{"id":85958,"date":"2026-05-15T09:01:19","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T09:01:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bisedoshqip.de\/the-era-of-15gb-free-gmail-storage-is-ending-update-google-responds\/"},"modified":"2026-05-15T09:01:19","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T09:01:19","slug":"the-era-of-15gb-free-gmail-storage-is-ending-update-google-responds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bisedoshqip.de\/sq\/the-era-of-15gb-free-gmail-storage-is-ending-update-google-responds\/","title":{"rendered":"The era of 15GB free Gmail storage is ending (Update: Google responds)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div data-content-wrapper=\"true\">\n<div class=\"e_f\">\n<div class=\"e_3t\" style=\"max-width:1920px\"><picture class=\"e_Lg\" style=\"padding-top:56.25%;aspect-ratio:1920 \/ 1080\"><source sizes=\"(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Gmail-on-tablet-stock-photo-1.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Gmail-on-tablet-stock-photo-1-1536w-864h.jpg.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Gmail-on-tablet-stock-photo-1-675w-380h.jpg.webp 675w, https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Gmail-on-tablet-stock-photo-1-64w-36h.jpg.webp 64w, https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Gmail-on-tablet-stock-photo-1-1000w-563h.jpg.webp 1000w, https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Gmail-on-tablet-stock-photo-1-300w-170h.jpg.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Gmail-on-tablet-stock-photo-1-1280w-720h.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Gmail-on-tablet-stock-photo-1-840w-472h.jpg.webp 840w\" type=\"image\/webp\"\/><img class=\"e_Mg\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"eager\" sizes=\"(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw\" title=\"Gmail on tablet stock photo 1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Gmail-on-tablet-stock-photo-1.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Gmail-on-tablet-stock-photo-1-1536w-864h.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Gmail-on-tablet-stock-photo-1-675w-380h.jpg 675w, https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Gmail-on-tablet-stock-photo-1-64w-36h.jpg 64w, https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Gmail-on-tablet-stock-photo-1-1000w-563h.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Gmail-on-tablet-stock-photo-1-300w-170h.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Gmail-on-tablet-stock-photo-1-1280w-720h.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Gmail-on-tablet-stock-photo-1-840w-472h.jpg 840w\" alt=\"Gmail on tablet stock photo 1\" src=\"https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Gmail-on-tablet-stock-photo-1.jpg\"\/><\/picture>\n<div class=\"e_jw e_4t\">\n<p>Edgar Cervantes \/ Android Authority<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-container-type=\"content\" class=\"e_Ej e_e e_Q\">\n<p>TL;DR<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Google is reportedly testing a 5GB storage limit for new Gmail accounts, down from the standard 15GB.<\/li>\n<li>Users can \u201cunlock\u201d the full 15GB of free storage by adding a phone number to their account.<\/li>\n<li>Google subsequently confirmed this test in a statement to Android Authority.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"e_e e_Q\">\n<p><strong>Update: May 15, 2026 (2:57 AM ET):<\/strong> Google has now <a href=\"https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/google-free-15gb-gmail-storage-ending-explanation-3667360\/\">confirmed<\/a> this test in a statement to us while giving more details regarding the feature:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>We\u2019re testing a new storage policy for new accounts created in select regions that will help us continue to provide a high quality storage service to our users, while encouraging users to improve their account security and data recovery.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>In other words, Google says it\u2019s effectively incentivizing new users to add their phone numbers to improve security.<\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<p><strong>Original article: May 14, 2026 (9:07 AM ET):<\/strong> Signing up for a Gmail account normally gives you 15GB of free cloud storage. That\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/control-clean-google-photos-storage-3525116\/\">fairly generous if managed well<\/a>, and generally good enough for most people. However, it seems that Google is testing offering only 5GB free storage unless you add a phone number to your account.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"e_e e_Ok e_Nk\" data-container-type=\"content\">\n<div class=\"e_e e_Q\">\n<p><strong>Don\u2019t want to miss the best from <em>Android Authority<\/em>?