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An enormous attainable shift to its cloud storage coverage, Google might now provide solely 5GB of free storage to some newly created accounts until customers confirm their account with a telephone quantity.
As per 9to5Google, the corporate, by account creation assessments and Wayback Machine evaluation, alerts a doubtlessly vital change to how Google manages free cloud storage entry in 2026.
The brand new growth might not have an effect on current Google customers, however it might change the onboarding expertise for tens of millions of recent Gmail and Google Drive customers worldwide.
Google’s Free Storage Coverage Seems To Be Altering
For years, Google accounts have include 15GB of free cloud storage shared throughout Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photographs. Nonetheless, current assessments recommend that new accounts in some areas might initially obtain solely 5GB of storage.
The change additionally seems in Google’s official documentation. A assist web page that earlier stated, “Your Google Account comes with 15GB of cloud storage at no cost,” has now been up to date to say customers get “as much as 15GB of cloud storage at no cost.”
That small wording change might have huge implications
In keeping with experiences, Wayback Machine archives hint this wording replace again to round March 18, 2026, indicating that the rollout might have quietly begun months in the past.
How To Nonetheless Get The Full 15GB Google Storage
Google is reportedly permitting customers to unlock the total 15GB free storage restrict by linking a telephone quantity throughout account setup. The corporate reportedly makes as a method to make sure the 15GB storage allocation is granted “solely as soon as per individual.” In different phrases, telephone verification might turn out to be obligatory for customers who need the standard free storage quota.
This implies new customers with out telephone verification might obtain solely 5GB and customers who add a telephone quantity can nonetheless entry 15GB without cost. Nonetheless it must be famous that current Google accounts stay unaffected
The transfer might influence individuals creating secondary Gmail accounts, nameless accounts, or accounts for momentary use.
Google Says The Rollout Is Solely A “Check”
Google confirmed to Engadget that the decreased storage allocation is presently being examined in “choose areas.” Stories recommend the coverage is most lively in African markets akin to Kenya and Nigeria.
On the similar time, some Reddit customers declare they’re nonetheless receiving 15GB with out telephone verification, suggesting the rollout is both restricted, experimental, or region-specific for now.
Meaning customers in nations like India, the USA, and Europe might not instantly see the change.
The brand new coverage presently applies solely to newly created accounts below the continued take a look at rollout. Customers who have already got 15GB free storage are anticipated to retain it.
As of now, Google has not confirmed whether or not the 5GB restrict will increase globally or turn out to be everlasting.
