Android users, prepare for a change — WhatsApp backups will soon consume storage in your Google Drive. The company’s updated terms, announced last month, bring an end to the long-standing exemption for WhatsApp data.
While no specific date has been set, users on the app’s beta version are already experiencing the change. This means backups, encompassing chat history, images, and videos, will count towards your Google Drive storage quota, regardless of your free or paid plan.
Meta, WhatsApp’s parent company, confirmed the change will apply to all Android users in the first half of 2024. You’ll receive a 30-day notification beforehand, displayed as a banner in the app’s Chat Backup settings.
For those wary of their chat history bloating their Google Drive, there are alternative options available:
- Direct Transfer: Utilize the built-in WhatsApp Chat Transfer tool to seamlessly migrate your data to a new device. This requires both phones to be on the same Wi-Fi network, but no internet connection is necessary.
- Text-Only Backups: Opt for a more space-efficient approach by backing up only text messages, excluding media files.
This policy shift aligns Android users with iPhone users, who have always had their WhatsApp backups count towards iCloud storage. It serves as a reminder to be mindful of cloud storage usage, particularly with free plans shrinking in size.
So, Android users, plan ahead! Whether it’s transferring chats, trimming down media, or switching to text-only backups, prepare for the new landscape of WhatsApp’s Google Drive storage.
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