jfid – WhatsApp is the world’s most popular messaging app, with over two billion active users every month. One of the features that make WhatsApp so popular is its ability to backup conversations, photos, videos, and documents to Google Drive for free and unlimited.
However, that is about to change. Starting in early 2024, WhatsApp data will start to eat into your Google Drive storage quota, which means you’ll have to be more careful in managing your files. Otherwise, you might have to pay extra fees to get more storage space, or delete some of your important files.
This change has already started to show for WhatsApp Beta users on Android, and will gradually apply to all WhatsApp Android users throughout the first half of 2024. WhatsApp will notify users with a banner in the “Chat Backup” section in Settings “30 days before this change takes place.”
WhatsApp has also created a special help page, which provides guidelines and an estimated timeline for this change. In addition, WhatsApp has introduced a storage review feature, which allows users to monitor how much of their WhatsApp data is in their storage capacity.
Why Is WhatsApp Changing Its Storage Policy?
WhatsApp and Google first announced their partnership in August 2018, which allowed WhatsApp users to backup their data to Google Drive without eating into their Google storage quota. The goal was to provide convenience and security for WhatsApp users, especially in developing countries where phone internal storage is often limited.
However, this policy had several consequences. First, WhatsApp backups are not end-to-end encrypted, which means Google can access and scan your data. This potentially violates user privacy and security, especially if their data falls into the wrong hands.
Second, WhatsApp backups are not synced with your Google account, which means you cannot recover your data if you change phones or phone numbers. You also cannot move your data from Android to iOS, or vice versa, because WhatsApp backups are not compatible between platforms.
Third, WhatsApp backups are not automatically deleted, which means your data can pile up on Google Drive for years. This can cause resource wastage and costs for Google, which has to provide free and unlimited storage space for millions of WhatsApp users.
Therefore, WhatsApp and Google agreed to change their storage policy, to be fairer and more efficient for both parties. Thus, WhatsApp users are expected to be more responsible and selective in backing up their data, and Google can save storage space and improve its services.
How to Manage Your WhatsApp Files?
If you are a WhatsApp user who often backs up your data to Google Drive, you might be wondering how to manage your files before this change takes effect. Here are some tips you can do:
Check your Google Drive storage quota.
You can do this by visiting the [Google One website] or downloading its app on your phone. You will see how much free storage space is available out of the 15 GB provided by Google, and how much is used by various Google services, including Gmail, Google Photos, and Google Drive.
Check the size of your WhatsApp backup.
You can do this by opening WhatsApp, then go to Settings > Chats > Chat Backup. You will see when your last backup was made, and how big it is. You can also tap “Back up to Google Drive” to select your backup frequency, and “Google Account” to select which Google account you use for backup.
Delete unnecessary old WhatsApp backups.
You can do this by opening Google Drive, then go to Settings > Backups. You will see a list of backups from various apps, including WhatsApp. You can tap the WhatsApp backup you want to delete, then select “Delete Backup”. You can also tap “Manage Backup” to see details of your backup, such as date, size, and type of data stored.
Delete unnecessary WhatsApp files.
You can do this by opening WhatsApp, then go to Settings > Data and Storage > Storage Usage. You will see a list of your WhatsApp contacts and groups, along with the size of data they use. You can tap the contact or group you want to clean, then select “Manage”. You will see how many photos, videos, voice messages, documents, and stickers you sent and received from that contact or group. You can select the type of data you want to delete, then select “Delete Items”.
Reset your WhatsApp backup.
You can do this by opening WhatsApp, then go to Settings > Chats > Chat Backup. You can tap “Back Up Now” to create a new backup of your WhatsApp data, which will replace your old backup. You can also tap “Include Videos” to select whether you want to backup your WhatsApp videos or not. Videos usually have a large size, so it can save storage space if you don’t back them up.
Upgrade your Google Drive storage space.
If you feel that 15 GB free is not enough to store all your WhatsApp data, you may consider upgrading your storage space through Google One service. Google One offers various storage plans ranging from 100 GB to 30 TB, with prices varying depending on your country. You can also enjoy additional benefits such as expert support, Google Store discounts, and sharing storage with family members.
Move your WhatsApp data to another device.
If you want to change your phone or platform, you can move your WhatsApp data without having to back it up to Google Drive. You can do this by using the WhatsApp Chat Migration tool, which allows you to transfer your WhatsApp data from Android to iOS, or vice versa, via a USB cable. This tool is available for WhatsApp Beta users, and will soon be launched for all users.
What Is the Impact of This Change for WhatsApp Users?
This change in WhatsApp’s storage policy may sound disappointing to some users, especially those who are used to the convenience and comfort of free and unlimited backups. However, this change also has a positive side, namely:
Encouraging users to be more aware and wise in backing up their data. With the existence of storage quota restrictions, users will be more selective and think twice before backing up their data. They will also clean and delete unnecessary data more often, thus saving storage space and speeding up the backup process.
Improving user data privacy and security. By reducing the amount of data stored on Google Drive, users will reduce the risk of their data leaking or being misused by unauthorized parties. They will also find it easier to control and delete their data if necessary.
Improving the quality and performance of WhatsApp and Google Drive services. By reducing storage load, WhatsApp and Google Drive will be able to operate more efficiently and smoothly, without experiencing performance degradation or service disruption.
Improving the value and benefits of Google One service. With the need for additional storage space, users may be more interested in subscribing to Google One, which offers various storage plans at affordable prices and additional benefits.
Conclusion
This change in WhatsApp’s storage policy may be shocking and disappointing for some users, especially those who are used to the ease and comfort of free and unlimited backups. However, this change also brings new opportunities and challenges, encouraging users to be more aware and wise in backing up and managing their data.
Thus, users are expected to understand and appreciate the value of their data more, and be more careful in protecting and sharing their data. They are also expected to appreciate and utilize WhatsApp and Google Drive services more, and be more open to trying and subscribing to Google One service.
Finally, this change is proof that the digital world is always changing and evolving, and we as users must always be ready and able to adapt to these changes. So, let’s welcome this change with a positive and proactive spirit, and let’s take this change as an opportunity to learn, grow, and develop together.
