Google ordered to open Gemini AI on Android and to count Android backups toward account storage

The European Commission has issued binding decisions under the Digital Markets Act that require Google to make its Gemini AI features interoperable on Android devices. The rule applies to roughly 427 million smartphones in the EU and will be rolled out with Android 18 and Android 19 releases starting at the end of 2026. Google has objected, citing privacy and national‑security concerns, while competitors such as Apple and Samsung see the move as a push for greater interoperability.

In a separate change, Google announced that from 7 July 2026 backup data from Android devices – including SMS, call logs, app data and device settings – will count against the 15 GB free storage quota shared across Gmail, Google Drive and Google Photos. The average increase per backup is estimated at about 40 MB. Users whose accounts are near the limit will see their storage usage rise and may need to delete data or upgrade to a paid Google One plan. The rollout will begin with new devices and be extended to existing accounts over the coming months, with a 45‑day notice period before the new accounting takes effect.