Google counts Android backups toward free storage

If you use a Google account, you may want to prepare for a significant change. Starting July 7, Google will begin counting Android backup data toward your Google account’s available storage.

Until now, only Google Photos media, Google Drive files and Gmail emails counted against a user’s Google storage quota. Under the new policy, all Android backup data will also be included in the storage limit.

According to Google, the change will apply immediately to new Android users while existing users will see it rolled out over the coming months.

A Google spokesperson explained that Android backups store your phone’s data in your Google account making it easier to restore your device or set up a new phone without losing important information.

The spokesperson said the company’s policy has been updated so that all Android backup data will now count toward Google account storage.

Google estimates that, on average, Android backups will use around 40 MB of storage per user. The company also said users will have greater control over their backups allowing them to choose which apps and data should be backed up. This is the latest change to Google’s account storage policies.

Earlier, in May 2026, Google began testing a reduction in the free storage allocation for new accounts lowering it from 15 GB to 5 GB.