I made Google Drive’s free plan feel unlimited with these 4 tricks

Google Drive is quite reliable for backing up data, keeping desktops and, especially, phones’ storage free, and ensuring your files are accessible wherever you go. But it has one major flaw: the 15GB storage in its free plan.

Unless you are a power user, it makes no sense to opt for even the cheaper paid Drive storage plan. However, at the same time, the 15GB storage is not something that can be used without worrying about it running out soon. However, these workarounds allow you to have more storage, even with the free plan.

OS

Android, iOS, macOS, Windows

Developer

Google

Google Drive is a cloud storage service that lets you save, access, and share files from any device. It offers 15GB of free space, seamless integration with Google apps, and real-time file collaboration and sharing for productivity.

Compress large files

Minimize the chunky files into smaller chunks

Large files saved on Drive consume significant storage, and a few large files can quickly fill up the 15GB limit. That’s why, when you upload large files, make sure you compress them first.

Compressing files not only saves storage space on the Drive but also reduces data usage during file uploads and downloads. This makes it easier to download larger files while on mobile data.

For the best compression on your Windows desktop:

1. Select your folder, then right-click > Compress to > Additional options.
2. In the new window, set Archive format to ZIP and slide the Compression Level to Smaller (9). Make sure to check the Retain symbolic links box.
3. Now, click Create, and you are all set.

You don’t need to change any other option. The compression process will take time, as it compresses the files to the minimum possible size. However, if you want to save even more space, I’d advise using a third-party compression tool like 7-Zip. It’s a free and open app for Windows that offers even greater compression, so give it a try on your bigger files.

Manage Google Photos

Keep your memories safe, but smaller

At first, Photos backup was free, no matter how many you uploaded in Express quality. That is no longer the case, as Google now considers any backup from Photos as part of Drive storage. Despite this fact, Google still automatically enables the backup option in the Photos app.

This uploads all the pictures and videos we take from your phone to the Drive storage, consuming a significant chunk of the Drive storage. If you want to keep the Photos backup, you can downgrade the Backup quality from Original to Express in the Photos Backup settings. This will reduce picture resolution and compress videos during upload.

Lastly, you can export all the pictures stored in your Drive to your local storage or to self-hosted cloud servers. This ensures better privacy, given the increasing number of data breaches and leaks. Once this is done, you can delete the images and videos (which consume a significant amount of your Drive storage) saved on your Drive, ultimately freeing up space for essential files.

Delete hidden app data

Find the rat that eats the storage behind the scenes

Many apps we use regularly, such as WhatsApp and Google Docs, as well as third-party apps, create backups and save data on Google Drive without your knowledge.

Over time, these hidden app data and backups consume a significant amount of storage space on the Drive. To check if your Drive is experiencing the same issue, go to Drive Settings, then select Manage Apps and check which app is consuming data on your Drive.

Within the Manage Apps section, you can delete unnecessary or old backups, data from apps that you no longer use, or backups and data from apps that are not important.

Use shared folders

Double your Drive storage without actually paying for it

It is easy to link various accounts using a shared folder and increase your Google Drive’s storage for free. First, create a new Google account if you don’t have another one already, and then follow these steps.

1. Sign in to a secondary Google Account.
2. Open Drive and add a new folder.
3. Right-click on the folder.
4. From the pop-up menu, click Share.
5. Again, click Share on the extended menu.
6. Now, from the Share menu, add your primary email address.
7. Here, click on the drop-down menu next to the address bar and choose Editor.
8. Check the Notify people button.
9. Click Done within the share menu.

This is a smart way to increase Drive storage without actually buying a plan. All you need to do is link multiple Google accounts using shared folders within Drive.

When you link multiple accounts with shared folders in one Google Drive, you can access them seamlessly without doubling the storage usage. You can link as many accounts as you want and continue to add the free 15GB space to your primary account.

You can access, download, share, edit, or even delete anything that you have saved in the shared folder from your primary account without needing to sign into the linked accounts. You can even create multiple folders within the shared folder for better organization of the Drive within linked folders.

Expand your free Drive storage without paying a dime

Google Drive is a convenient tool for backing up files and transferring them without needing to fill up your phone storage or invest in a portable storage device for smaller to medium-sized files. However, 15GB is not quite enough, which is why these tips and tricks will ensure that you never run out of drive storage in the free plan.