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 those 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 previously offered free unlimited storage to users, but later limited it to 15 GB of storage.
#WhatsApp #users #missing #great #convenience
How can WhatsApp users manage their storage in light of this change?
## Interview: WhatsApp Backups Now Count Towards Google Storage
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Today we’re discussing a change that’s sure to impact many WhatsApp users: the inclusion of backup data in Google Drive storage limits. Joining us to unpack this is tech expert, Alex Reed. Welcome to the show!
**Alex Reed:** Thanks for having me!
**Host:** So, Alex Reed, for our listeners who might not be aware, can you explain what this change entails?
**Alex Reed:** Essentially, WhatsApp backups used to be free and unlimited on Google Drive, meaning they didn’t count towards your 15GB free Google storage. However, as reported by Android Police [[1](https://www.androidpolice.com/find-whatsapp-backups-google-drive/)], Meta announced in November 2023 that this would change starting January 2024. Now, those backups will consume your Google Drive storage space.
**Host:** And what impact will this have on users, especially those who rely heavily on WhatsApp for photo and video sharing?
**Alex Reed:** It could be significant. Many people use WhatsApp as their primary photo and video sharing platform, leading to large backup files. Those backups will now eat into their Google Drive storage, which could lead to storage issues and potential subscription costs for additional space.
**Host:** What’s your advice for users who want to avoid running out of storage?
**Alex Reed:** The best course of action is to be proactive. Review your WhatsApp backup settings and consider either reducing the frequency of backups or excluding media from them. This might involve manually backing up important media to other platforms.
**Host:** That’s great advice. Any final thoughts for our viewers?
**Alex Reed:** Just be aware of the change coming and start managing your WhatsApp backup data now to avoid surprises later.
**Host:** Great advice! Thank you, Alex Reed, for shedding light on this important topic.
**[Disclaimer: This is a sample interview and may need to be adapted based on specific guest expertise and the desired tone of the show.]**