<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"e_e e_0m\"><a href=\"https:\/\/andauth.co\/AAGooglePreferredSource\" class=\"e_3m\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer nofollow\"><picture class=\"e_4m e_5m e_Lg\" style=\"padding-top:31.51%;aspect-ratio:676 \/ 213\"><source sizes=\"9.375rem\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/google_preferred_source_badge_light@2x.png.webp 676w, https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/google_preferred_source_badge_light@2x-64w-20h.png.webp 64w\" type=\"image\/webp\"\/><img class=\"e_Mg\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"9.375rem\" title=\"google preferred source badge light@2x\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/google_preferred_source_badge_light@2x.png 676w, https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/google_preferred_source_badge_light@2x-64w-20h.png 64w\" alt=\"google preferred source badge light@2x\" src=\"https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/google_preferred_source_badge_light@2x.png\"\/><\/picture><picture class=\"e_4m e_Lg\" style=\"padding-top:31.51%;aspect-ratio:676 \/ 213\"><source sizes=\"9.375rem\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/google_preferred_source_badge_dark@2x.png.webp 676w, https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/google_preferred_source_badge_dark@2x-64w-20h.png.webp 64w\" type=\"image\/webp\"\/><img class=\"e_Mg\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"9.375rem\" title=\"google preferred source badge dark@2x\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/google_preferred_source_badge_dark@2x.png 676w, https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/google_preferred_source_badge_dark@2x-64w-20h.png 64w\" alt=\"google preferred source badge dark@2x\" src=\"https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/google_preferred_source_badge_dark@2x.png\"\/><\/picture><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"e_e e_Q\">\n<p>According to a screenshot shared on Reddit by user <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/degoogle\/comments\/1tc0j0k\/gmail_now_gives_5gb_free_if_you_sign_up_without\/#lightbox\" target=\"_blank\">sungusungu<\/a> (via <em><a href=\"https:\/\/piunikaweb.com\/2026\/05\/13\/google-5gb-free-storage-no-phone-number\/\" target=\"_blank\">Piunikaweb<\/a><\/em>), Google only gave them 5GB of free storage with their new Gmail account. Additionally, the company gave them the option to unlock the full 15GB free storage by adding a phone number.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"e_f\">\n<div class=\"e_3t\" style=\"max-width:1200px\"><picture class=\"e_Lg\" style=\"padding-top:56.25%;aspect-ratio:1200 \/ 675\"><source sizes=\"(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/google-storage-options-15gb-free-with-phone-number.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/google-storage-options-15gb-free-with-phone-number-64w-36h.jpg.webp 64w, https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/google-storage-options-15gb-free-with-phone-number-1000w-563h.jpg.webp 1000w, https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/google-storage-options-15gb-free-with-phone-number-675w-380h.jpg.webp 675w, https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/google-storage-options-15gb-free-with-phone-number-300w-170h.jpg.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/google-storage-options-15gb-free-with-phone-number-840w-472h.jpg.webp 840w\" type=\"image\/webp\"\/><img class=\"e_Mg\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw\" title=\"google storage options 15gb free with phone number\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/google-storage-options-15gb-free-with-phone-number.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/google-storage-options-15gb-free-with-phone-number-64w-36h.jpg 64w, https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/google-storage-options-15gb-free-with-phone-number-1000w-563h.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/google-storage-options-15gb-free-with-phone-number-675w-380h.jpg 675w, https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/google-storage-options-15gb-free-with-phone-number-300w-170h.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/google-storage-options-15gb-free-with-phone-number-840w-472h.jpg 840w\" alt=\"Google's review your storage options message offering the user the chance to unlock 15GB free storage by adding their phone number to their Gmail account\" src=\"https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/google-storage-options-15gb-free-with-phone-number.jpg\"\/><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"e_e e_Q\">\n<p>Users on Reddit reacted with questions about \u201cfree\u201d services, with some saying it\u2019s a new way for Google to collect data from its users. However, several users also pointed out that it could be to prevent spam.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"e_e e_Q\">\n<p>Meanwhile, I tried creating a new Gmail account to see if this shows up for me as well. However, Google wouldn\u2019t let me continue without adding a phone number in the first place. On the other hand, my alternative Gmail account, which doesn\u2019t have a phone number added, still shows that I have 15GB of storage.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"e_e e_fl\">\n<div class=\"e_il e_fu\">\n<h3 class=\"e_iu\">Would you give Google your phone number to unlock the full 15GB of Gmail storage?<\/h3>\n<p>561 votes<\/p>\n<div class=\"e_ku e_ql\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"e_lu\"><\/p>\n<p>Yes, that&#8217;s fine<\/p>\n<p>19<!-- -->%<\/p>\n<p><\/button><button type=\"button\" class=\"e_lu\"><\/p>\n<p>No, 5GB is enough<\/p>\n<p>11<!-- -->%<\/p>\n<p><\/button><button type=\"button\" class=\"e_lu\"><\/p>\n<p>No, but I still want 15GB of storage<\/p>\n<p>44<!-- -->%<\/p>\n<p><\/button><button type=\"button\" class=\"e_lu\"><\/p>\n<p>I already gave my number to Google<\/p>\n<p>27<!