WhatsApp to discontinue free Google Drive storage in 2024: Here's what it means for users

Google and WhatsApp jointly announce that WhatsApp chat and media backups on Android devices will now be included in users' Google account cloud storage usage. This change will start rolling out in early 2024, and users will be notified 30 days in advance. The free storage provided by Google is highlighted as being three times greater than what Apple offers through iCloud, taking a subtle dig at iOS.

The WhatsApp backup experience on Android will align with how it operates on other platforms. Android smartphone users are poised to lose a major 'WhatsApp advantage' as Google and WhatsApp jointly announce a shift. The change entails that WhatsApp chat and media backups on Android devices will now be included in users' Google account cloud storage usage.

The recent modifications imply that WhatsApp data saved on Google Drive will soon be included in the 15GB storage limit, giving users the choice to either manage within the limit or opt for a Google One subscription. Last year, Google released a statement about this upcoming change. “As an important heads up, WhatsApp backups on Android will soon start counting toward your Google Account cloud storage limit, similar to how WhatsApp backups are handled on other mobile platforms.

This change will first start rolling out to WhatsApp Beta users starting in December 2023, then gradually to all WhatsApp users on Android starting early next year,” said Google. The popular messaging app revealed that the change will start rolling out in early 2024 and the company will notify the users 30 days in advance about the change.

There will be a banner in WhatsApp Settings > Chats > Chat backup “30 days before this change happens.” In their statement, the company highlighted that the free storage they provide is three times greater than what Apple offers through iCloud. The free storage available with Google accounts is emphasised as being "3X more than most mobile platforms," taking a subtle dig at iOS and iCloud.

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