Google could soon make it harder to get the full 15GB of free Gmail storage. Reports suggest that Google is now capping some new accounts at just 5GB unless users add a phone number.
The change hasn’t been officially rolled out across the board yet, but Google has confirmed it’s currently testing the policy in “select regions.” According to the company, the move is designed to improve account security and recovery. However, it’s already raising concerns among users who see it as another push toward handing over more personal data.
The test first surfaced after Reddit users noticed newly created Gmail accounts only came with 5GB of storage instead of the usual 15GB shared across Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos. A screenshot posted online showed Google restoring the remaining 10GB once users linked a phone number to the account.
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In a statement to Android Authority, Google confirmed the experiment is real. “We’re testing a new storage policy for new accounts created in select regions that will help us continue to provide a high quality storage service to our users, while encouraging users to improve their account security and data recovery,” the company said.
That explanation hasn’t stopped criticism online. Some Reddit users argued the change feels like another way for Google to collect more user information, while others suggested it could help reduce spam accounts and automated signups.
What makes the situation slightly confusing is that the restriction doesn’t appear to apply consistently. Some users report that the system forces them to add a phone number before they can finish creating an account. Meanwhile, others can still sign up without one and retain the full 15GB allowance. For now, the change does not appear to affect existing accounts.
At the time of writing, Google’s official support pages still state that every Google account includes 15GB of free storage. This suggests the change is still very much a limited test rather than a confirmed permanent change.
Still, if Google eventually expands the policy globally, it could mark the end of one of Gmail’s most user-friendly perks. This is especially true for people who prefer to keep their accounts detached from a phone number.
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