Observing the growing demand and to provide users with seamless storage & management experience, the company is making important changes in its Storage Policy (2021-2023). The revised policy will impact services like Google Photos, Google Email, and Drive (including Google Docs, Slides, Sheets, Drawing, Forms, and Jamboard etc.).
What You Need To Do?
The most convenient way to keep all your Google accounts active is to access them regularly. The company will keep sending notifications before their data or account gets deleted permanently. Hence, users have a significant amount of time to take the necessary actions to protect their data and Google account.
Users will be offered new tools with Google Photos app to manage and backup photos and videos easily. Using the new feature, you can analyze and review which memories are important to keep and other photos/videos which you can delete. (Such as blurry, dark and large files. )
The company is offering subscription services starting at $1. 77 for 100 GB cloud storage per month.
The revised policy will kick-in from June 1, 2021. Hence, users have a significant amount of time to take advantage of unlimited free storage plan and backup their important data timely.
Google says, “The earliest anyone will find their data deleted is June 21, 2023. So, users have three years to comply. ” They will regularly send you nag emails to remind you that your account and data might get deleted.
Additionally, the company has made changes in the retention policies for items that are in Trash as well. With the new policy, any file stored in Google Drive Trash will automatically be deleted after 30 days.
Must-Read: How To Download Your Google Data: Using Google Takeout?
I Am Not Sure If I Can Stay Active Once Every 2 Years, What Should I Do?
If you don’t have a reliable Internet connection or you think you might not be able to access the Google accounts periodically, you can use Inactive Account Manager. The platform will help you manage your data and even help you to notify a trusted contact if your Google account has been inactive for 3 to 18 months.
Additionally, you can download your data and back it up at any time!
So, Why Google Is Making These Changes?
It would not be a big surprise to know that Google is revising its storage policy, considering the fact that it has now over 1 Billion users for each of its services. So, providing free storage for each product may not be a feasible choice. Google’s new move will likely push users who were on the edge of making payments for its cloud storage solution and those who have become highly dependent on Google Photos for storing and managing their photo and video collection.
Google is all set to offer paid options for getting extra storage with its Google One service.
How To Manage Your Storage?
To help users manage their Google account and entire storage, they are offered to use the dedicated storage manager – Google One, through app or web browser.
What Is Google One?
Google One is a subscription model that offers more storage space to use across Google services like Drive, Gmail & Photos app. You can enjoy multiple benefits with Google One:
It offers a Full Quality backup plan. (Beneficial for professionals who would like to retain photos & videos in the best quality possible without any compromise. )
Offers 24*7 support for its customers through: Messages, Phone Calls and Emails.
Has member benefits on Hotel Bookings, discounts for Renting Movies on Google Play Movies.
Google One users will be offered Google Play Credits periodically, which can be used to purchase apps, books and movies on Google Play Store. Gives an opportunity to share your Drive Storage with up to five members of your family or friends. They can enjoy the same benefits too!
I Don’t Want To Pay & I Have Lots Of Photos On Google. Does It Mean I Have To Delete All My Previously Stored Data?
As we have already mentioned, all the data stored before June 1, 2021, will continue to be a part of the free storage plan. So, if you have somehow managed to upload more than 15 GB of storage space to your Google account till date, don’t panic! You don’t have to delete them!
But all the data uploaded after June 21, 2021, will be counted against your free storage plan, and if you want to continue using the service by uploading more data, you need to upgrade by purchasing a plan for Gmail, Drive and Photos app.
Does The New Storage Policy Is Applicable For G-Suite Accounts?
No, the revised policy is not applicable for G-Suite or Workspace accounts.
Next Read:
Right Backup by Systweak Software is a clever option that can help you manage your precious data without putting much effort. It offers affordable packages and makes accessing your photos, videos, documents and other multimedia files a hassle-free process. Just login with your Right Backup credentials and get your files using any device, anytime.
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If you have any queries or want to know more about the updated policy revealed by Google, do write to use at [email protected] or you can mention it in the comments section below!
