Google recently announced new storage policies for Google accounts using Gmail, Google Drive (including Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drawings, Forms and Jamboard files) and/or Google Photos that bring them in line with industry practices.

The new policies will go into effect on 1 June 2021. Below is a summary of the new policies.

Summary of the new policies (effective 1 June 2021):

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If you’re inactive for two years (24 months) in Gmail, Drive or Photos, we may delete the content in the product(s) in which you’re inactive. Google One members who are within their storage quota and in good-standing will not be impacted by this new inactive policy.

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If you exceed your storage limit for two years, we may delete your content across Gmail, Drive and Photos.

What this means for you:

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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.

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After 1 June 2021, if you are either inactive or over your storage limit, we will send you email reminders and notifications in advance and prior to deleting any content.

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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.

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Note: The inactivity and over-quota storage policies will apply only 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.

Learn more about how to keep your account active

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To learn more about how to remain active with these products, visit this Help Centre page.

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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.

Learn how to manage your storage

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Learn more about the over-quota policy and what counts against storage quota.

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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.