-- -->%<\/p>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"e_e e_Q\">\n<p>It is unclear whether this is a change that\u2019s being rolled out or if Google is running an A\/B test in certain regions. Google hasn\u2019t announced any changes, and its <a href=\"https:\/\/support.google.com\/googleone\/answer\/9312312?hl=en\" target=\"_blank\">support page<\/a> still mentions that each account gets 15GB free storage. For now, it seems there\u2019s nothing to worry about.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"e_e e_Q\">\n<p>We\u2019ve reached out to Google for comment and will update this article when we hear back.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-container-type=\"content\">\n<div class=\"e_Dd e_Q\">\n<p>Thank you for being part of our community. Read our\u00a0<a class=\"c-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/android-authority-comment-policy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-stringify-link=\"https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/android-authority-comment-policy\/\" data-sk=\"tooltip_parent\">Comment Policy<\/a> before posting.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/google-gmail-5gb-free-storage-test-3667002\/\">Source link <\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Edgar Cervantes \/ Android Authority TL;DR Google is reportedly testing a 5GB storage limit for new Gmail accounts, down from<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":85960,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"colormag_page_container_layout":"default_layout","colormag_page_sidebar_layout":"default_layout","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[40],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-85958","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-aktualitet"],"aioseo_notices":[],"magazineBlocksPostFeaturedMedia":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/bisedoshqip.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Gmail-on-tablet-stock-photo-1-150x150.jpg","medium":"https:\/\/bisedoshqip.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Gmail-on-tablet-stock-photo-1-300x169.jpg","medium_large":"https:\/\/bisedoshqip.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Gmail-on-tablet-stock-photo-1-768x432.jpg","large":"https:\/\/bisedoshqip.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Gmail-on-tablet-stock-photo-1-1024x576.jpg","1536x1536":"https:\/\/bisedoshqip.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Gmail-on-tablet-stock-photo-1-1536x864.jpg","2048x2048":"https:\/\/bisedoshqip.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Gmail-on-tablet-stock-photo-1.jpg","trp-custom-language-flag":"https:\/\/bisedoshqip.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Gmail-on-tablet-stock-photo-1.jpg","colormag-highlighted-post":"https:\/\/bisedoshqip.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Gmail-on-tablet-stock-photo-1-392x272.jpg","colormag-featured-post-medium":"https:\/\/bisedoshqip.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Gmail-on-tablet-stock-photo-1-390x205.jpg","colormag-featured-post-small":"https:\/\/bisedoshqip.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Gmail-on-tablet-stock-photo-1-130x90.jpg","colormag-featured-image":"https:\/\/bisedoshqip.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Gmail-on-tablet-stock-photo-1-800x445.jpg","colormag-default-news":"https:\/\/bisedoshqip.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Gmail-on-tablet-stock-photo-1-150x150.jpg","colormag-featured-image-large":"https:\/\/bisedoshqip.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Gmail-on-tablet-stock-photo-1-1400x600.jpg","colormag-elementor-block-extra-large-thumbnail":"https:\/\/bisedoshqip.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Gmail-on-tablet-stock-photo-1-1155x480.jpg","colormag-elementor-grid-large-thumbnail":"https:\/\/bisedoshqip.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Gmail-on-tablet-stock-photo-1-600x417.jpg","colormag-elementor-grid-small-thumbnail":"https:\/\/bisedoshqip.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Gmail-on-tablet-stock-photo-1-285x450.jpg","colormag-elementor-grid-medium-large-thumbnail":"https:\/\/bisedoshqip.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Gmail-on-tablet-stock-photo-1-575x198.jpg"},"magazineBlocksPostAuthor":{"name":"Ioni","avatar":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/4de7d1024908d847fc21ef50fe01465508cd6bac2b59b1c21485c2342bf8bf44?s=96&d=mm&r=g"},"magazineBlocksPostCommentsNumber":"0","magazineBlocksPostExcerpt":"Edgar Cervantes \/ Android Authority TL;DR Google is reportedly testing a 5GB storage limit for new Gmail accounts, down from","magazineBlocksPostCategories":["Aktualitet"],"magazineBlocksPostViewCount":7,"magazineBlocksPostReadTime":3,"magazine_blocks_featured_image_url":{"full":["https:\/\/bisedoshqip.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Gmail-on-tablet-stock-photo-1.jpg",1920,1080,false],"medium":["https:\/\/bisedoshqip.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Gmail-on-tablet-stock-photo-1-300x169.jpg",300,169,true],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/bisedoshqip.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Gmail-on-tablet-stock-photo-1-150x150.jpg",150,150,true]},"magazine_blocks_author":{"display_name":"Ioni","author_link":"https:\/\/bisedoshqip.de\/sq\/author\/drilon_admin\/"},"magazine_blocks_comment":0,"magazine_blocks_author_image":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/4de7d1024908d847fc21ef50fe01465508cd6bac2b59b1c21485c2342bf8bf44?s=96&d=mm&r=g","magazine_blocks_category":"<a href=\"#\" class=\"category-link 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