Your free Google account is about to feel a little smaller. The company confirmed that all Android backup data will soon count against your storage limit, a change that takes effect today for new users. Existing users will see the policy roll out in the coming months.
Why Your Backup Just Got 'Bigger'
While Google downplays the impact, a spokesperson told Engadget, "We've updated our policy so that all Android backup data now counts toward Google Account storage. We expect this to only add 40MB on average."
Taking Back Control
To soften the blow, Google is giving you more granular control over what gets backed up. You can find these settings in your device's backup menu to trim the fat from your cloud saves.
Users can choose to exclude:
- Device settings
- Call history
- SMS and MMS messages
- Data from individual apps
This is just the latest squeeze on Google's free storage. Back in May, the company began testing a reduced 5GB default storage limit for new accounts, a sharp drop from the standard 15GB unless a phone number is linked.
As more of our digital lives move to the cloud, the question of who pays for that space—and how much—is becoming central. For many users, the answer may soon involve a monthly subscription.