Google confirms a new storage policy test, after some users reported that new Gmail accounts get 5GB, not 15GB, of free storage if they don't add a phone number

Google is experimenting with slashing free storage for new Gmail accounts. Some users creating fresh accounts have discovered they're getting just 5GB of free storage — a significant cut from the standard 15GB shared across Google services.

The catch? Adding a phone number to the account bumps storage back up. Google has officially confirmed the test is underway.

The move appears designed to push new users toward phone verification, likely as an anti-spam and anti-abuse measure. Burner Gmail accounts just got a lot less useful.

For existing users, nothing changes — yet. But the test signals Google's willingness to use storage as leverage to collect more personal data from its users. Whether this rolls out broadly remains to be seen, but the 5GB limit would make Gmail's free tier considerably less generous.