Google Reduces Free Storage for Unverified New Accounts
Google is reportedly testing a policy that reduces free cloud storage for new accounts from 15GB to 5GB unless users verify their identity with a phone number. This change, identified through updated support documentation, aims to combat spam and align with industry standards like Apple’s iCloud. Existing users remain unaffected, retaining their full 15GB allowance. While not officially announced, the move signals a shift toward tying service benefits to personal data verification, potentially impacting privacy-conscious users and driving adoption of paid Google One subscriptions.
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Google Reduces Default Free Cloud Storage for New Accounts to 5GB
Google appears to be implementing a reduction in free cloud storage for new user accounts, lowering the default allocation from 15GB to 5GB in many regions. Reports indicate that new sign-ups now initially receive only 5GB of space. However, users can unlock the full 15GB allowance at no cost by adding and verifying a phone number during the registration process. This move is interpreted as a strategy to mitigate costs associated with mass account creation or to incentivize users to provide personal contact information. Notably, existing accounts remain unaffected and continue to offer the standard 15GB. Google has not issued an official public statement regarding this change, suggesting it may currently be a limited test. Evidence of the shift includes updates to Google's official documentation, which now states accounts come with "up to 15GB" rather than a guaranteed 15GB. This adjustment brings Google's free tier closer to Apple's iCloud, which has long offered only 5GB of free storage. Users unwilling to link a phone number must accept the 5GB limit or subscribe to a paid Google One plan for additional space.
ExtremeTechGoogle Reduces Default Free Cloud Storage for New Accounts to 5GB
Google appears to be implementing a reduction in free cloud storage for new user accounts, lowering the default allocation from 15GB to 5GB in many regions. Reports indicate that new sign-ups now initially receive only 5GB of storage, with the full 15GB available only after users add and verify a phone number. This change aligns Google’s free tier more closely with Apple’s iCloud, which has long offered 5GB for free. While existing accounts remain unaffected at 15GB, Google has not issued an official public statement regarding this shift, suggesting it may currently be a test phase. However, evidence supports the change, including updates to Google’s official documentation which now states users receive "up to 15GB" rather than a guaranteed 15GB. Analysts speculate the move aims to reduce costs associated with mass account creation or to incentivize users to provide personal contact information. Users unwilling to link a phone number must accept the 5GB limit or subscribe to a paid Google One plan for additional space.
ExtremeTechGoogle Quietly Cuts Free Storage to 5GB for Unverified New Accounts
Google has silently implemented a policy change reducing the free cloud storage allocation for new user accounts from 15 GB to 5 GB if a phone number is not provided during registration. This adjustment affects Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos services. While existing users remain unaffected, new sign-ups must verify their identity via a mobile number to access the full 15 GB tier. Reports indicate that users can initially register without a phone number and add it later to upgrade their storage capacity. The change was identified through updates to Google's support documentation, which now states accounts come with "up to" 15 GB, rather than a guaranteed amount. This move appears aimed at reducing anonymous account creation and encouraging either phone verification or subscription to paid Google One plans, which start at $19.99 annually for 100 GB. No official announcement was made by Google, but evidence from the Internet Archive confirms the support page language was altered in March 2026.
PCWorldGoogle Tests Reducing Free Storage to 5GB for New Users Without Phone Numbers
Google is currently testing a new storage policy for new user accounts in select regions, which reduces the standard free storage allocation from 15 GB to 5 GB unless the user provides a telephone number. The initiative, described by a Google spokesperson as a measure to enhance account security and data recovery, appears aimed at curbing the creation of multiple accounts for excessive storage use. While not all new users are affected, those who decline to share their phone numbers face the reduced limit. This move aligns Google’s free tier more closely with competitors like Apple, which offers 5 GB of free iCloud storage, though it remains more generous than Proton Mail’s 1 GB offering. The development has sparked discussion among privacy advocates and users, with some viewing it as an intrusive demand for personal data in exchange for basic services. Existing users are not impacted by this trial. If implemented broadly, this change could signal a broader industry trend where tech vendors increasingly require personal information to maintain access to free digital services, potentially driving privacy-conscious users toward alternative email providers.
www.theregister.com - ArticlesGoogle May Reduce Free Gmail Storage to 5GB for New Accounts Without Phone Verification
Google is reportedly considering a reduction in free cloud storage for new user accounts, potentially lowering the standard 15GB allowance to just 5GB. According to recent reports and user observations, this reduced limit applies specifically to users who do not link a phone number during the account creation process. Users who verify their identity by connecting a mobile number can still access the full 15GB of free storage, which is shared across Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos. This shift appears to be an anti-abuse measure, ensuring that the generous storage bonus is limited to one per person. Evidence of this change includes updates to Google's official support pages, which now describe the free tier as offering "up to 15GB" rather than a flat 15GB for every account. While Google has historically been more generous than competitors like Apple, which offers only 5GB for free, this move aligns its baseline offering with industry standards for unverified accounts. The change highlights a growing trend among tech giants to tie service benefits to identity verification to combat spam and fake accounts.
Latest from Android CentralGoogle Limits Free Storage to 5GB Unless Phone Number Is Linked
Google has implemented a significant change to its free cloud storage policy, effectively reducing the standard 15GB allowance to just 5GB for new accounts that are not verified with a phone number. Previously, all Google accounts automatically received 15GB of shared storage across Gmail, Drive, and Photos. Under the new rules, users must link a phone number during setup to unlock the full 15GB at no cost. Google states this measure ensures storage is allocated only once per person, aiming to curb abuse by bots and users creating multiple accounts. Evidence of this shift was found in updated support documentation changing language from '15 GB' to 'up to 15 GB,' with archives confirming the update occurred in March 2026. While phone verification is often mandatory during account creation, exceptions exist, such as setting up Android devices without SIM cards. The move reflects broader industry trends addressing rising hardware costs and storage scarcity. Although some users have expressed backlash on social media platforms like Reddit, the policy appears firmly in place to mitigate infinite storage exploitation while maintaining a free tier for verified human users.
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