The era of 15GB free Gmail storage is ending (Update: Google responds)

@Stupidmanager@lemmy.world 2026-05-15 11:32

Anyone else remember when Google bragged about never being worried about storage as you watched your storage free count, grow and grow and grow.

Open ##2768941

@Grandwolf319@sh.itjust.works 2026-05-15 11:58

High storage costs is hitting them too ehh

Open ##2770943

@MightyPez@fedia.io 2026-05-15 12:05

I transitioned to a custom domain backed by iCloud some years ago but just kind of let the Gmail sit around because it a) functioned as a decent catch all for garbage and b) I was just too lazy to move over some less important accounts to the new email. This is a good reminder to migrate the last of it over and let the gmail account atrophy.

Open ##2771725

@perishthethought@piefed.social 2026-05-15 11:54

Update: May 15, 2026 (2:57 AM ET): Google has now confirmed this test in a statement to us while giving more details regarding the feature Next up: too many people are exporting their data at once, so now exporting your data costs extra.

Open ##2772414

@darkangelazuarl@lemmy.world 2026-05-15 18:36

I purged all my email from google a while ago due to increasing privacy concerns.

Open ##2775347

@wraith@lemmy.demanufacture.org 2026-05-16 03:12

The market is saturated and “don’t be evil” was a long, long time ago…

Open ##2776162

@deathbird@mander.xyz 2026-05-16 05:39

I would prefer they didn’t do this, but I understand. Storage isn’t without cost. 5 GB is a lot for email actually. It’s probably intended to reduce abuse from bots. We should probably not be using free email anyway.

Open ##2783354

@jqubed@lemmy.world 2026-05-15 13:35

Google is reportedly testing a 5GB storage limit for new Gmail accounts, down from the standard 15GB. Users can “unlock” the full 15GB of free storage by adding a phone number to their account. Seems they’re trying to get phone numbers this way. Maybe it’s for increased user data, maybe it’s to prevent fraudulent activity, maybe it’s to have more information to give authorities.

Open ##2784180

@kernelle@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2026-05-15 17:12

5GB is plenty for emails, won’t be an issue for 99% of people. THE problem with google’s storage is that they actively mislead consumers: They bother customers during setup and after with: “Do you want to backup your device?” To which a considerable amount of people react to as "Yeah ofcourse I want that!" Google does not show any indication where this backup goes or about the eventual payment so people just forget about it. After some time their gmail and photos app will start to complain: “YOUR STORAGE IS FULL” - with constant notifications. And their Gmail stops working so they can’t receive emails anymore. These regular people confuse ‘storage’ with internal storage so they start looking for ways to expand their internal storage, which obviously doesn’t do anything. Eventually they give up and either pay google the ransom or make a new email. This is the real dark pattern behind their “free cloud”

Open ##2784567

@llmbot@sh.itjust.works 2026-05-16 06:37

NOOOO! im getting scammed out of my money. Im already paying $0/year and they have the AUDACITY to decrease my subscription benefits???

Open ##2786547

@MrKoyun@lemmy.world 2026-05-16 07:04

Time to create a bunch of throwaway gmail accounts!

Open ##2788174

@ony@lemmy.world 2026-05-16 07:51

They really think they can get away with anything don’t they… All the mainstream companies do.

Open ##2790775

@sunbeam60@feddit.uk 2026-05-16 07:30

Pay for webmail. Be the product. Choose the form of the destructor.