The hammer has fallen! Google no longer gives some users 15 GB of free space unless they provide a phone number

Fifteen gigabytes of free storage shared across Gmail, Drive, and Photos has been one of the main attractions of a Google account for many years, compared to much of the competition. However, it now appears that this generosity is no longer a given. Some newly registered users are finding that instead of the usual 15 GB, they only have 5 GB available – and they will only unlock the full capacity by adding a phone number. The change was first reported by 9to5Google, and Google subsequently officially confirmed it.

5 GB as default, phone unlocks full capacity

When creating a new account, Google displays a prompt to some users informing them of only 5 GB of free storage for Gmail, Drive, and Photos. Alongside this option, it offers the variant “Unlock 15 GB storage at no cost by using your phone number,” meaning unlocking the standard capacity via a phone number. The company adds that this step is to ensure that each user receives the full storage only once.

9to5Google also noticed that Google had updated the text on its support pages. The original wording “Your Google account includes 15 GB of free cloud storage” became “up to 15 GB of free cloud storage.” This change can be traced back to March 18 of this year via the Internet Archive service.

Google: It’s a test, motivates for higher security

Responding to an inquiry from Android Authority, the company confirmed that this move is a test in selected regions. According to Google’s statement, the goal is to motivate new users to add a phone number, which should improve account security and access recovery options. A spokesperson also stated that the step will help maintain the quality of the service provided.

The hammer has fallen! Google no longer gives some users 15 GB of free space unless they provide a phone number Adam Kurfürst News Adam Kurfürst News

Critics in the comments under both articles, however, point out that phone numbers also represent valuable marketing information. As another possible reason, they cite the rising costs of storage media, which have plagued the entire technology sector recently.

What this means in practice

For most newly registered users, this will be more of a symbolic change. Google practically always requires a phone number when creating an account on both desktop and mobile, and you cannot complete registration without it. You can realistically do without a phone only in specific cases – for example, when creating an account during the first boot of an Android phone without an inserted SIM card.

Existing accounts and all those created before the change are not affected by the new policy. It is also not clear in which specific countries Google is conducting the test and whether it will affect Czech users. The official support page for the Czech Republic still states 15 GB of free storage without any conditions.

Would you mind having to share your phone number for full Google storage?

Sources: 9to5Google, Android Authority