Google may reduce the free storage offered to new Gmail users from 15GB to just 5GB, according to a report from Android Authority. The report also says that users who want to expand beyond the 5GB limit would need to provide Google with a phone number to unlock additional storage.
A Google representative confirmed that it’s testing new account options. “We’re testing a new storage policy for new accounts created in select regions that will help us continue to provide a high-quality storage service to our users, while encouraging users to improve their account security and data recovery,” the representative said in a statement to CNET.
A verified phone number typically blocks multi-account storage abuse and secures Google profiles with a reliable recovery method. Some observers speculate that the move could also be a way for Google to encourage more people to subscribe to paid cloud storage plans under Google One. It’s unclear if the test regions include the US. Android Authority reported that accounts with only 5GB of storage were primarily in African countries.
Google has been expanding its paid account tiers, combining Gemini AI features into bundles. It recently added three new tiers focused on AI features, starting at $8 a month with 200GB of storage included.
When Gmail debuted in 2004, it offered users 1GB of storage — a significant amount at the time that changed how many people approached email. Google doubled that to 2GB the following year, then continued raising the limit to 7GB, 10GB, and finally 15GB in 2013, when Google Drive, Google Photos, and Gmail merged into a shared storage pool.
One reason Gmail gained early traction over competing email services was lowering the barrier to entry through generous free storage, making it harder for users to justify switching. Today, Google is competing primarily on the AI front, which helps explain why it’s increasingly bundling Gemini features with the email, photo, and document services users rely on.
Source: Google Tests Cutting Free Gmail Storage From 15GB to 5GB for New Users