Google has quietly begun testing a new policy that limits the amount of free storage offered to new Gmail and Google accounts in certain regions. Instead of the standard 15GB of free storage that has been available for years, some users are now seeing only 5GB when they first create an account. That is just one-third of the typical allotment, and it has sparked confusion and concern among those affected.

Fortunately, there is a way to restore the full 15GB. The company is prompting new users to link a phone number to their account, which unlocks an additional 10GB of free storage. According to a statement from a Google spokesperson, this change is being tested to help maintain a high-quality storage service while encouraging users to improve their account security and data recovery options. The spokesperson did not specify which regions are part of the test or how long it will last.

Notably, the Google One Help page about account storage has been updated to include the word "up to" — reading "up to 15 GB of storage" — instead of the previous definitive statement that accounts come with 15GB. This subtle shift suggests that the lower storage tier may be here to stay, at least for new accounts in select locations. Existing accounts do not appear to be affected by the test.

Reddit users, particularly in the subreddit r/DeGoogle, have shared screenshots showing the pop-up that appears during new account creation. The pop-up asks users to add a phone number to receive the additional 10GB, with Google apparently using phone numbers to ensure that the full 15GB is only redeemed once per person. Of course, this can be circumvented by using burner phone numbers, but it adds a friction point that may deter casual abuse.

The History of Gmail Storage

When Gmail first launched in 2004, it revolutionized email by offering 1GB of free storage — an amount that seemed generous at the time when competitors like Yahoo Mail and Hotmail provided only a few megabytes. Over the years, Google steadily increased storage: to 2GB, then 5GB, 7GB, and eventually 15GB in 2013. That 15GB became the standard across all Google services, shared between Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos.

Since then, the storage landscape has changed dramatically. Users now store not only emails but also photos, documents, videos, and backups. The 15GB limit has remained frozen for over a decade, while the amount of data people generate has exploded. Google’s answer has been to promote its paid Google One subscription plans, which start at 100GB for $1.99 per month. By reducing the free tier for new accounts, Google may be pushing more users toward these paid plans or at least encouraging them to engage more deeply with the ecosystem.

Why Is Google Doing This?

Google’s stated reason — improving account security and data recovery — is plausible. When users link a phone number, it becomes a vital tool for password resets and two-factor authentication (2FA). However, the reduction in free storage also serves business objectives. The company faces massive costs for data center infrastructure. Every gigabyte of free storage is a direct expense, and with billions of Google accounts, even small per-user reductions can lead to significant savings.

Additionally, Google has been cracking down on account abuse. Multiple free accounts used for storage hoarding or spam creation have long been a problem. Requiring a phone number for full storage could help limit the number of disposable accounts while also improving anti-abuse measures. This mirrors what other tech companies have done: for example, Microsoft requires a phone number for creating new Outlook accounts, and Apple ties iCloud storage to Apple ID verification.

How Does This Affect Users?

If you are in a region where the test is active, creating a new Google account will show only 5GB initially. The missing 10GB can be unlocked by following a simple on-screen prompt that asks for your phone number. For users concerned about privacy, this may feel intrusive. However, Google assures that the number is used primarily for recovery and security purposes. Users can also add a phone number later via their Google Account settings.

It is important to note that this test applies only to brand-new accounts. If you already have a Google account with 15GB of storage, you will not lose it — at least for now. The test does not appear to retroactively affect existing users. But it sets a precedent: future users may face ongoing restrictions unless they meet certain verification criteria.

How to Link Your Google Account with a Phone Number (Full 15GB)

If you are setting up a new account in an affected region, you will likely see a pop-up asking if you want to add a phone number to unlock the extra 10GB. Simply follow the steps on that pop-up. But what if you want to link a phone number to an existing Google account? Whether you are a new user who missed the pop-up or an existing user looking to strengthen security, here is how to do it.

On a Desktop Computer

1. Open your web browser and go to myaccount.google.com. Sign in if you haven't already.
2. In the left-hand navigation panel, click on "Security and sign in" (also called "Security" on some interfaces). This opens a list of security-related options.
3. Find the section labeled "Use your phone to sign in" and click "Set it up". (If you do not see this option, you may need to scroll down or click on "Show all security options".)
4. Next, under the "Recovery phone" option, click "Add recovery phone" and enter your phone number. Google will send a verification code via text message or call.
5. Enter the code and follow any additional prompts to finish linking your phone number to your account.

Once your phone number is linked, your storage should automatically increase to 15GB if it was previously capped. If the increase does not happen immediately, try signing out and back in, or wait a few minutes for the system to update.

On a Mobile Device (Android, iPhone, or iPad)

1. Open your mobile browser and go to myaccount.google.com. Sign in if needed.
2. Tap on the menu icon (three lines) in the top-left corner, then select "Personal info".
3. Scroll down to the "Contact info" section and tap "Phone".
4. Tap "Add recovery phone" (or "Edit" if you already have a number listed). Enter your phone number and verify it.
5. Follow the on-screen verification steps. You may receive a text message or call with a code. Enter the code to confirm.

After verification, your phone number is connected, and the full 15GB storage should become available. If you already have a recovery number set, the setup may appear slightly different, but the process is essentially the same.

What About Users Who Do Not Want to Provide a Phone Number?

For those who are privacy-conscious, the requirement to add a phone number may be a dealbreaker. In that case, you can still create a new Google account, but you will be stuck with only 5GB of storage. That might be sufficient for light email use, but it becomes limiting quickly if you plan to use Google Drive or Google Photos. Alternatives include using a different email provider that offers more generous free tiers, or signing up for a Google One subscription to get more storage without linking a phone number (though Google One accounts also generally require some form of verification).

Workarounds and Considerations

Some users have found that they can bypass the phone requirement by using a virtual phone number service or a prepaid burner number. However, Google actively filters out many virtual numbers, and using a burner might violate Google's Terms of Service. Moreover, linking a burner number defeats the security purpose and could lead to account lockouts if you later lose access to that number. For most users, using their real phone number is the simplest and safest option.

Another approach is to create a new account from a region not affected by the test, but this may require a VPN and could also violate Google's policies. The company is known to detect and block such attempts, and it may ask for additional verification that is difficult to provide without local knowledge.

It is also worth noting that the 15GB is shared among Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos. Once you reach the limit, you cannot send or receive emails in Gmail and must either free up space or upgrade to a paid plan. Therefore, even the full 15GB can fill up quickly if you rely on Google services heavily.

The Bigger Picture: Google's Storage Strategy

This test fits into a broader pattern of Google tightening the screws on free services. The company has already ended free high-quality photo backups in Google Photos and reduced the amount of storage offered to new users of other products like Google Workspace (formerly G Suite). The rationale is clear: as the user base grows, providing unlimited or generous free storage becomes economically unsustainable. By nudging users toward paid subscriptions or at least higher engagement (through phone numbers), Google ensures its core advertising business remains profitable while also creating a more secure user environment.

Competitors are watching closely. Microsoft offers 15GB of free Outlook storage plus additional storage for OneDrive. Apple’s iCloud starts at 5GB for free but requires an Apple device. ProtonMail offers 500MB free. None of these are as generous as the old Google 15GB, but they have different models. If Google's test succeeds, it may roll out universally, fundamentally changing the value proposition of a free Google account.

Source: SlashGear News