Google Cuts Free Storage to 5GB for New Accounts Without Phone Number

New Google accounts now get 5GB of free storage, a 67% cut from the usual 15GB, if they don't link a phone number.
By Newsroom | Technology, Storage |

Google appears to be curtailing the free storage offered to new accounts, a move confirmed by the tech giant as a test. The standard 15GB of free storage, historically bundled with Gmail, Drive, and Photos, is being reduced to 5GB for newly created accounts unless users opt to link a phone number. Google has acknowledged these tests, stating the policy aims to "continue to provide a high-quality storage service" while "encouraging users to improve their account security and data recovery."

Google Could Limit New Gmail Accounts to Only 5GB of Free Storage - 1

The shift, first flagged by various tech outlets over the past day, means that newcomers to the Google ecosystem face a significant cutback in their initial digital space. For those who choose not to link their phone number during account setup, the available free storage plummets by a reported 67%. Google's stated rationale points to curbing abuse by spammers and bots that allegedly create numerous accounts to exploit the existing 15GB allotment. Linking phone numbers, in this view, serves as a measure to limit mass account creation and enhance security through easier verification.

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Google Could Limit New Gmail Accounts to Only 5GB of Free Storage - 2

The change is not affecting existing accounts that already benefit from the 15GB free tier. However, the policy revision, currently being trialled in select regions, suggests a fundamental alteration in how Google extends its services to new users. The practical implication is that individuals seeking the full 15GB will now need to provide a phone number, a detail Google states will help ensure storage is allocated "only once per person."

This recalibration of free storage offerings marks a departure from a long-standing, consistent perk for Google users. The company has historically offered 15GB of free cloud storage across its core services—Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos—as a standard for every new account. The reported adjustments indicate a potential move towards a more segmented or conditional approach to digital storage, where user verification, specifically through phone numbers, becomes a prerequisite for the historically generous free tier.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why are new Google accounts getting less free storage starting May 16, 2026?
Google is testing a change where new accounts get 5GB of free storage instead of 15GB. This is to encourage users to link a phone number for better security and to limit spam accounts.
Q: Do existing Google accounts lose storage?
No, this change only affects newly created Google accounts. If you already have a Google account, your 15GB of free storage will not change.
Q: How can new users get the full 15GB of free storage?
New users can get the full 15GB of free storage by linking their phone number during the account setup process. Google says this helps ensure storage is allocated only once per person.
Q: What is Google's reason for this storage change?
Google states the change aims to provide a high-quality storage service and encourage users to improve account security and data recovery by linking a phone number, while also limiting the creation of spam accounts.