Google might soon stop handing out 15GB of free cloud storage to every new user by default. Lately, there have been reports that Google is testing a different approach, where certain newly created Google accounts get only 5GB of free space. This is applicable only if users verify their accounts using a phone number. This storage feature works across Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos.
According to screenshots shared by some users, Google is likely to offer two choices during account setup:
Continue with 5GB of storage
Unlock the full 15GB by linking a phone number
As per a 9to5Google report, “the prompt reportedly appears during the setup process for new Gmail accounts. The users are allegedly given two options: continue with 5GB of storage or unlock the full 15GB quota by verifying the account with a phone number.”
The notification shows that if you add a phone number, it unlocks access to about 15GB of storage across services like Google Photos, Google Drive, and Gmail, with no additional cost. It kind of feels like a small ‘bonus’ feature, so you can just use it without paying extra.
This change is expected to curb fake accounts, spam registrations, and automated bot signups indirectly. Google aims to tighten identity checks while also improving account safety and recovery options.
Looking ahead, Google explains that the experiment is intended to ‘provide a high-quality storage service’ while encouraging stronger account security. The phone verification helps ensure the storage benefit is limited to one specific individual per account, or at least that’s what it kinda implies.
By requiring phone verification for higher storage tiers, Google may be trying to tighten identity checks while also improving account safety and recovery options.
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