Google has announced a change to how Android backups use Google Account storage. Starting July 7, all data managed through Android backup settings will count toward the storage available in a Google Account. Alongside the update, the company is introducing new backup controls that give users more control over the data included in their backups.
Previously, only photos and videos backed up through Google Photos and MMS media counted toward Google Account storage. Under the updated policy, SMS and MMS messages, call history, device settings, app data, and other information managed through Android backup settings will also count toward the shared storage limit.
Google said the change is expected to increase Android backup size by around 40MB on average.
New backup controls
Google is adding new toggles that allow users to include or exclude:
- SMS and MMS messages
- Call history
- Device settings
The company had already begun introducing per-app backup controls in earlier Android beta builds. These new settings expand the available backup options by giving users additional control over specific categories of backed-up data.
On Pixel devices, the new options can be accessed by navigating to Settings > Accounts and backup > Google Backup > Other device data. Users can also search for “backup” in the Settings app.
How the update affects Google Account storage
Every Google Account includes up to 15GB of free storage shared across Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos. Users with a Google One subscription receive additional storage, with plans starting at 100GB.
With this update, Android backup data—including SMS and MMS messages, call history, device settings, app data, and other supported backup data—will also count toward this shared storage allocation.
Availability
The updated storage policy starts rolling out from July 7 for new Android backup users and will reach existing users over the coming months. The new backup controls for SMS and MMS messages, Call history, and Device settings will roll out over the coming weeks.