July 7: Google changed the rules on Android backups — now your texts and call history eat your storage

Starting July 7, 2026, every data type that shows up in Android backup settings counts against your Google Account storage — SMS messages, call history and device settings, not just photos and videos like before. Google says it expects the change to add about 40MB per device on average, and free accounts still get the same 15GB before you have to buy a paid Google One plan. Existing users are getting 45 days' notice by email before it hits their account. It matters because the free 15GB is already where most families keep their photos, and the pile just got bigger without anyone asking for it.