Google changes the rules for free cloud storage

From 1 June 2021 documents produced with the Mountain View apps will also be counted in the files that occupy the first 15 giga for free

(Photo by Alex Tai / SOPA Images / LightRocket via Getty Images) New rules for archiving free files on the Google cloud. From 1 June 2021 we change music and we must pay attention to what is saved online in order not to exceed the 15 free gigabytes. Until now, Google has counted the files uploaded to Drive, the Gmail mailbox and the images with a resolution of less than 16 megapixels uploaded to Google Photos in the share of free cloud space. Files created with Docs, Sheets, Presentations, Drawings and Jamboards now don't weigh on the 15GB of storage. (screenshot from Google) Big G instead stores all files created and shared with its applications, such as Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drawings and Jamboard, in a free unlimited space. Furthermore, even the images and videos uploaded in high definition on Google Photos do not weigh on the available space.

But from June 1st 2021 the conditions change. Google will start counting files created with its apps within the first 15 free gigs. While these tend to be small files, users will need to start worrying about uploads to Google Photos. Because with this change all uploaded photos or videos will be counted in the 15 gigabytes. Except those, even in high quality, already archived before the designated date.

To check the quality of the backup, users can access the Backup and Sync menu in the Settings in the Google Photos app. “This change won't take effect for another six months, so you don't have to do anything now. And once this change goes into effect on June 1, 2021, more than 80% of you should still be able to store around three more years of memories with the free 15GB of storage, ”Google explains in its blog also underlining that photos uploaded by Pixel 1-5 phones will continue to be exempt from the limitation.

Google allows you to make a personalized estimate of the time it will take to saturate the free 15GB of space (photo: Google ) You can find out, through a personalized estimate, how long your free space could last. When a user gets close to running out, they will receive a notification from Google. To get more storage space, users will be able to subscribe to Google One with the 100 gb, 200 gb or 2 tb plans.