WhatsApp, which is part of Meta, is making a change for Android users regarding the free storage space they get on Google Drive. Before, users could store their chat history, photos, and videos for free. Now, they have to decide whether to get a Google One membership or have their WhatsApp data use up the 15GB storage limit on Google Drive.
Google shared these updates in a post in November, explaining that WhatsApp backups on Android will start taking up space in the Google Account cloud storage. This change started with WhatsApp Beta users in December 2023 and will eventually reach all WhatsApp users on Android in early 2024.
According to the company, WhatsApp will notify users 30 days before these changes take effect, and users can find this information under WhatsApp Settings > Chats > Chat backup. The complete implementation of these changes is expected to reach all users in 2024.
Users who are part of the WhatsApp Beta app are already getting a message saying, “Backups will start using your Google storage in the next few months.” While getting a Google One subscription is a solution for users going over the 15GB limit, the company still allows for data transfer between Android devices.
