Google is changing how Android cloud backups use your storage, and some users may soon notice their available space shrinking slightly.
Until now, Android phone backups counted only certain types of data toward your Google account storage limit. Photos and videos stored in Google Photos, app data, and MMS messages already used part of your cloud storage. However, other backup items such as SMS messages, call history, and system settings were saved without affecting your storage quota.
That policy is now changing. Google is beginning to count SMS messages, call history, and device settings as part of the storage used by Android cloud backups. According to the company, the average Android backup will increase by around 40 MB because of the change. For most users, that is a small amount, but it may matter to anyone already close to the 15 GB free storage limit included with a Google account.
The update is not only about using more storage. Google is also adding more detailed backup controls, giving Android users better control over what gets saved to the cloud. Once the new options arrive, users will be able to choose more precisely which data is included in their backup. That means you can turn off backups for individual apps, disable SMS and MMS backup, or prevent call history from being stored if you want to reduce cloud storage usage.
The new Android backup controls will roll out gradually over the coming weeks on compatible devices. Pixel phones are expected to receive the update first, followed by other Android smartphones later.
Google currently provides 15 GB of free cloud storage shared across services such as Google Drive, Gmail, Google Photos, and Android backups. Users who need more space can upgrade through Google One. The entry-level plan offers 100 GB of storage for $1.99 per month, while larger plans include 2 TB of storage for $9.99 per month. Google also offers a higher-tier option priced at $19.99 per month, which includes 2 TB of storage along with access to additional AI-powered features.
For Android users, the key takeaway is simple: cloud backups are becoming a little more complete, but they may also take up slightly more of your Google storage. If your account is running low on space, it may be worth reviewing your backup settings once the new controls appear on your device. Disabling unnecessary backup categories could help free up space without requiring an immediate upgrade to a paid storage plan.
