From December 2023, WhatsApp users and Android will start seeing their Google Drive backups count towards their storage limit. This change will start affecting WhatsApp Beta users and roll out to the general public through early 2024.
Before this change, Google was offering WhatsApp users on Android unlimited backup without affecting their storage quota. Here’s what’s going to happen in light of this change.
WhatsApp Backups Will Still Work as Usual
WhatsApp backups on Android will remain functional, provided there is sufficient space in your Google Account storage. If you reach your storage limit, it becomes necessary to create additional space by eliminating unnecessary items to facilitate the resumption of backups.
By default, you’ll have 15GB on your Google Account. WhatsApp backups will eat into this storage. If you delete anything on WhatsApp it’ll also sync up with Google Drive to clear up some space. Your backups will be an exact copy of your app.
To get more storage, you’ll have to get a Google One plan.
What If I Have a Workspace Subscription?
This WhatsApp backup change will not affect you if you are on an active Google Workspace plan from school or work. If your plan runs out, you’ll be reverted to the 15GB personal plan where you’ll have to count WhatsApp backups towards the storage limit.
Create Space for WhatsApp Backups on Google Drive
In the wake of the new changes, WhatsApp backups on Android will be the same as on other platforms. You’ll have to consider your storage quota when backing up your WhatsApp chats. Alternatively, you can back up your chats locally but you’ll lose this if you lose your device.
