Google may limit new accounts to 5GB of free storage unless phone number is added

Google appears to be changing how much free cloud storage new accounts receive, with some new signups reportedly seeing only 5GB by default instead of the long standing 15GB. The full 15GB can still be unlocked, but only after adding and verifying a phone number.

The change affects storage shared across Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos. Existing accounts do not appear to be affected for now, so people who already have 15GB of free storage should not see their limit reduced.

The new setup seems aimed at account verification. Google’s message says the phone number is used to make sure extra storage is added only once per person. That suggests the company may be trying to limit abuse from people creating many free accounts to get more storage.

The timing is notable because Google has also changed the wording on its support pages. Instead of saying every Google Account comes with 15GB of storage at no charge, the wording now says accounts come with up to 15GB of cloud storage at no charge. That small wording change gives Google more room to offer different free storage limits depending on verification.

For anyone creating a new Google account, this means the choice is simple but not ideal. You can keep the account more private and accept 5GB of storage, or add a phone number and get the full 15GB. The number can reportedly be added later, so you do not have to make that choice during signup.

The 5GB limit makes Google’s free storage closer to Apple’s iCloud free tier, which also offers 5GB. That is a big shift because Google’s 15GB free storage has been one of its biggest advantages for years.

There has been no broad public announcement from Google about the change. That makes it unclear whether this is a full rollout, a regional test, or a gradual policy shift. Still, reports from new account signups and Google’s updated support language suggest the old 15GB default is no longer guaranteed for everyone.

For most people, the practical advice is to check the storage amount when creating a new account. If it shows 5GB, adding a phone number should unlock the full 15GB. If you do not want to share a phone number, you may need to manage storage more carefully or consider a paid plan.