Google is set to revise its policy on Android device backups by including them in the free cloud storage quota associated with every Google Account. Presently, these backups, which encompass SMS messages, call logs, device settings, and app data, do not consume any portion of the 15GB of free storage available across Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos. However, the upcoming changes will see these backups counted towards the overall storage limit.
This policy update is anticipated to be implemented in the coming weeks. According to Google, the typical Android backup is expected to increase storage usage by approximately 40MB. Consequently, users nearing or exceeding their storage capacity may need to consider clearing space or opting for a Google One subscription to accommodate their backups. If an account exhausts its available storage, automatic device backups will be paused until more space is freed up or acquired.
In addition to adjusting how backups are stored, Google is reportedly working on enhancing backup controls. These new controls will provide users with the option to select specific apps and data types for backup, offering more flexibility and potentially reducing the size of the backups. This development is expected to grant users greater control over their cloud storage management.
