WhatsApp is one of the world’s most popular chat messaging programmes, and for good reason. It’s simple to use, compatible with most cellphones, and safe – but best of all, it’s free.
However, due to a Google announcement, this is going to change for some WhatsApp users.
On Android phones, WhatsApp backups will count towards your personal Google account’s cloud storage limit beginning early next year.
Backups are copies of your chat history, including all messages, photos, and videos, that you may recover if you lose your phone or replace it.
On Android, you have to backup your WhatsApp chats in the app by linking your personal Gmail account.
The backups live in Google cloud storage, but do not count towards your personal account’s limit, which is at least 15GB for all Google account holders.
Under the change, backups will count towards your storage – so if this tips you over the 15GB free cloud storage limit, you’ll have to pay Google for more storage.
Google stated in a blog post that the upgrade will first be available to those on the WhatsApp beta in December 2023, with the rest of the world receiving it in early 2024.
“WhatsApp backups on Android will continue to work, as long as you have available space within your Google Account storage,” a Google community manager said. “If you hit your storage limit, you’ll need to free up space to resume backups by removing items you do not need.
You can view all the pricing for extra Google cloud storage here. WhatsApp users on iPhone have long had to have their backup count against their iCloud storage, of which Apple only gives everyone 5GB for free.
Google is reversing a decision it made in 2018 to offer backups for free, reverting to the original situation that Android WhatsAppers will again find themselves back in come 2024.
Ranging from notes to loved ones to family photos, addresses, and others, backing up your files from your phone is a must. If you lose your phone and do not back up your chats to your Google account, you will be unable to recover them, and those priceless moments would be lost forever.
If you’re looking for a more reliable solution for back ups, you may also use PhotoSafe as an all-in-one alternative.