Updated

Updated · Android Authority · Jul 20

Google Warns Android Users 45 Days Before Backups Start Counting Toward Storage Limits

Updated

Updated · Android Authority · Jul 20

Google Warns Android Users 45 Days Before Backups Start Counting Toward Storage Limits

Q: Your phone backup now costs storage, but will one click to save space also delete your past data?

Yes—if that “one click” is the new Android backup toggle for a data category, turning it off is expected to delete that category’s existing cloud backup, not just stop future uploads. Google’s change, announced July 20 and taking effect in 45 days, means Android backups such as SMS, call history, device settings and app settings will count against Google Account storage. To help users manage space, Google is adding granular controls on Android 9 and later so people can exclude specific data types or apps. The important catch is that these controls are not just forward-looking. Based on Google’s current backup behavior and the new granular system described in beta and support materials, disabling a category removes its stored backup copy from Google’s cloud for that category. That means you keep the live data on your phone, but you lose the restore point for that backed-up data if the phone is lost, reset or replaced. That is different from deleting an old device backup in Google One, which can free space without affecting the data currently on your active phone. It is also different from general storage cleanup in Gmail, Drive or Photos, where you usually review items before deleting them. For most users, Google says the added backup usage will be small—about 30 to 40MB on average. If you are near the storage limit, the safer move is usually to clear larger items in Gmail, Drive or Photos before switching off backup categories you may later need to restore.

3 articles · Updated · Android Authority · Jul 20

Google has begun emailing Android users that, in 45 days, all Android backup data will count against each Google Account’s storage cap.
The change expands storage accounting beyond Google Photos uploads and MMS to include SMS, call history, device settings, app settings and other backup data.
Accounts that exceed their storage limit after the switch will see automatic Android backups pause until users free space or buy more storage.
Android 9 and later will get granular backup controls, letting users choose specific apps and data types to include, while Google One’s storage manager will show the added usage.
Google has said the average backup increase should be about 40MB—one emailed estimate showed 0.03GB—suggesting limited impact for most users despite the policy shift.