WhatsApp is set to discontinue its “unlimited storage” option for chat backups. This change, a collaboration between the Meta-owned platform and Google, will see the removal of the unlimited backup quota, with users being informed in advance.
The new policy is currently being tested in the WhatsApp Business beta for Android version 2.23.24.21, as per WaBetaInfo. Beta testers will experience these changes soon, with a broader rollout expected next year.
Under the new system, WhatsApp backups will align with the iOS approach, allowing users to back up their data at no additional cost, provided they stay within their Google account’s 15GB limit or any other Google One plan they may have.
This shift from unlimited to limited storage will notably impact Android users who have grown accustomed to unrestricted and automatic data backups. Those reaching the 15GB cap will need to clear some space to continue backing up their chats.
The change is likely to be most significant for users who frequently send multimedia messages, which contribute to larger backup sizes.
WhatsApp has implemented several adjustments to its backup feature, including reducing backup sizes. These modifications are designed to help users back up more data within the 15GB limit.
To adapt to these changes, users can:
Clean up Google Drive backups: Review and remove unnecessary or outdated items from your WhatsApp chat history to ensure only vital data is backed up.
Modify auto-download settings for media: Adjust these settings to have better control over what gets included in your backup, as auto-downloaded files are backed up by default.
Discard old chats: Deleting non-essential conversations can help reduce backup data volume, allowing for more efficient use of the limited storage.
Use disappearing messages: Enable this feature in specific chats to automatically delete messages after a set period, helping to keep backup sizes manageable and mitigating the impact of the new storage limits.
