No, Google is not ending its 15GB of free Gmail storage policy it's testing
a 5GB initial limit that jumps to the full amount if you add a phone number

Date:
Sat, 16 May 2026 13:30:00 +0000

Description:
Google's account creation process already asks for a phone number in some cases, and now there's a sweetener.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Google is changing its storage policy for new Gmail accounts New accounts in some regions will only get 5GB of free storage space Adding a phone number will unlock the standard 15GB of room For many years, Google has given users 15GB of free cloud storage space when they sign up for Gmail (which is actually shared across Gmail, Google Photos , and Google Drive) but a change to that policy is now being
trialled.

Google has confirmed to Android Authority that it is "testing" a new approach in "select regions" where new users only get 5GB initially. That then goes up to the full 15GB once the account owner adds a phone number to their details. This is only for new accounts, only in certain parts of the world, and only a test (for now) if you've already got a Google account, nothing is going to happen to your 15GB of free storage for Gmail and Google's other services. Latest Videos From You may like Google increases AI Pro plan storage from 2TB to 5TB at no extra cost Google rolls out Gmail username change feature for US users The best free cloud storage 2026

The move 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" says Google. It sounds as though Google wants to be better able to verify identities behind accounts, while also collecting more data on its users, of course. Paying with your privacy Gmail now gives 5gb free if you sign up without phone number from r/degoogle Officially, Google doesn't require a phone number when you create a new account, though if you search
the web you'll find it does sometimes insist on a number being registered. It's not clear why exactly, but the requirement may kick in if Google's systems suspect some kind of fraudulent or spam activity.

The new approach means adding a phone number isn't compulsory but you'll
only get a third of the free storage if you do. The change was originally reported by PiunikaWeb based on a Reddit thread from a user who hit the limitation.

Reactions on that thread are about as negative as you might expect: one commenter suggests Google has moved to "the 'bribery for your data' stage", while another says that "you're paying for your privacy" if you sign up with Gmail. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

This comes against the backdrop of a wider age verification crackdown in
tech, with an increasing number of apps and websites asking users to confirm they are who they say they are, ostensibly to boost user security and safely silo off adult content. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. The best laptops for all budgets Our top picks, based on real-world testing and comparisons

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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/computing/websites-apps/no-google-is-not-ending-its- 15gb-of-free-gmail-storage-policy-its-testing-a-5gb-initial-limit-that-jumps-t o-the-full-amount-if-you-add-a-phone-number


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