Google recently announced storage policies for Google accounts using Gmail, Google Drive (including Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drawings, Forms and Jamboard files) and / or Google Photos.
Policies on Google account storage will be effect on 1 June 2021.
If you’re inactive for two years (24 months) in Gmail, Drive or Photos, Google may delete the content in inactive accounts. Google One members who are within their storage quota and in good-standing will not be impacted by this new inactive policy.
If you exceed your storage limit for two years, Google may delete your content across Gmail, Drive and Photos.
You won’t be impacted by these changes unless you’ve been inactive or over your storage limit for two years.
As this policy goes into effect 1 June 2021, the earliest it would be enforced is 1 June 2023, Google said.
After 1 June 2021, if you are either inactive or over your storage limit, Google will send email reminders and notifications in advance and prior to deleting any content.
Even if you are either inactive or over your storage limit for one or more of these services and content is deleted, you will still be able to sign in.
Learn more about the over-quota policy and what counts against storage quota.
The inactivity and over-quota storage policies will apply to consumer users of Google services. Google Workspace, G Suite for Education and G Suite for Nonprofits policies are not changing at this time, and admins should look to the Admin Help Centre for storage policies related to their subscriptions.
The Inactive Account Manager can help you to manage specific content and notify a trusted contact if you stop using your Google account for a certain period of time (between 3–18 months). Note: The new two-year inactive policy will apply regardless of your Inactive Account Manager settings. You can learn more about these changes and ways to manage your or a loved one’s account in our Help Centre.
You can use the free storage manager in the Google One app and on the web to see how you’re using your Google account storage, and free up space across Gmail, Google Drive and Google Photos.
