Google is tightening the screw. Again.
For years, Gmail handed out 15GB of cloud storage to anyone who walked in the door. No strings. No fuss. Now, they’re testing a way to slash that by two-thirds. Down to a measly 5GB. Just for newcomers.
Android Authority dug it up. Google confirmed it. It’s not a bug. It’s a feature test.
Existing accounts are safe. If you’ve had a mailbox since 2014, you’re keeping your 15GB. But if you create an account today in specific test regions? You’re looking at a tiny box. Right now, those regions seem to be largely African countries. Why there? Hard to say. Storage doesn’t care about borders.
Google claims it’s about “high-quality service.” Their actual words to the press were polite and corporate:
We’re testing a new storage policy… that will help us continue to provide high-quality storage… while encouraging users to improve their security.
Translation? They want your phone number.
Here is the loophole. The fix is annoying, but it works. You don’t need to pay. You just need to verify yourself. Attach a mobile number to the new account, and poof — the 5GB ceiling disappears. The full 15GB returns.
Is linking a phone number a security risk? Sure. It can be. But it’s also a double-edged sword. That same link enables two-factor authentication. Makes it harder for someone else to hijack your digital life. It’s a trade-off. Convenience against privacy. The classic dance.
Why change now? Storage costs money. Users accumulate junk mail, spam, and attached JPEGs. They stop deleting things. 15GB feels free when everyone is on the hook, but 5GB feels like a test drive for their paid plans.
It’s just a test though. A shadow test. It might die tomorrow. It might expand tomorrow. There is no guarantee it won’t eventually become the global standard for everyone, everywhere.
If you’re planning on starting a new inbox… hurry up. Lock in the old policy while you still can. Or just verify your phone. The choice is yours.
