Google appears to be testing a new limit that could make a fresh Gmail account far less generous than users are used to. In some cases, accounts created without a verified phone number are reported to receive only 5GB of free storage instead of the long-standing 15GB.
That shift matters because Gmail’s free storage has been one of Google’s clearest selling points for years. For many personal users, the 15GB allowance has been enough to keep email and files in one place without immediately moving to a paid plan.
A limited test, not a broad rollout yet
The change first drew attention through posts on Reddit and conversations on social media, before being picked up by Piunikaweb. Reports tied to the test say the full 15GB becomes available only after a user links and verifies a phone number on the account.
Users who choose not to add a phone number are still able to complete the sign-up process. The difference is that their free storage appears to be capped at 5GB instead.
So far, the signs point to a small-scale experiment. Some reports say the test has been seen in African countries such as Kenya and Nigeria, while there is no indication that the policy has been applied globally.
Why the smaller storage cap stands out
The 5GB figure has attracted attention because it would put new Gmail accounts without phone verification closer to the free storage level offered by iCloud. That is a noticeable change for Gmail, which has long been viewed as offering more free space than some rivals.
It would also affect users who create extra accounts mainly to gain more storage. That practice has been used by some people as a way to avoid paying for additional capacity right away.
If Google expands the test, the practical impact would likely be felt most by those secondary accounts. A new account would still exist, but its free storage value would be much lower unless the extra verification step is completed.
Part of a broader tightening around new accounts
Google has already made it harder in recent years to create Gmail accounts without a verified phone number. In some cases, sign-up without a phone number is still possible, but it is said to be less visible and less actively promoted.
The storage test fits that same direction. It suggests Google is not only using phone verification as a security layer, but also as a way to limit mass account creation and control how new accounts are used.
From Google’s perspective, verified phone numbers can help distinguish real users from accounts created in bulk. That makes the move look less like a simple storage change and more like a broader policy shift around account behavior.
Free tier pressure while premium plans expand
The timing is also notable because Google recently increased storage for AI Pro subscribers from 2TB to 5TB at no extra cost. That has made the possible squeeze on free accounts look even more pronounced to some observers.
There is no official statement linking those two developments directly. Even so, the contrast between a larger premium offering and a smaller free allowance is difficult to ignore.
For now, Google’s help pages still describe new Gmail accounts as receiving 15GB of free storage. Until that changes, the clearest sign remains the limited test affecting some new accounts without verified phone numbers.
