May 15, 2026, 1:14 pm | Read time: 2 minutes
Cloud storage at Google could become significantly tighter for new users in the future. Apparently, not every newly created account automatically starts with the familiar 15 gigabytes of free storage space. Instead, some users are initially shown only 5 gigabytes.
The storage space at Google is shared among Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos. Until now, new accounts automatically received the 15 gigabytes. For many users, this was initially sufficient for everyday use, such as emails with attachments, documents, or initial photos in the cloud.
New Accounts Apparently Receive Only 5 Gigabytes
Hints of the possible change come from a post on Reddit. There, a user reports that when creating a Google account without a phone number, only 5 gigabytes of free storage were displayed.
The previously standard 15 gigabytes are said to be unlocked only when a phone number is provided. Especially with larger attachments, backups, or initial photo storage, the available space could become tight more quickly.
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Google Relies on Phone Numbers
The phone number thus seems to become a new requirement for the full free storage. According to a displayed message, Google wants to prevent users from receiving the additional storage multiple times.
The company is likely aiming to combat the mass creation of accounts. This could prevent users from repeatedly securing free storage through new accounts. At the same time, Google would not completely eliminate free cloud storage but rather control it more strictly.
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Existing Accounts Remain Unchanged
It is currently unclear whether Google has already widely implemented the change or is initially testing it. Apparently, not all new users see the same notices. Therefore, it could initially be a limited trial.
Additionally, there is a change in Google’s support area. It now mentions “up to” 15 gigabytes at no extra charge. Previously, the storage space was directly stated as 15 gigabytes.
For existing Google accounts, there are currently no indications of a reduction. Users with already established accounts do not need to fear restrictions on free storage at this time.