For years, a standard 15GB of free storage has been the baseline for new Gmail users. However, recent reports from Android Authority indicate that Google is currently testing a more restrictive policy, capping initial storage at just 5GB for new accounts in specific regions.
To regain the full 15GB of free storage, users are reportedly required to add a mobile phone number to their account profile. Google confirmed the trial in an official statement: "We are testing a new storage policy for newly created accounts in certain regions, which will help us continue to provide high-quality storage services while encouraging users to improve their account security and recovery capabilities."
Industry analysts suggest this move serves a dual purpose. By mandating phone verification to unlock additional storage, Google can better combat the creation of bot accounts and ensure users have robust recovery options. However, the reduced initial limit also increases the pressure on storage-heavy users, potentially serving as a nudge toward the company’s paid Google One subscription tiers.
