Google allows users to a large amounts of free storage it’s been a long time, but that gravy train has come to an end. You can still get the storage, but now there’s another requirement: your phone number. New accounts will be received only 5 GB of cloud storagecompared to the 15 GB they used to get. If you want the full amount, you’ll need to hand over your digits. While this may not seem like a big deal, there are significant downsides to being asked to give out your number. especially in terms of privacy.
Requiring a phone number means less storage between accounts
5GB doesn’t go far
There’s technically no limit to the number of Google accounts you can have, and previously each account provided 15 GB of storage. You cannot create more accounts for more storage unless you have multiple phone numbers; each new account will be limited to only 5 GB of storage. Thankfully, existing accounts are not affected.
Since storage is shared across all Google services, including Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos, 5GB doesn’t go far. If you’re a heavy email user, even 15GB is a fairly limited amount. For example, I buy a a lot PR emails are often loaded with images. Despite daily cleanups, my Gmail is constantly on the verge of being full.
On the one hand, I understand. Google is trying to limit how much people can abuse the free storage given to new users. On the other hand, 15GB isn’t much, especially these days.
Phone numbers are often leaked during data breaches
A compromised phone number is a bigger risk than a leaked email
Data breaches are all too common these days, even among tech giants like Google. In 2025 alone, millions of accounts were stolen due to several leaks and again in early 2026. Leaked email address and not that big of a deal here, but phone numbers are a different story. My phone number is linked not only to multiple multi-factor authentication protocols, but also to other personal accounts. This is a bigger security risk than a leaked email.
If my phone number is stolen (not just leaked), it’s harder to replace. I’ve had the same number for twenty years and don’t want to get a new one and update the dozens of accounts it’s linked to.
My phone number is another data point for advertisers
I get enough spam texts already
Google already scans data stored on its servers for advertising and AI training. It’s an unfortunate fact of life that I’ve come to accept (although it has led me to Google some of my daily services). Throwing phone numbers into the mix is another way Google collects data that will inevitably be used by advertisers. This is not an unreasonable concern either; Until 2017, Google scanned Gmail content and it has various programs that detect spam and illegal content. The company is already collecting enough data to verify the need for additional storage. Phone numbers are not necessary.
Google is right – phone verification makes it harder to abuse an account
Phone screening serves a legitimate purpose
Google told Android Authority about it“We are testing a new storage policy for new accounts created in select regions, which will help us continue to provide our users with a high-quality storage service, while also encouraging users to improve their account security and data recovery.” Without a system of checks and balances, users could create multiple accounts and use storage in all of them. This is still possible, although the user must now create three accounts to match the amount of cloud storage previously available in one account.
Checking the phone is not unheard of either. Tons of services require it, including social media. You also do not have to provide your phone number when creating an account. You can then create an account, get 5GB of storage and upgrade to 15GB by submitting your number.
The retention incentive does not justify the privacy costs
These days, online services present an increasingly common problem. If I want verification, I have to provide personal information that I don’t want to give. From my point of view, Google doesn’t need my phone number, especially when the concession is only 10GB of storage. That’s hardly a no-brainer, especially considering how poorly optimized most file types are these days. There are other verification options that pose less privacy and security risks. In addition, this policy makes it difficult for users without a phone number. There are still young users who need email accounts, and even if they don’t use cloud storage, Gmail can quickly reach 5GB on its own.
Google is so much a part of modern life that it gives it unnecessary power
It’s hard to find anything these days that isn’t Google related. If you have a YouTube account – as most of us do – it’s linked to your Google account. Then there’s Gmail, Google Teams, and a number of other platforms that connect through Gmail. It is unreasonable for Google to ask for phone numbers for verification, as there are very few alternatives other than paid ones.
