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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* What are some strategies for managing WhatsApp backups to avoid exceeding Google Drive storage limits?
## WhatsApp Backups: A Storage Squeeze Coming?
**Host:** Welcome back to Tech Talk! Joining us today is tech expert [Guest Name] to discuss a recent change affecting millions of WhatsApp users. [Guest Name], thanks for being here.
**Guest:** Pleasure to be here.
**Host:** So, the big news is that WhatsApp backups are going to start counting against our Google Drive storage. For those who may not be familiar, can you explain what this means for users?
**Guest:** Absolutely! Previously, WhatsApp backups, which store your messages, photos, and videos, didn’t take up any of your Google Drive storage space [[1](https://www.androidpolice.com/find-whatsapp-backups-google-drive/)]. But starting this year, that’s changing. Meta, the company behind WhatsApp, announced that backups will now contribute to your 15GB Google Drive limit.
**Host:** That’s a significant shift! Especially for heavy WhatsApp users who exchange a lot of media.
**Guest:** Exactly. Those photos and videos can add up quickly, and suddenly, they’re eating into the same space your emails, documents, and other files are using on Drive.
**Host:** So, what should users do? Should they stop backing up altogether?
**Guest:** No, backups are still essential! They ensure you don’t lose precious conversations and data if your phone is lost or damaged. But it’s definitely time to be more mindful of what you’re backing up. Maybe consider deleting older media you don’t need anymore, or exploring alternative storage options.
**Host:** Great advice. Any other tips for our viewers?
**Guest:** Absolutely! Regularly check your backup size in Google Drive and make sure you’re comfortable with how much space it’s occupying.
**Host:** [Guest Name], thank you so much for shedding light on this important change. This is definitely something WhatsApp users need to know about.
**Guest:** My pleasure!
