In a significant update for Android users, WhatsApp chat backups will start affecting GDrive storage space from the first half of 2024. This change, following an update to the terms and conditions by the company, will encompass all aspects of the backup, including chat history, images, and videos. The new policy will apply to both free and paid GDrive tiers.
The Verge reports that this shift is already in effect for beta app users, indicating an imminent broader application. WhatsApp, a Meta-owned platform, intends to notify users 30 days in advance via a banner in the ‘Chat Backup’ section of the app’s ‘Chat’ settings.
For users preferring not to use GDrive for backups, WhatsApp provides an alternative: the WhatsApp Chat Transfer tool. This feature facilitates transferring app-related data to a new device without requiring an active internet connection, although both devices must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
Furthermore, to conserve GDrive space, WhatsApp offers an option to back up only text messages, excluding images and videos. This approach contrasts with Apple iPhone users’ experience, who have not had the benefit of excluding WhatsApp chat backups from counting against their cloud storage, typically capped at 5GB for free users.
This upcoming change marks a notable shift in data management for Android WhatsApp users, aligning them more closely with the existing policies for iPhone users.
