Android users with free Google accounts may see their available storage fill up sooner as local documents are now included in device backups. The change means files stored in a phone’s Documents folder can count against the same 15 GB account limit used for other Google data.
Against that backdrop, Tecno is offering 256 GB of free cloud storage for three years to buyers of the Tecno Pova 8 5G. The offer is separate from the phone’s built-in storage, but it is limited to that specific model.
What changed in Android backups
Google began implementing the revised Android backup system on July 7, 2026. The update is intended to make data restoration easier when users move to a different phone.
Previously, Android backups generally covered app data, device settings, call history, and SMS messages. Documents saved locally in the Documents folder were not automatically backed up to Google’s cloud storage.
The new system adds those local documents to the backup alongside other Android data. As a result, users may consume their Google storage allocation more quickly than under the earlier arrangement.
Free Google accounts have a 15 GB storage limit for Android backups and other information stored in the account. Users who keep substantial local documents on their phones may therefore need to monitor their remaining capacity more closely.
Tecno cloud offer applies to three variants
Tecno Pova 8 5G was released in Indonesia on July 15, 2026, with three RAM and internal storage configurations. Every listed variant receives the same 256 GB cloud benefit for three years.
| Model | RAM | Internal Storage | Cloud Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tecno Pova 8 5G | 6 GB | 128 GB | 256 GB for 3 years |
| Tecno Pova 8 5G | 8 GB | 128 GB | 256 GB for 3 years |
| Tecno Pova 8 5G | 8 GB | 256 GB | 256 GB for 3 years |
To receive the storage, users must create a Tecno ID through the device settings and sign in. The cloud benefit becomes available directly after login, with no additional activation process required.
Tecno PR Manager Anthoni Roderick said users would receive the capacity once they signed in. “After login, users can get 256 GB of free cloud storage for three years,” Anthoni said, as reported by tekno.kompas.com.
Not a Google Cloud benefit
The service used in the program belongs to Tecno and is not Google Cloud or another third-party cloud platform. It currently remains exclusive to Tecno Pova 8 5G users.
The free period ends after three years, after which users will need a subscription to continue using the cloud storage. Tecno has not disclosed the subscription arrangement that will apply after the promotional period.
The company has indicated that a similar benefit could be expanded to other smartphones in the future. However, it has not detailed the technical plan or identified any additional models that may receive it.
For users facing tighter limits within Google’s free 15 GB allocation, Tecno’s separate cloud service offers another storage option. Its availability, however, depends on purchasing the Tecno Pova 8 5G and remains subject to the three-year free period.