Google has changed how Android phone backups affect cloud storage. Data that previously received special treatment can now count against the storage allowance shared by Gmail, Google Drive and Google Photos.
The change means call history, SMS and MMS messages, device settings, installed-app information and certain app data may consume space in an Android user’s Google Account. Someone using the standard free plan must fit all eligible content within the account’s 15GB allowance.
This does not mean Android’s entire operating system is being uploaded to Google’s servers. The “system data” description refers mainly to information handled through Android’s backup settings, not the core operating-system files occupying local phone storage.
Google says the average increase should be relatively small, but people already close to their storage limit may still want to review what Android is saving and disable unnecessary categories.
What Google Changed About Android Backups
Android has long allowed users to create cloud backups that simplify moving to a new phone or restoring information after a factory reset. The backup may include messages, call history, settings, contacts, app information and supported app data.
Previously, much of this device information did not count against the user’s Google storage quota. Photos, videos, MMS media and some app data could already consume storage, but several other Android backup categories were excluded.
Beginning with the policy rollout announced in July 2026, Google started counting all data managed through Android’s backup controls against the associated account’s cloud allowance. Google’s updated storage documentation now lists SMS and MMS messages, call logs, device settings and other Android backup data among the content that can use account storage.
Google began rolling out the change on July 7, with additional existing accounts expected to receive it gradually. The relevant controls may therefore appear differently depending on the phone manufacturer, Android version and rollout status.
Android Backups Now Compete With Gmail and Photos
Every standard Google Account includes up to 15GB of free cloud storage. That allowance is shared rather than divided into separate amounts for each service.
Emails and attachments in Gmail consume part of it. Google Drive files occupy the same allowance, while eligible photos and videos uploaded through Google Photos use it as well. Android device backups and WhatsApp backups can now add to that total. Google explains the shared arrangement in its Google One storage overview.
This matters because reaching the limit affects more than phone restoration. A full account may stop receiving Gmail messages, prevent new Drive uploads and suspend Google Photos backups. Emails sent to a completely full Gmail account may also be returned to the sender.
Android backup data may not be the largest category in most accounts, but it becomes important when only a small amount of free space remains.
How Much Storage Will Android System Data Use?
Google estimates that the newly counted Android backup data will add around 40MB for an average device. Against a full 15GB allowance, that amount is relatively modest.
Actual usage can vary. A phone containing years of messages, MMS attachments and supported application data may produce a larger backup. People backing up several current or previous devices may also see more space assigned to the device-backup category.
Photos and videos remain separate from most Android system information and will usually consume considerably more space. WhatsApp backups can also become large when videos are included. Turning off a small device-settings backup while leaving several gigabytes of videos untouched may therefore produce little visible improvement.
The correct response is to check the account’s storage breakdown before disabling anything important. Google’s storage manager shows how much space is being used by supported Google services and available backups.
How to Check What Android Is Backing Up
On many Android phones, the backup menu can be opened through Settings, followed by Google, All services and Backup. Other devices may place the controls under Settings, Accounts and backup, and Google backup.
The page should show the Google Account receiving the backup, the most recent backup time and a section containing backup details. Depending on the phone, separate entries may appear for photos and videos, SMS and MMS messages, call history, device settings, apps and other device data.
Google’s official Android backup instructions confirm that the menu can be used to review saved categories and start a manual backup. A complete backup can take as long as 24 hours to appear.
The menu names are not identical across Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, Motorola, OnePlus and other Android devices. Searching the Settings app for “backup” is usually the fastest way to locate the correct page when the expected path is missing.
How to Disable Other Device Data
Someone who wants to retain photo backups while preventing Android settings and app information from consuming additional cloud space should open the phone’s backup settings and select Other device data.
On supported versions, Android may display a master switch labelled Back up other device data. Turning it off stops future uploads of categories such as call history, device settings, messages and supported app information.
Newer backup controls may also allow individual categories or applications to be disabled. An owner could retain SMS restoration while excluding an unimportant application, for example. This is preferable to disabling every device backup when only one category is responsible for unnecessary storage use. Google introduced the more detailed controls alongside its revised storage policy.
When Android presents a confirmation such as Delete and turn off, the action removes the associated cloud backup and stops future backups for that category. It does not erase the original messages, applications or settings currently stored on the phone.
How to Turn Off the Entire Android Backup
Disabling the full device backup creates a more significant change.
The owner must open Settings, select Google, choose All services, open Backup, and turn off Backup by Google One or the similarly named Android backup switch.
Google states that turning off device backup erases the existing cloud backup, except for content backed up separately through Google Photos. The phone’s local information remains on the device, but it will no longer be available through that Google backup if the phone is lost, damaged or factory-reset.
Google Photos has its own backup control. Disabling the general Android backup does not necessarily stop photographs and videos from continuing to upload through the Photos app. Photo backup must be managed separately by opening Google Photos, selecting the profile image, choosing Photos settings, opening Backup and changing the switch.
Deleting a Backup Does Not Always Stop It Returning
Google allows device backups to be reviewed and deleted through Google One and the Google Account dashboard. Removing an old phone’s backup can be useful when that device is no longer owned or used.
However, deleting a current backup from cloud storage does not always disable future backups. When automatic Android backup remains active on the phone, the device may create another backup later.
The correct order is to change the phone’s backup settings first and then remove the unwanted cloud copy. Google’s storage documentation specifically notes that deleting a backup does not automatically turn off future device backups.
Backups may also be erased automatically when a device has not been used for 57 days. Depending on that rule is less reliable than manually disabling and deleting an obsolete backup.
Should Android Backup Be Disabled?
Turning off Android backup is not automatically the best way to save space.
A device backup can restore messages, call records, settings and supported application information when someone replaces a phone. Without it, rebuilding the device may require reinstalling apps manually, reconfiguring preferences and accepting the loss of locally stored information.
Because Google expects the average newly counted data to occupy only around 40MB, most users will gain more space by deleting large videos, old email attachments, unnecessary Drive files or oversized WhatsApp backups.
Selective controls provide the better compromise. Unnecessary application data can be excluded while important messages and settings remain protected.
Someone already using most of the free 15GB should also inspect Gmail’s bin and spam folders, Google Drive’s largest files and Google Photos’ backup quality before sacrificing the complete phone backup. Google’s storage-cleanup guidance explains how each service contributes to the total.
The New Policy Makes Backup Management More Important
Google’s change turns Android device backups into another competitor for the limited storage shared across Gmail, Drive and Photos.
For most users, the additional amount will be small. The greater concern applies to accounts already close to 15GB, where even a modest device backup can trigger warnings or interrupt important services.
Android owners now have more detailed control over which information reaches the cloud. They can disable individual categories, turn off other device data or stop the complete Google One backup. The decision should be made carefully because recovering cloud storage also removes the restoration copy that could be needed after a lost phone or factory reset.
The strongest approach is not to disable everything immediately. It is to examine the backup, exclude unnecessary data and preserve the information that would be difficult to replace.
