Google is experimenting with a new Gmail policy that limits some newly created accounts to 5GB of cloud storage unless users add a phone number to their account. Once a phone number is linked, the full 15GB of free storage becomes available.
The company confirmed the trial to Android Authority, explaining that the initiative is being tested in select regions to ensure a “high-quality storage experience.” Google also stated that phone number verification can improve account security and make account recovery easier. However, critics argue that tying the standard storage allocation to phone number submission raises privacy concerns.
There are several reasons why Google may be considering such a move. Adding a phone number can provide an additional method for recovering access to an account. That said, users already have alternative recovery options available, including backup email addresses and recovery contacts.
Google further claims that linking a phone number can help strengthen account protection. However, cybersecurity experts often regard methods such as passkeys, authentication apps, and Google prompts as more secure than SMS-based verification, which remains vulnerable to SIM-swapping attacks, phishing attempts, and other security threats.
Another possible motivation is reducing spam and fraudulent account creation. Spammers and scammers frequently create multiple accounts, and requiring phone verification could make this process more difficult. Still, some regions already mandate phone verification during account registration, while cybercriminals can often access temporary or burner numbers through VoIP services. Additionally, the 5GB restriction may not significantly impact bad actors who only use accounts for short-term activities.
Since Google has described the initiative as a test, it may never become a permanent feature. Nevertheless, some observers question the approach, arguing that restricting two-thirds of the standard free storage allocation until users provide personal information is problematic. A more transparent option, they suggest, would be requiring phone verification during account creation rather than limiting storage afterward.
The reduced storage limit could also affect other Google services. Because Google Drive storage is shared across products, users relying on cloud backups—such as WhatsApp backups—could encounter limitations much sooner under the 5GB cap.
Google has previously incentivized users to enhance account security by rewarding them with additional storage. In earlier years, the company offered an extra 2GB of cloud storage to users who completed a security checkup. By contrast, the current test restricts access to storage users would typically receive for free.
The trial also places Gmail closer to Apple’s free iCloud Mail tier, which offers 5GB of storage. However, competitors such as Microsoft Outlook and Yahoo Mail continue to provide 15GB ori more of free storage in many regions.
Some critics view the test as another example of technology companies gradually reducing the benefits of free services while requesting either payment or additional personal information. Similar concerns emerged when Google Photos ended its unlimited free photo backup policy and shifted users to a shared 15GB storage limit in 2021. Others point to the company's efforts to promote YouTube Premium by making the free viewing experience less attractive.
One positive aspect is that the reported storage restriction currently appears to affect only new accounts. Existing Gmail users who already have less than 5GB of stored data do not seem to be impacted. However, individuals looking to create secondary email accounts may still find the policy inconvenient, despite Google allowing multiple accounts to be linked to a single phone number.
The timing of the test has also fueled privacy debates, particularly among users concerned about sharing additional personal information with major technology companies. As discussions around data privacy and government access to information continue, some users may be hesitant to provide more identifying details than necessary.
For now, the phone number-linked storage limit remains an experimental feature. While Google cites security, account recovery, and spam prevention as key reasons behind the test, questions remain about whether restricting storage is the right way to encourage users to verify their accounts.
