Google Notifies Android Users of Significant Backup Storage Update

WHO:

Android Police - Google is the organization notifying Android users.

Android Authority - Shimul Sood is the author of the article.

WHAT:

Android Police - Google is changing its backup storage policy, which will now count all Android backup data against users' Google Account storage limits.

Android Authority - The change will include SMS, call history, device settings, and app settings in the storage quota.

Android Police - The change will take effect in 45 days.

Android Authority - Users may see an increase of around 30–60 MB in their storage usage due to the backup policy change.

WHERE:

Android Police - The change affects all Android users globally who utilize Google Account storage.

WHEN:

Android Police - The new backup storage policy will take effect in 45 days from the notification.

WHY:

Android Police - The change aims to make Android cloud backups more transparent and to provide users with more control over their backup data.

HOW:

Android Police - Users will receive an email detailing the new policy and how it will affect their storage.

Android Authority - Google is rolling out more granular backup controls for Android 9 and newer devices, allowing users to select which types of data and apps to back up.

Android Authority - Users can monitor their backup storage usage through the Google One app or Android's backup settings.

(UPDATED July 21, 2026 01:26 UTC)

Google is changing its backup storage policy, which will now count all Android backup data against users' Google Account storage limits, affecting all Android users globally. This new policy will include SMS, call history, device settings, and app settings in the storage quota and is set to take effect in 45 days, potentially increasing users' storage usage by around 30 to 60 megabytes. Users will receive an email detailing the new policy, and those with Android 9 and newer devices will have more granular backup controls to choose which data and apps to back up.