Google limits free Android backup storage to 15 GB total

Effective July 7, Google will count all Android backup data—including SMS messages, call history, device settings and other files—toward the 15 GB free storage limit that previously applied only to photos, videos and MMS data. Google estimates the change will increase the average user's storage use by about 40 MB.

The rollout will start with new Android users and expand to all users over the coming months. Google will also introduce granular controls that let users toggle which data types are backed up. For those needing more space, Google One offers paid tiers: 100 GB for $1.99 / month, 200 GB for $2.99 / month, and 2 TB for $9.99 / month. The company notes that even with the tighter free limit, its free offering remains larger than Apple’s iCloud, which provides only 5 GB.