Google has quietly altered the free storage allotment for brand‑new accounts. Where every signup once received a flat 15GB of cloud space, the default now appears to be only 5GB unless the user links and verifies a phone number. A screenshot of the sign‑up flow cites “storage is added only once per person” as the rationale for most consumers.

The change coincided with an update to Google’s support page, which swapped the promise of a full “15 GB” for vague “up to 15 GB.” Wayback snapshots show the wording shift between early February and late March, suggesting the policy is being rolled out gradually in the US market. Most users already must attach a phone number, a requirement that existed before the tweak.

Because the free tier shrinks for accounts without a verified number, light users may hit the limit sooner and be nudged toward paid plans. Exceptions appear on Android devices lacking a SIM, where the higher quota can still be granted. As of now Google has not clarified whether the shift is permanent or part of an A/B test in early 2026.