For years, creating a new Google account came with 15GB of free cloud storage. Users could use this storage across Gmail, Google Photos,
and Google Drive without paying anything. However, Google has now quietly changed this system.
Many new users are now getting only 5GB of free storage instead of the usual 15GB. This change is surprising users because Google did not officially announce it on its blog or social media platforms.
Phone Number Needed to Unlock 15GB Storage
According to reports, users creating a new Google account now see a pop-up during sign-up. The message says the account includes only 5GB of storage by default.
To get the full 15GB of free storage, users now need to add their mobile phone number to the account. Google reportedly introduced this change in March, but many users are only discovering it now while creating a new account.
The company has confirmed that this new system is currently being tested in selected regions. Because of this, some users may still receive 15GB storage without linking a phone number.
Why Google Reduced Free Storage
Reports suggest Google wants to stop people from repeatedly creating new accounts just to get extra free cloud storage.
By linking the storage benefit to a phone number, the company can limit users from claiming 15GB multiple times through different accounts. This could help Google manage storage usage more efficiently.
Although the change has not been rolled out everywhere, it signals a major shift in how Google may offer free storage in the future.
Easy Ways to Free Up Gmail Storage
If your Gmail storage is running low, there are a few simple ways to clear space without paying for extra storage.
Empty the Trash and Spam folders regularly
Delete emails with large attachments
Remove old newsletters and promotional emails
Clear unnecessary files from Google Drive
Delete unwanted photos and videos from Google Photos
These steps can help you save storage and continue using your free Google account without upgrading to a paid plan.
