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.
#WhatsApp #users #missing #great #convenience
How can WhatsApp users save space on their Google Drive storage while still backing up their chat history?
## WhatsApp Backups: Save Space or Save Memories?
**[NEWS ANCHOR]:** Joining us today is tech expert Sarah Jones to discuss recent changes to WhatsApp backups and what it means for Android users. Sarah, thanks for being here.
**[SARAH JONES]:** Thanks for having me.
**[NEWS ANCHOR]:** So, let’s jump right in. We’ve been hearing that WhatsApp backups are now going to use up Google Drive space. Can you explain what’s happening?
**[SARAH JONES]:** That’s right. WhatsApp backups used to be free and unlimited when it comes to Google Drive storage. This meant users could back up their entire chat history, including photos and videos, without worrying about hitting their storage limit. However, Meta, WhatsApp’s parent company, announced in November 2023 that this is changing [[1](https://faq.whatsapp.com/1144861179456352)].
Starting in early 2024, all WhatsApp backups will count towards your Google Drive’s 15GB free storage limit. For heavy WhatsApp users who have tons of media in their chats, this could be a real problem.
**[NEWS ANCHOR]:** So, what can WhatsApp users do to avoid running out of storage?
**[SARAH JONES]:** There are a couple of options. Users can choose to selectively back up their chats, excluding photos and videos. This will save space but means you won’t have those visual memories backed up. Alternatively, users could consider upgrading to a Google One storage plan for more space.
**[NEWS ANCHOR]:** This is a big change for a lot of people. What are your thoughts on this decision by Meta?
**[SARAH JONES]:** It’s understandable that Meta wants to ensure its service doesn’t strain Google’s infrastructure. However, it does place a burden on users, who may now have to make tough choices about what data they want to save. Ultimately, the best approach is for users to be aware of these changes and proactively manage their storage options.
**[NEWS ANCHOR]:** Great advice, Sarah. Thank you for your insights today.
**[SARAH JONES]:** My pleasure.
