Google is launching a new app that provides its account users with free backup storage on their iOS smartphones.<\/p>\n
In 2018, the company launched its Google One membership – which provides expanded cloud storage plans.<\/p>\n
The following year it launched an automatic phone backup feature for Google One members who used Android devices.<\/p>\n
This allows users to automatically store device data such as messages, contacts, apps, photos, and videos, keeping these files safe in the event that your device is stolen or malfunctions.<\/p>\n
The company has now announced it is making certain Google One features free for both Android and iOS users in all regions where Google One is available – including South Africa.<\/p>\n
iPhone users will receive a new Google One iOS app that lets them store photos, videos, contacts, and calendar events with Google.<\/p>\n
The app offers users the free 15GB of cloud storage currently included with all standard Google accounts.<\/p>\n
Additionally, the automatic phone backup feature previously only available to Google One members will be free on all Android smartphones.<\/p>\n
Google is also rolling out a new storage manager in the Google One app and on the web to make it easier to manage files stored across Drive, Gmail, and Photos.<\/p>\n
It said this will give users “an easy way to see how you\u2019re using your storage and free up space”.<\/p>\n
“You can keep the files you want, get rid of the ones you no longer need, and make room for more – all in one place,” Google said.<\/p>\n
For those who require more than the 15GB of free storage, a range of paid Google One memberships is available.<\/p>\n
Plans start at R29 per month for 100GB storage and top out at R4,799 per month for 30TB. Certain storage options are also available at a reduced annual price.<\/p>\n
The table below provides the South African pricing for Google One memberships.<\/p>\n