Jakarta, en.SERU.co.id – Google is quietly trying out a change that gives some new accounts just 5GB of free storage instead of the usual 15GB. The good news? Existing accounts aren’t affected at all.
If you’re setting up a fresh Google account in certain regions right now, you might notice the storage offer drops to 5GB unless you add and verify a phone number during signup. Once you do that, it unlocks the full 15GB shared across Gmail, Drive, and Photos — still completely free.
A Google spokesperson confirmed the test to several outlets, saying:
“We’re 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.”
The tweak first popped up through user reports on Reddit, mostly from people in countries like Kenya and Nigeria. It seems like a practical move to cut down on bot accounts and one-time throwaway emails that eat up server space. At the same time, linking a phone number makes it easier to recover your account if something goes wrong.
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For now, this is still just an experiment in specific areas. Google’s support pages continue to mention “up to 15GB” of free storage, and there’s no sign yet that it’s rolling out everywhere.
If you just created a new account and got stuck with 5GB, simply adding your phone number should fix it instantly. Long-time users can relax — nothing changes for you. Just keep an eye on your storage like usual if you’re close to the limit.
*(Sources: Android Authority, CNET, 9to5Google, Mashable, TechSpot, and official Google statements via multiple reports)
