Google Cuts Free Storage to 5GB Without Phone Link

Google has quietly revised its free cloud storage policy, now offering only 5GB of space to new accounts unless a phone number is linked. Previously, users received 15GB of free storage across Gmail, Drive, and Photos simply by creating a Google account. This change, which began appearing in March 2026, requires a phone number verification to unlock the full 15GB, a move the company states is to prevent multiple accounts from being created by the same individual.

The adjustment was first noticed by a user setting up a new Google account, who was presented with a notification stating: "Your account includes 5 GB of storage. Now get even more storage space with your phone number for Google Photos, Drive, and Gmail. Unlock 15 GB storage at no cost by using your phone number." The option to retain only the 5GB without linking a number was also present. Google's support pages have updated their wording from "Your Google Account comes with 15 GB of cloud storage at no charge" to "up to 15 GB of cloud storage at no charge," reflecting the new tiered approach.

While Google does not widely advertise this specific requirement outside of the new account setup process, creating new accounts on both desktop and mobile platforms typically forces users to verify a phone number before proceeding. Exceptions may exist, such as setting up an Android phone without a SIM card. The stated purpose of linking a phone number is to ensure that the 15GB storage pool is allocated only once per person, effectively curbing potential abuse by bots or users attempting to acquire excessive storage.

Context on Storage Costs and Policy Shifts

This reduction in free storage comes at a time when cloud storage infrastructure and hardware costs are reportedly increasing. Companies like Google are continually balancing the provision of free services with the operational expenses involved. The move to a phone-verified 15GB tier appears to be Google's strategy to manage resources more efficiently while still offering a substantial amount of storage for verified users. This policy adjustment impacts the core services that rely on this cloud space, including email in Gmail, file storage in Google Drive, and photo backups in Google Photos.

The requirement for phone verification is not entirely new for Google services, as it's often employed for security and account recovery purposes across its ecosystem. However, tying it directly to the amount of free storage offered marks a significant shift in how users access this fundamental resource. While some users have expressed dissatisfaction, the change aligns with a broader industry trend of optimizing resource allocation and verifying user identity more rigorously in digital services. For users who do not wish to link a phone number, the 5GB baseline remains available, though this is a considerably smaller pool compared to the previous standard.

The precise implementation details, including any potential workarounds or exceptions beyond the initial setup, remain to be fully clarified by Google. However, the company's updated support documentation and the notification process for new accounts strongly indicate that phone number verification is the intended path to securing the full 15GB of free Google storage moving forward. This policy change underscores the evolving economics of cloud services and the increasing importance of user verification in managing digital resources.