If you use WhatsApp on an Android smartphone and get a lot of photos and videos on the messaging account, it’s better not to save them in the backup data anymore.
This is because now WhatsApp backup data will use up your Google storage space.
The Android Police report stated that until now there was no Google Drive storage limit for WhatsApp backup data.
According to the report, until now WhatsApp data was not counted in the 15 GB storage of the Google account, but in November 2023, Meta announced that from the beginning of 2024, the WhatsApp backup will be counted in the Google storage. .
Now it’s time and WhatsApp backup data of users is using Google storage. To know about this, go to the Google account storage and click on the Other section, where a new addition called WhatsApp will appear.
Clicking on the arrow next to WhatsApp data there will open WhatsApp’s Manage Storage page, where you can see which chats and files are taking up space in Google Storage.
You can reduce your WhatsApp chat backup storage space by deleting large media files. According to the report, this change has been made for a few people and gradually all users’ backup data will become part of Google Storage.
Interestingly, WhatsApp had said in November that users would be notified about the change 30 days in advance, but the accounts that got the change did not receive any notification.
It should be noted that Google accounts come with 15 GB of free cloud storage which is used for Gmail, Drive and Photos etc. Backup of WhatsApp data is helpful when you change your phone and is easy to access through Google Drive.
Given the popularity of WhatsApp, it can be assumed that most users will have several GB of backup data, which can be a problem for those who are already running out of Google storage.
When Google’s free storage capacity for WhatsApp data is exhausted, then users will be directed to opt for Google One (1) subscription plan.
Google has also made a similar change for its popular app Photos, which previously offered free unlimited storage to users, but later limited it to 15 GB of storage.
#WhatsApp #users #missing #great #convenience
What are some options for users who are concerned about WhatsApp backups using up their Google Drive storage?
## WhatsApp Backups Now Count Towards Your Google Storage – What You Need to Know
**[News Anchor]:** Welcome back to Tech Talk. Today we’re discussing a major change for Android WhatsApp users: backup data will now count towards your Google Drive storage. Joining us to break down the implications is tech expert, Sarah Jones. Sarah, thanks for being here.
**[Sarah Jones]:** Thanks for having me. This is a big deal for anyone who relies on WhatsApp for communication and shares lots of photos and videos.
**[News Anchor]:** Can you explain what’s changed?
**[Sarah Jones]:** For years, WhatsApp backups on Android were effectively unlimited. They didn’t take up any of your precious 15GB of free Google Drive storage. However, Meta, the company behind WhatsApp, announced last November[[1](https://lifehacker.com/how-to-backup-your-whatsapp-conversations-to-google-dri-1828423816)]that this would change in early 2024. And now it’s here.
**[News Anchor]:** So what does this mean for users?
**[Sarah Jones]:** Essentially, those large photo and video-filled WhatsApp backups are now competing with your emails, documents, and other files for space in your Google Drive. This could be a problem for users who are already close to their storage limit.
**[News Anchor]:** That sounds troubling. What should users do?
**[Sarah Jones]:** There are a few options. First, you can manually manage your backups. WhatsApp allows you to choose what content is included, excluding media like photos and videos. Alternatively, you can explore cheaper cloud storage solutions, or even offload your WhatsApp media to your device’s internal storage.
**[News Anchor]:** That’s helpful advice, Sarah. Thanks for shedding light on this important change for WhatsApp users.
**[Sarah Jones]: ** You’re welcome. Remind your viewers to check their storage settings and consider their options before hitting that automatic backup button.