Google to change the storage policy from June 1, 2021: Find details

But starting on June 1, 2021, there will be many changes that users will need to consider for their Google accounts.

What is Google's current storage space and accounts policy?

Google offers 15GB of free storage for every Google account. This storage is allocated to Gmail, Google Photos, Google Drive, Google Sheets, Google Docs, etc. Currently, if you upload express, high-resolution photos and videos to Google Photos, it doesn't count toward the 15GB quota. But if you upload photos and videos in the original resolution, then it does count against storage.

Google also offers paid options for additional storage under the Google One program. It begins at 200GB for Rs 210 per month, 2TB for Rs 650 per month or Rs 6,500 per year, 10TB for Rs 3,250 per month, and 20TB for Rs 6,500 per month.

Google's storage policy changes as of June 1, 2021:

The free lunch is coming to an end, and it won't just affect your Google Photos. Google says, after June 1, 2021, all high-quality, express-quality photos and videos backed up in Google Photos will count towards storage. Other files created or edited in collaborative content creation apps like Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drawings, Forms, and Jamboard will also count against a user's assigned storage.

However, Google says that only files created or edited after June 1, 2021, will count towards the 15GB or more quota. The policy notes, "Files last uploaded or edited before June 1, 2021, will not count toward your quota," so this is an important point to keep in mind. The same applies to photos that were uploaded before June 1, 2021.

What about your existing Google photos?

Your existing Google photos are fine. All photos uploaded before the policy changes will not be counted for storage, so you don't have to worry about entering and deleting them. But you will have to be careful with photos and videos that are uploaded after June 1, 2021, because they will consume the space of your Google account.

For users who have a Google One account that is paid, there is nothing to worry about. But for those with free Google accounts, they will need to be more careful in the future.

What if you exceed the storage limit in your Google account?

Users who exceed the storage limit for 2 years may find that their Gmail, Drive and Photos content ends up being deleted. Users can trust the storage management tool in the Google One app or on the web and delete the content accordingly. Once again, Google will warn you before you decide to delete all your data from the accounts where you are over the storage limit.

This will include email and notifications within Google products, at least three months before the content is eligible for removal. You can always avoid deletion by "paying for additional storage or deleting files." Or you can download the content.