WhatsApp Limits Chat Backups on Google Drive for Beta Testers

WhatsApp has reportedly begun limiting chat backups on Google Drive for users who are beta testers of the messaging app. The change, which was announced in November 2023, is part of WhatsApp’s decision to discontinue unlimited free storage for chat backups on Google Drive for both Android and iOS users. Beta testers will now see a banner in the app’s settings notifying them that chat backups will start counting toward their Google Drive storage quota within 30 days. This move is expected to be rolled out to all Android users in the coming weeks or months.

In November 2023, WhatsApp and Google had announced the discontinuation of unlimited chat backups on Google Drive for Android users, with the change set to affect beta testers first and then all users in the first half of 2024. This decision is part of WhatsApp’s effort to align with Google’s storage policies and to encourage users to manage their storage more efficiently.

While WhatsApp offers 15GB of free storage for all accounts on Google Drive, the new policy change means that users will need to monitor and manage their chat backups, especially if they have a large volume of media and messages. Users who exceed their free storage quota may need to consider upgrading to a paid storage plan or manually managing their backups to stay within the free limit.

This move comes in the wake of other technology companies, such as Google, making changes to their free storage policies, signaling a broader shift in the industry towards more sustainable storage practices.