Google has begun counting Android backup data, including SMS, call history, and device settings, towards users' Google account storage quotas. Previously, only Google Photos and MMS messages counted. This change, which started rolling out on July 7th, means that all data previously backed up independently will now consume space within your overall Google storage limit. This shift impacts users who rely on these backups to preserve their phone's configuration and personal messages.

However, Google is introducing more granular control over what gets backed up. Users can now access new toggles within their Android backup settings to manually select specific data types, such as call history, device settings, or individual app data, to be included in their backups. This allows users to be more selective and potentially reduce the storage impact. These controls can be found by navigating to Settings > Accounts and Backup > Google Backup.

Google asserts that the average Android backup is a modest 40MB, suggesting that most users will not experience significant storage limitations. For those with extensive data or who prefer to keep more comprehensive backups, this change might necessitate considering an upgrade to paid storage plans like Google One or Google AI plans. The update is currently rolling out, with existing accounts expected to receive it in the coming months, giving users time to adjust their backup preferences.