● Covered by 3 sources · 7 reportsMedium impact2 neutral
Google Updates Android Backup Policy to Include All Data Types in Storage Limit
Key points
- Google updates Android backup storage policy effective July 7.
- SMS, call history, settings now count towards Google Account storage.
- Average backup size increase estimated at 40 MB.
- Users gain new backup controls for SMS, MMS, and more.
- Existing users transition to new policy takes 45 days.
New Changes to Google’s Storage Policy
Starting July 7, Google has updated its policy on Android backups to include more data types such as SMS messages, call history, and device settings in the Google Account storage calculations. This transition reflects earlier approaches where only media data through Google Photos or MMS counted toward the storage limit.
Impacted Storage and User Controls
The change is expected to increase the average backup size by about 40 MB, a relatively minimal impact on storage usage. However, Google has introduced new user controls allowing individuals to manage their backup preferences, including toggles for SMS, MMS, and RCS message backups as well as device settings.
These controls are intended to provide transparency and flexibility for managing backup data across Android devices.
Implications for Android Users
Current Android users will gradually experience this transition over the coming months, with existing users seeing the change take effect over 45 days. To help navigate this adjustment, Google has provided information via emails and updates to support documentation. Users can also opt to enhance their storage capacity by subscribing to Google One plans if needed.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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Primary sources
GitHub uuidjs/uuidHow outlets covered it
Users can save Google storage space by adjusting Android settings to prevent duplicate backups of media files from apps like WhatsApp, which often get backed up by both the app itself and Google Photos. This issue arises because Google Photos backs up all device folders by default, potentially duplicating content already backed up by other applications to Google Drive, consuming unnecessary storage against the 15GB free tier.
Google has rolled out a new "Documents" backup feature for Android, allowing users to automatically upload local files and downloads to Google Drive. This provides cloud access to device-saved documents, counting against Google Account storage limits.
Google has updated its storage policy to include Android device settings in the 15GB free account limit. Users will see minimal increase in usage, but can optimize backups or purchase Google One plans for additional storage.
Google is updating its Android backup policy to have all data types count toward Google Account storage, including SMS messages, call history, and device settings. This change, effective in 45 days for existing users, provides new settings for backup controls and is expected to increase average backup size by 40 MB.
Google is rolling out new backup settings on Android that allow users to manage SMS, MMS, and RCS message backups. Additionally, a local Documents backup feature is being introduced, enabling automatic saving of local documents to Google Drive.
Starting July 7, all backup data from Android devices will count toward Google account storage limits. This shift means that average users may see an additional 40MB of their backup data included in their Google account storage usage, following a trend of policy updates regarding storage practices.
Google will include all data types from Android backups in Google Account storage, starting July 7. This change allows SMS messages, call history, and device settings to count towards the 15 GB free limit or additional storage users purchase, but is expected to increase average backup size minimally by 40 MB.