Important changes to storage policies for Google Accounts in 2021
Dear Google user:
We are writing to inform you that in order to be in line with industry practice, we recently announced new storage policies for Google Accounts using Gmail, Google Drive (including files from Jamboard, Docs, Sheets, Presentations , Drawings and Google Forms) or Google Photos. Since you have already used your Google Account storage in at least one of these products, we wanted to inform you about the new policies well before they take effect on June 1, 2021. Below is a summary of the new policies. See this article in our Help Center for a full list of changes.
Summary of new policies (effective June 1, 2021):
• If your account is inactive for 2 years (24 months) in Gmail, Drive or Photos, we may delete the content of the products where you do not have any activity. This new policy for inactive accounts will have no impact on Google One members who do not exceed their storage quota and are in good standing.
• If you exceed your storage limit for 2 years, we may delete the content you have in Gmail, Drive and Photos.
What does this mean for you:
• These changes will have no impact on you, unless you have had no activity or have exceeded your storage limit for 2 years. As this policy goes into effect on June 1, 2021, it will not apply before June 1, 2023.
• After June 1, 2021, if your account is inactive or you exceed your storage limit, we will send you email notifications and reminders in advance and before deleting any content.
• Even if you exceed your storage limit or have no activity on at least one of these services and your content is deleted, you will still be able to access your account.
• Note: Policies for accounts that are inactive and exceed the storage quota will only apply to consumer users of Google services. At this time, the policies for Google Workspace, G Suite for Education, and G Suite for Nonprofits are not changed, and administrators should refer to the storage policies related to their subscriptions in the Administrator Help Center.
More information on how to keep your account active.
• For more information on how to keep your account active on these products, visit this Help Center page.
• The Inactive Account Manager can help you manage specific content and notify a trusted contact if you stop using your Google Account for a specified time (between 3 and 18 months). Note: The new policy for accounts that are inactive for 2 years will apply regardless of your Inactive Account Manager settings. In our Help Center, you can find out more about these changes and ways to manage your account or that of a loved one.
Find out how to manage your storage
• See more information about the policy for accounts that exceed the quota and what takes up space in your storage quota.
• You can use the free storage manager on the Google One website and app to see how you are using your Google Account storage and free up space in Gmail, Google Drive and Google Photos.