Google Is Testing 5GB Storage for New Gmail Accounts

Google has quietly started testing a reduced free storage limit for new Gmail accounts. Instead of the 15GB that users have received for years, some newly created accounts are only getting 5GB. Here is a full breakdown of what is happening, why Google is doing it, and whether your existing account is at risk.

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Several users have found an anomaly in their Gmail accounts shortly after registering a new one. Instead of the 15GB of free space that has been provided by Google for many years, they had 5GB of free cloud storage space. This was not an error. Google has just confirmed that it is conducting a storage trial on new user accounts in certain regions.

Gmail users who have 15GB storage are safe from the changes, at least at this moment. The alteration is currently affecting only new user registrations in certain regions. The majority of early accounts were created in Africa. However, the company has not released any information about the test regions.

Reddit users report that some new Gmail accounts are getting lower storage limits.

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What Google Has Said

Google says the test is meant to help it continue offering free storage services while also improving account security and recovery systems. The company did not name specific regions but acknowledged the change is a deliberate experiment.

Here’s another point to consider. On Google’s own help page, there was a subtle shift in the wording. Instead of saying "15GB of free storage," the new wording reads, "up to 15GB of storage." This subtle change implies that there may be some variability based on how your account is configured.

Why Is Google Doing This

There are two solid justifications for this decision.

The first justification revolves around the problem of misuse. As time went on, many people began creating additional Gmail accounts just to have more cloud storage without having to buy Google One memberships. This is common knowledge, and Google is certainly trying to block this tactic.

The second justification involves escalating costs associated with infrastructure. It has become increasingly costly to maintain cloud storage. Servers, data centres, and even storage chips now cost much more than they did a few years back. Increased usage from artificial intelligence services has caused the cost to skyrocket further. Google has already dealt with similar situations in the past, such as stopping unlimited storage for Google Photos.

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How to Still Get the Full 15GB

Here is the good news. Users who link a phone number to their new Gmail account can still unlock the full 15GB storage. Based on user reports, the process works like this:

This method solves the problem of abuse. It would be very difficult to make dozens of accounts with extra storage space when all of them must be associated with a phone number. Security and account recovery were the exact purposes of implementing such a test, which were stated by Google.

If you already have a Gmail account, you are not affected right now. There is no indication Google plans to reduce storage for existing accounts. The change is currently limited to new sign-ups in select regions only.

However, considering that Google has made an official statement regarding the experiment, it might still be possible that Google will launch the experiment worldwide if it gets the desired results from it. Google has not made any public announcements regarding whether this will be its official storage policy across the globe.

For the time being, be on the lookout for any messages from Google regarding your account. If you are setting up a new Gmail account, you just need to enter your mobile number when prompted.