WhatsApp pulls the plug: Important Android function no longer free of charge

Whether it’s vacation photos, birthday greetings, or the address of the Italian restaurant with the delicious pizza, WhatsApp stores countless precious memories. Until now, WhatsApp users with Android smartphones have not had to worry about this – but this will change in a few days. If you’re not careful, you’ll have to pay. iPhone users are already aware of this.

WhatsApp and Google have announced an important rule change affecting Android smartphone backups. From December 2023, WhatsApp backups will count against the Google account storage quota (Source: WhatsApp)

WhatsApp changes backup rules on Android smartphones
If WhatsApp users are not careful and exceed your storage limit, you will either have to make a place – or pay Google for more storage space.

By default, Google provides 15 GB of storage space free of charge, which is also used by other Google services such as Gmail, Google Photos, and Google Drive. If large WhatsApp backups are added to the emails, photos, and documents, the space in the cloud can quickly become full.

With this change, WhatsApp and Google align the backup rules with the iPhone. There, WhatsApp backups are already counted against the free storage quota in iCloud. This also only amounts to 5 GB.

All Android device owners will follow in the first half of 2024
The new backup rule will be introduced gradually. WhatsApp says beta users will be first in line from December 2023. All other Android device owners will follow in the first half of 2024. However, the messenger does not give a more specific time frame. WhatsApp will inform affected users 30 days befor

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