Google links free storage to verification

Google is testing a shift in its long-standing free storage policy, limiting some newly created accounts to 5GB by default and unlocking the full 15GB only when users verify a phone number.

The test marks a significant adjustment to one of Google’s most familiar consumer offers. For years, a standard Google account automatically carried 15GB of free cloud storage shared across Gmail, Google Drive and Google Photos. The allocation became a major advantage over rivals such as Apple’s iCloud and Microsoft OneDrive, which start free users at lower limits. Google’s experiment indicates that the company is now assessing whether the full allowance should be tied to stronger account verification rather than handed out automatically to every new sign-up.

The change came to wider attention after users creating new accounts saw prompts saying their accounts included 5GB of storage, with an option to unlock 15GB at no cost by adding a phone number. The prompt said the number would help ensure the extra storage was added only once per person. Google has confirmed that it is testing a new storage policy for new accounts in select regions, saying the move is meant to preserve service quality while encouraging stronger account security and data recovery.

The company has not announced a global rollout, nor has it said which markets are included in the test. Existing accounts do not appear to be affected by the experiment, and the full 15GB remains visible across Google’s public storage pages as the upper limit available to standard account holders. However, the wording on Google’s own help material now says each account includes “up to” 15GB of storage, a subtle but important shift from the earlier understanding that the full quota came automatically with every account.

The practical impact could be large for first-time users, secondary accounts, students, small businesses and people who rely on free Gmail and Drive storage without buying Google One plans. A 5GB cap can fill quickly once Gmail attachments, Drive uploads, phone backups, PDFs, photos and videos begin counting against the same pool. Google’s storage rules already treat Gmail messages and attachments, files in Drive, WhatsApp backups on Android, and many Photos uploads as part of the shared allowance.

Users who hit their storage limit face service restrictions. They may be unable to upload files to Drive, back up photos or videos, create new files in Docs, Sheets or Slides, and could see Gmail sending and receiving affected. Accounts that remain over quota for two years or longer risk content removal after notice and opportunities to free up space or buy additional storage.

Google’s explanation places the policy within the context of account integrity. Phone verification can make it harder for automated systems or serial account creators to generate large numbers of free accounts and combine their storage allowances. It can also improve recovery options when users lose access. That rationale aligns with Google’s broader efforts to reduce abuse across Gmail, Drive and other services that are frequently targeted for spam, phishing, malware hosting and disposable-account activity.

The test also comes at a time when storage economics are shifting. Demand for cloud capacity is growing across consumer backups, artificial intelligence workloads, high-resolution media and enterprise data retention. Free consumer storage, once used aggressively by technology platforms to attract users, has become more costly to sustain as files grow larger and accounts accumulate data over many years. Google ended unlimited free “high quality” Google Photos uploads in 2021, bringing most new photo and video uploads under the same account quota. The latest experiment fits a broader move across the sector towards tighter free tiers and more paid cloud subscriptions.

Google One remains the company’s main paid storage product, offering plans that expand capacity across Gmail, Drive and Photos. The entry paid tier starts at 100GB in many markets, while higher plans include larger storage pools and additional benefits. Any reduction in the automatic free allowance could make those paid tiers more relevant to users who previously managed comfortably within 15GB.