Google tests a “catch” for new accounts that want full free cloud storage

Google is testing a change to the way new accounts receive free cloud storage, according to technology media coverage that cites Google’s own statement. For users who create new Google accounts in select regions, the default free allotment appears to be reduced from the commonly advertised 15GB to 5GB unless the user completes an additional security step, such as linking a phone number.

The reported policy is meant to “help us continue to provide a high-quality storage service,” while also encouraging account security and improving data recovery, Google said in a statement provided through coverage of the change. The same statement also indicates the test is designed to ensure storage is added only once per person.

Under the new approach described by PCMag Middle East, users would still eventually be able to access the familiar “up to 15 GB” tier at no charge, but only after taking the extra step. Without it, users would remain constrained to the smaller default capacity.

The change was initially surfaced by a user online and then confirmed in follow-up reporting. PCMag Middle East said it was “spotted by a Reddit user” and later verified through confirmation attributed to Google in a statement relayed by another publication. The report also said Google has not publicly identified the specific regions where the test is active.

Google’s motivation appears to be both operational and preventive. Storage is used across multiple Google services, and a large share of consumer users rely on it to back up content in places such as Photos, Docs, Sheets, and Gmail. A shift in defaults for new accounts may help reduce risks associated with account creation, while encouraging users to strengthen recovery options.

The policy language has also reportedly shifted on Google’s help pages. PCMag Middle East said Google updated the wording on a support page related to how much storage a Google Account includes “at no charge,” reflecting the new structure for the “up to 15 GB” capacity.

For Alphabet, these kinds of consumer product adjustments are often tied to cost control and capacity planning, even when they are framed as security improvements. Free storage tiers also intersect with AI and media usage trends, since users increasingly store larger image and video libraries that can grow quickly. As Google continues to expand features across its ecosystem, maintaining stable service quality can become harder as free usage scales.

Still, several details remain unclear. The reports do not fully map how the rollout works across platforms, whether existing accounts are affected, or what precise timing triggers the ability to unlock the full 15GB tier. Google also has not publicly disclosed the full list of regions included in the test or how users can verify their current storage tier during onboarding.

What to watch next is whether Google expands the requirement beyond new sign-ups in select regions, and whether it clarifies the user-facing instructions around the phone-number step or other security actions. If the test becomes broader, it could affect onboarding friction for new users and change how quickly consumers hit storage limits that previously were easier to avoid.