Google Now Counts Android Backup Data Toward Your Storage Cap

Android backup data now counts toward storage cap

Effective immediately, Google will treat the files stored in Android device backups as part of your Google Drive quota. The change, announced on the company’s blog, means that the ↑ 2 GB average backup size could shave precious space from the free 15 GB tier.

“We aim to provide a clearer picture of total usage across services,” a Google spokesperson told Reuters.

For most users the impact will be modest; a typical backup occupies less than 5 GB, and many already hover near their limit. However, power users who sync multiple devices may see their available space dip below the threshold they rely on for photos and documents.

How to manage the new quota

Review backup settings in the Android Settings → Google → Backup menu, and consider disabling apps you no longer need to sync. Deleting old backups can free up ↓ 1 GB per device, according to internal tests.

For those on a tight budget, upgrading to a paid Bloomberg plan remains an option, but the price hike announced earlier this year may offset any gains from trimming backup data.