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 people 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 initially offered free unlimited storage to users, but then limited it to 15 GB of storage.
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How can WhatsApp users with large backups avoid exceeding their Google Drive storage limit?
## Running Out of Space? WhatsApp Backups Get Real in 2024
**Interviewer:** Joining us today is tech expert Alex Reed. Thanks for being here. Recent news about WhatsApp backups has caused quite a stir. Can you break it down for us?
**Alex Reed:** Absolutely. For years, Android users enjoyed unlimited Google Drive storage for their WhatsApp backups. However, that’s changing. As of early 2024, WhatsApp backups will start counting towards your 15GB Google Drive storage limit. [[1](https://www.androidpolice.com/find-whatsapp-backups-google-drive/)]
**Interviewer:** So, what does this mean for people who rely on backups, especially those with lots of photos and videos?
**Alex Reed:** If you’re a heavy WhatsApp user, relying on Google Drive for backup, then this is important. Photos and videos can take up a lot of space. If you exceed your 15GB limit, you might face issues accessing your files or even have to pay for additional storage.
**Interviewer:** What are some alternatives for people who want to keep their data safe without clogging up their Google Drive?
**Alex Reed:** There are a few options. First, you can be selective about what you back up. Maybe focusing on crucial chats instead of every single photo or video. Second, explore cloud storage solutions other than Google Drive. Or, consider backing up directly to your computer or an external hard drive.
**Interviewer:** Great advice. Any last thoughts for our viewers on how to navigate these changes?
**Alex Reed:** Stay informed! Keep an eye out for updates from WhatsApp and Google regarding this change. Be proactive and evaluate your backup strategy now to avoid any surprises in 2024.
