Full Breakdown
Google Expands Android Backup Policy to Count All Data Toward Account Storage
7/20/2026, 12:31:36 PM
Core Policy Change
Google announced that, beginning 45 days after the rollout notification, all Android backup data—including SMS messages, call history, device settings, and app settings—will count toward a user’s Google Account storage limit. The update applies to devices running Android 9 or later and introduces on/off toggles and per-app controls that let users select which data types and apps are backed up.
Background & Context
Historically, only images, videos uploaded to Google Photos and “MMS data” (photos + videos) counted against the free 15 GB Google Account storage or any Google One plan. Earlier in July 2026, Google began emailing Android users about the upcoming shift, labeling the notice “New Android Backup Storage Policy & Controls.” The change aligns Android backup handling with Google’s broader storage accounting practices and follows a period of testing new granular backup options.
Data & Statistics
- Google estimates the policy will add about 40 MB on average to a user’s backup size.
- Android Authority’s testing reported an increase of 0.03 GB (?30 MB) for a typical account.
- The new controls allow users to toggle backup of SMS & MMS messages, call history, device settings, and to manage backup on a per-app basis.
Official Statements & Responses
Google’s spokesperson explained the rationale:
> “Android backup lets you save the data on your phone to your Google Account so you can easily restore it or set up a new device. We’ve updated our policy so that all Android backup data now counts toward Google Account storage. We expect this to only add 40 MB on average.”
The company also clarified enforcement details: automatic backups will pause if a user exceeds their storage limit, prompting them to free up space, upgrade their plan, or disable backups entirely. Users can monitor usage through the Google One storage manager and adjust settings via Settings > Accounts and backup > Google Backup > Other device data (Pixel) or by searching “backup” in the Settings app.
Criticism & Opposition
No explicit criticism or opposition was presented in the available sources. The communications focus on informing users and providing new granular controls to mitigate potential storage concerns.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Two sources provide slightly different average-increase figures:
- Google’s official estimate: 40 MB added per account.
- Android Authority’s user-specific measurement: 0.03 GB (?30 MB) increase.
The discrepancy highlights a modest variance in projected impact, but both figures suggest a minimal effect for most users. No data were provided on how the change might affect users with limited storage or on the adoption rate of the new per-app controls.
Verbatim Quotes
- “New Android Backup Storage Policy & Controls.” — Google (email subject)
- “all data included in Android device backups will count toward your Google Account storage limit.” — Google (email)
- “automatic Android backups will pause” until users free up storage or upgrade their plan. — Google (email)
- “If needed, they can also free up storage, purchase additional Google storage, or disable Android backups entirely.” — Google (email)
What’s Next
The policy takes effect 45 days after the email notification, with the rollout beginning July 7, 2026 for new backup users and extending to existing accounts over the following months. Users are encouraged to review the new toggles and per-app settings to manage their storage proactively.
