WhatsApp Backup Impact: Changes for Google Drive Users

WhatsApp Backup Updates: How It Will Affect Your Google Drive Storage

In the upcoming months, there will be a notable change for Android users who use Google Drive to protect their WhatsApp conversations. WhatsApp shared a nostalgic Public Service Announcement (PSA) some time ago. And now, the predictions have become a reality. This progress, first discussed in mid-November, is currently in progress for users taking part in WhatsApp’s beta testing programme.

Bid Farewell to Free Google Drive Storage: WhatsApp Backups to be Included in Storage Limit

Beta testers are beginning to notice that Google Drive storage quotas now include their chat and media backups. This means that the storage used by these backups will add to the total limit set by Google Account storage for users who don’t pay, which is limited to 15GB.

This 15GB includes all the data stored on Google Drive. With the inclusion of Google Photos and Gmail, the experience of WhatsApp for iPhone and iOS users is being mirrored.

The difference is that iOS users have a more limited free cloud storage option. It is only 5GB compared to the larger 15GB provided by Google. This change in the handling of backups is not instantaneous for all Android users. Instead, Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, plans to implement it in the first half of 2024. To ensure a smooth transition, consumers will receive a notification 30 days prior. A banner will appear in the Chat Backup settings of the app.

For individuals who would rather not use up their Google Drive storage with WhatsApp data, there are other options accessible. An alternative is to choose local backups and use the included WhatsApp Chat Transfer application to easily move data to a different device. Another option is to use a space-saving method by merely backing up text messages and not including media files. With the changing environment of WhatsApp backups, it is recommended that users consider these alternatives to customise their storage preferences.

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