Google has changed its storage policy for new accounts, offering only 5GB of free Google Drive storage to users who do not add a phone number — down from the 15GB the company has provided for years. The change was reported in May 2026 after users noticed the reduced storage offer during new account sign-ups.
New users can still unlock the full 15GB by linking a phone number to their account. Google updated its support pages to reflect the shift, which now state that accounts come with “up to 15 GB of cloud storage at no charge” — a change from the previous wording that guaranteed 15GB outright. Archived versions of the support page did not include the phrase “up to” until around February 2026, suggesting the policy change may have been in planning since March.
In a statement to Android Authority, Google said: “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 change appears aimed at preventing users from accumulating more than 15GB of free storage by creating multiple Gmail accounts. Google already requires a mobile number to verify most new accounts, but there are exceptions — such as when setting up a new smartphone without a SIM card. Under the updated policy, those users would need to provide a phone number to receive the full 15GB allocation.
Google has not confirmed whether the policy will extend beyond the select regions currently being tested, and the company’s statement does not explicitly rule out further reductions to free storage in the future. Existing accounts with 15GB of storage do not appear to be affected by the change.
Source: mint – technology