Since 2018, Android users have enjoyed the freedom of storing their WhatsApp data on Google Drive at no cost. However, this convenient arrangement is set to change, according to a new announcement by Google and WhatsApp.
The end of unlimited WhatsApp backups
The tech giants revealed in a joint statement the termination of unlimited backups in Drive. This means that the data backed up will now count against the total storage capacity of your Google account.
The clock is ticking, and the end of unlimited WhatsApp backups is slated to begin in December 2023. The rollout of this change will commence with WhatsApp beta users and gradually extend to all users by the first half of 2024.
For those relying on the stable version of WhatsApp, the impact will start in the first half of 2024. Beyond this point, users must exercise caution regarding the volume of information uploaded to Google Drive.
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Rest assured, WhatsApp will promptly notify all users before the measure takes effect. A warning will appear in the backup settings 30 days prior to the implementation of this change.
If you are a standard Drive user, your storage allocation is 15 GB, shared across all Google services. Despite this limitation, Google contends that it is “three times more than most platforms”.
When your free space runs low, Google recommends removing unnecessary files or deleting WhatsApp media to trim backup sizes. Alternatively, users can opt for a Google One plan to expand their cloud storage. Plans include 100 GB for $1.99 per month or a premium 2 TB plan for $9.99 per month.
Notably, the end of unlimited backups applies exclusively to personal Google accounts. Those with Google Workspace or school accounts remain unaffected by this measure.
As we approach the implementation date, users should be vigilant, manage their data wisely, and explore available options to ensure a seamless transition to the new backup system.
