless the user links a phone number to the account.
SurveyAs per a 9to5Google report, the prompt reportedly appears during the setup process for new Gmail accounts. The users are allegedly given two options: continue with 5GB of storage or unlock the full 15GB quota by verifying the account with a phone number.
The reported notification states that adding a phone number enables access to 15GB of storage across services like Google Photos, Google Drive, and Gmail at no additional cost. Google also reportedly mentions that the phone number is being used to ensure the storage benefit is granted only once per individual.
Why Google may be making this change
It seems that Google wants to reduce fake accounts, spam registrations, and automated bot signups. By tying the higher storage limit to a verified phone number, the company may be trying to enforce a stricter one-user, one-account policy for free storage benefits.
The report also claims that Google has quietly updated wording on its supported documentation. Previous versions of the page mentioned that every Google account comes with 15GB of storage. However, archived versions of the page now allegedly say users can get “up to 15GB” of free cloud storage instead.
What it means for users
If you are an existing user, there does not appear to be any immediate impact. The accounts that already have 15GB of free storage are said to continue working as before. But the people who are creating new accounts may eventually need to provide a phone number if they want the complete 15GB storage allocation instead of the 5GB limit. Google has not officially announced a wider rollout or confirmed whether the change is being tested globally.
