Google has announced a significant update regarding the data backup policy for Android devices. Effective July 7, 2026, all backup data from Android will now count towards the user's Google account storage quota.
New Backup Policy Details
Previously, only certain types of data, such as photos stored in Google Photos and multimedia messages (MMS), affected the storage quota. Under the new policy, all backed-up data from Android devices will consume space in the user’s Google account.
Gradual Rollout for Existing Users
This change will apply immediately to new Android users, while existing users will receive the update gradually over the coming months. Despite the change, Google has reassured users that the impact on their storage limits will be minimal.
Expected Increase in Storage Usage
A Google spokesperson indicated that the average additional storage usage would be around 40 MB. This adjustment aims to enhance the backup feature, allowing users to easily restore data when switching devices or resetting their phones.
Enhanced Backup Settings for Users
In conjunction with this policy update, Google is rolling out more flexible backup settings. Users will now have the option to select which data and applications they want to back up to their Google account. Through the Backup menu on their Android devices, users can choose to exclude device settings, call history, and SMS or MMS messages from backup.
Google emphasizes that this change will provide users with greater transparency and control over their backup data selections. Users can now more effectively manage their storage by deciding what they deem necessary to back up.
Recent Changes in Google Storage Policies
This update is part of a broader series of adjustments to Google’s storage policies. Earlier in May 2026, Google began testing a reduction in free storage capacity for new accounts, decreasing it from 15 GB to just 5 GB, unless users link their accounts to a phone number.
These changes reflect Google’s ongoing efforts to refine its data management services and improve user experiences on Android devices.
Source: https://tekno.kompas.com/read/2026/07/13/17150097/pengguna-android-siap-siap-ruang-penyimpanan-google-bakal-makin-cepat-penuh-
