Google Changes Android Backup Policy to Include SMS and Call Data in Storage Limits

Google is updating its Android device backup policy, affecting users worldwide by changing how backup storage is calculated. Previously, backup storage usage was mainly determined by photos and videos uploaded to Google Photos and multimedia messages, while SMS messages, call history, and system settings did not count against the free 15GB Google account storage. Under the new policy, all data types listed in Android backup settings, including SMS, call history, and device settings, will count toward the same storage quota shared with Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos.

Google states this change aims to enhance transparency and provide users with a clearer understanding of the data stored in the cloud. Alongside the policy update, Google is introducing new controls allowing users to selectively enable or disable backups for SMS, call history, and device settings, rather than having an all-or-nothing backup approach. For the average user, this change will add roughly 40MB to their storage usage, but it could have a more significant impact on users with large backups or those nearing their free storage limit.

The updated backup settings will appear in the "Accounts and Backup" menu on Android devices and under "Google Backup" on Pixel phones, where users can view detailed backup data types and manage what is saved to the cloud. The rollout will begin gradually, first applying to new users activating backup for the first time, and then extending to existing accounts over the coming months.