Which WhatsApp feature will no longer be available for free in 2024?
Technology
WhatsApp chat backups will contribute to users' Google Drive storage limits
(Web Desk) - WhatsApp is one of the most widely-used messaging applications across the globe and billions of users connect with each other every day.
For years, Google, the powerhouse behind Android, has provided users with the convenience of backing up their WhatsApp conversations on Google Drive without denting their precious 15GB of free data allowance. But all that is about to change this year.
It was earlier announced that in the first half of this year, these WhatsApp chat backups will start contributing to users' Google Drive storage limits, impacting those relying on the free 15GB quota.
This alteration means that people who have been relying on Google Drive to safeguard their valuable memories and conversations will now need to consider investing in additional storage through WhatsApp with Google One.
This strategic move aligns Android practices with the storage limitations already present in iPhone's iCloud. Google One, the term for subscription plans associated with Google Drive, offers three main plans on a monthly or annual basis.
For those opting for an annual commitment, the charges for the Basic (100GB) plan are £15.99 / $19.99, Standard (200GB) plan costs £24.99 / $29.99, and Premium (2TB) plan costs £79.99 / $99.99.
If you aren't keen on getting a Google One subscription, there is a way to utilise your storage smartly.
Given that photos consume more space, you can open WhatsApp, navigate to Settings, proceed to Storage and Data, and finally select Manage Storage. Here, WhatsApp will provide various methods to effectively reduce storage usage, ensuring you make the most of their free 15GB allocation without additional costs.
On a related note, WhatsApp is also working on a new feature that will allow users to connect with one another, without having to disclose their phone numbers.
