Google is changing its policy around Android backups to adjust what counts toward your cloud storage.
Starting on July 7, all data types listed in Android backup settings are included and count toward your storage limit. This now includes SMS messages, call history, and device settings. Previously, Android backups would only count images and videos uploaded to Google Photos and “MMS Data (photos and videos) toward your free 15GB of Google Account storage, or more if you paid for Google One.
Don’t worry, though. The tech giant says that on average this new data should increase your backup size by 40 MB.
Interestingly, Google is also giving Android users more control over what’s included in the backup. Now, per app controls are nothing new, but Google is adding on/off toggles for both SMS and MMS messages, Call history, and Device settings. If you want to access these toggles on a Pixel device, go to Settings > Account and backup > Google Backup > Other device data. You can also search for “backup” in the settings app if that makes it easier.
According to 9to5Google, the new preferences will be rolling out over the coming weeks. The new policy starts today (as mentioned earlier) for new account users and will roll out to existing accounts in the coming months.
Source: 9to5Google
