Google floats reduced initial 5GB free cloud storage limit, users claim — 15GB to require extra security measures, company confirms it is 'testing a new storage policy for new accounts'

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New accounts in select regions are reportedly being limited to 5GB by default.

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(Image credit: Getty / NurPhoto)

Google is reportedly testing a new storage policy that restricts new users to an initial 5GB of free cloud storage rather than its previous 15GB allowance. The change was first spotted by a Reddit user who was notified while setting up a new Google account that they would only get 5GB of free storage. The notice also mentioned that once the user linked and verified a phone number with their account, they would gain access to the full 15GB. Interestingly, Google’s support page does not mention this change and states that new accounts receive up to 15GB of free storage.

Google is yet to make a public announcement regarding the change in free cloud storage, however, it has given an official statement to Android Authority. As per a Google spokesperson, “We’re testing a new storage policy for new accounts created in select regions that will help us continue to provide a high-quality storage service to our users, while encouraging users to improve their account security and data recovery.”

Gmail now gives 5gb free if you sign up without phone number from r/degoogle
— Gmail now gives 5gb free if you sign up without phone number

A crucial point to consider is that the test is limited to select regions. This may imply that the company is experimenting in certain markets where fake accounts and spam abuse are particularly high before deciding and rolling out the new storage policy globally. In all fairness, the phone number verification requirement does make sense, as it can help Google reduce fake or disposable accounts.

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By requiring a verified phone number, users can be restricted from creating multiple free accounts for extra storage or potentially using them for malicious activities. Since verified accounts are tied to a recovery method, it also improves account security and recovery, which Google mentions in its official explanation.

Another possible reason for this change could simply be a tactic by Google to push more users into paying for cloud storage plans under Google One. While 15GB has remained unchanged for years, almost every smartphone user has far more photos, videos, and backups than they did a few years ago. Initially offering new users just 5GB of storage could make limitations much more noticeable, potentially encouraging more people to subscribe to paid plans for additional cloud space.

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Kunal Khullar
Kunal Khullar
News Contributor

Kunal Khullar is a contributing writer at Tom’s Hardware.  He is a long time technology journalist and reviewer specializing in PC components and peripherals, and welcomes any and every question around building a PC.

15 Comments Comment from the forums
  • bolweval
    Same thing MS did a few years ago, just like a drug dealer, first you give it to them and then you start charging them after they're hooked/invested in your product!
    Reply
  • USAFRet
    bolweval said:
    Same thing MS did a few years ago, just like a drug dealer, first you give it to them and then you start charging them after they're hooked/invested in your product!
    Or, after actual usage investigation, they discovered that most people weren't using anything near that 15GB.

    Why provision that space if people will never ever use it?
    Reply
  • nctnl
    USAFRet said:
    Or, after actual usage investigation, they discovered that most people weren't using anything near that 15GB.

    Why provision that space if people will never ever use it?

    They scale resources ad-hoc, it's not provisioned up front.

    I agree with bolweval. It's a business after all.
    Reply
  • DiegoSynth
    USAFRet said:
    Or, after actual usage investigation, they discovered that most people weren't using anything near that 15GB.

    Why provision that space if people will never ever use it?
    No, both Google and Microsoft initially provided certain amount of storage, which later on was reduced and shared across the different applications (mail, drive, calendar, etc.)
    For someone who opened these accounts about 20 years ago, nowadays it's not only insufficient, but they already start screaming as soon as you are over a 70% of occupied space.
    They just want to force u to buy more.
    Reply
  • USAFRet
    "restricts new users to an initial 5GB"

    So far, it does not restrict or reduce existing accounts.

    I take a LOT of photos. 15GB would barely cover Jan-Feb this year.
    None stored in the google or MS cloud.

    But, a business is allowed to change their policies. A user can agree and continue, or go elsewhere.
    One of the many reasons I don't use cloud storage for backups.
    Reply
  • Kindaian
    Don't forget that the constant 20 emails per day you get stating that your storage is going to be deleted and you need to act now!
    Reply
  • DiegoSynth
    USAFRet said:
    "restricts new users to an initial 5GB"

    So far, it does not restrict or reduce existing accounts.

    I take a LOT of photos. 15GB would barely cover Jan-Feb this year.
    None stored in the google or MS cloud.

    But, a business is allowed to change their policies. A user can agree and continue, or go elsewhere.
    One of the many reasons I don't use cloud storage for backups.
    Yes, I totally agree.
    Unfortunately they also take space from automatic phone backups and other things which may not seem obvious to every user. But not completely relying on these services is probably the best approach, as "easy comes, easy goes".
    Reply
  • Stomx
    Google which did not invent anything but all was copicatted from others and just further improved over natural process of usage, slowly transforming into evil.

    Free 15GB was set a quarter century ago. Today these 15GB as well as internet traffic cost 100x less to maintain.
    Reply
  • davidjkay
    I don't think its security
    Stomx said:
    Google which did not invent anything but all was copicatted from others and just further improved over natural process of usage, slowly transforming into evil.

    Free 15GB was set a quarter century ago. Today these 15GB as well as internet traffic cost 100x less to maintain.
    Long ago it was losing money to grab market share like ai race today.

    Not it is ever increasing number of bots that might set up fake "human" accounts, freeload on google to get free online storage space and not be worth anything as far as advertising revenue
    Reply
  • davidjkay
    davidjkay said:
    I don't think its security

    Long ago it was losing money to grab market share like ai race today.

    Not it is ever increasing number of bots that might set up fake "human" accounts, freeload on google to get free online storage space and not be worth anything as far as advertising revenue
    And everyone is looking to cut costs on legacy stuff to reduce bleeding trying to become the dominant company in ai, like Amazon won to your door shipping and google won search
    Reply