Observed Signal · Jul 7, 2026 · Policy Update · Source: t3n · Impact: 4/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
Google counts Android backups toward account storage
Google will begin charging Android device backups against users' Google account storage as of 2026-07-07 for new backup users, with existing accounts to be included in the coming months. Affected backup types include call history, device settings, app data and SMS (photos and videos were already counted). Google estimates the additional backup data will average around 40 MB, but actual usage depends on each device's stored content. To offset the change, Google is rolling out new toggles that let users exclude specific backup items or individual apps from backups. Users who need more space can upgrade to Google One, with plans starting at €2/month for 100 GB up to €220/month for 30 TB; higher tiers include additional AI features.
Policy update from a major platform (Google) that changes how user data is accounted and may drive upgrades to paid storage; affects user data controls and has platform-level implications for data availability and privacy.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- From 2026-07-07 Google will count Android backups against a user's Google account storage quota for new backup users; existing accounts will be migrated in the coming months.
- Backup data types that will be charged to account storage include call history, device settings, app data and SMS; photos and videos from Google Photos were already counted.
- Google states the additional backup data will average about 40 megabytes, though actual usage varies by device.
- Google provides 15 GB of free account storage; Google One paid plans start at €2/month for 100 GB and go up to €220/month for 30 TB, with higher tiers offering additional AI features.
- Google will introduce new toggles allowing users to exclude specific backup components and individual apps (e.g., WhatsApp) from cloud backups.
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Related Market Signals & Shifts
Recent verified developments and strategic activity across this market segment.
Google Will Count Android Device Backups Against Storage
Google has updated its support guidance: system backups from Android devices will now count against a user's Google account storage quota. The change means SMS/MMS, call logs, device settings and app data included in device backups are subject to the account's available storage (15 GB free by default). Android settings will provide controls to select which device data to back up; Pixel devices already offer this control. Google lists which file types are and are not counted on its support pages. The article notes that users who need more space can subscribe to Google One (100 GB plans start at €2/month) and compares Google’s free 15 GB to Apple iCloud’s 5 GB free tier (iCloud+ 50 GB for €1/month).
Google allows excluding individual Android apps from backups
Google is rolling out a new Android backup feature that lets users exclude individual apps from cloud backups. The capability is being distributed via Google Play services version 26.25 (from June 29) and is currently in beta; it is not limited to Pixel devices or the newest Android version. The per-app controls appear under Settings → Google services and settings → Manage backup → Other device data → Device data → App data, where users can toggle exclusion for specific apps; the system warns that excluded app data will be deleted from the user’s Google account and will no longer be backed up from that device. Core data types such as SMS/MMS, call logs and device settings remain always backed up. Google previously added automatic saving of downloaded documents to Google Drive in Play services version 26.06.
Google Tests 5GB Default Storage; 15GB Needs Phone
Reports indicate Google is testing a change to the free cloud storage allocation for new accounts: newly created Google accounts may receive only 5 GB by default, with the full 15 GB unlocked only after a phone number is added for verification. The change is reflected in an updated Google support page that now says users receive “up to 15 GB” rather than a flat 15 GB. A Reddit user and coverage on AndroidCentral surfaced the test; Google says the phone number is used to ensure the bonus storage is granted only once per person. Observers note the move could aim to curb bot/misuse or nudge users toward paid storage plans. The article was published by t3n on 2026-05-15.
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