In the approaching months, a significant shift is set to unfold for Android users relying on Google Drive to safeguard their WhatsApp chats. WhatsApp disseminated a reminiscent Public Service Announcement (PSA) a while back. And now, the predictions have manifested into reality. This development, initially broached in mid-November, is currently underway for users participating in WhatsApp’s beta testing initiative.
Say Goodbye to Free Google Drive Space: WhatsApp Backups to Count Against Storage Quota
Beta testers are surfacing reports, confirming that Google Drive storage quotas now account for their chat and media backups. This implies that the storage utilized by these backups will contribute to the overall limit imposed by Google Account storage for free users, capped at 15GB. This 15GB encompasses all data stored across Google Drive. Including Google Photos, and Gmail, mirroring the experience of iPhone and iOS users on WhatsApp.
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The disparity lies in the fact that iOS users face a more constrained free cloud storage tier. It’s just 5GB as opposed to the more generous 15GB offered by Google. This alteration in the treatment of backups is not immediate for all Android users. Rather, it’s scheduled to be implemented by Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, in the first half of 2024. To facilitate a seamless transition, users will be notified 30 days in advance. They will get a banner within the app’s Chat Backup settings.
For those who prefer not to consume their Google Drive storage with WhatsApp data, alternative strategies are available. One option involves opting for local backups and leveraging the built-in WhatsApp Chat Transfer tool to effortlessly migrate data to a new device. Another avenue is adopting a space-efficient approach by backing up only text messages, thereby excluding media files. As the landscape of WhatsApp backups undergoes this transformative shift, users should explore these alternatives to optimize their storage preferences.
