Don't worry - Google Drive is already removing its new file limit

GDrive
(Image credit: Google)

Google appears to have already stepped back from introducing a file limit to its online cloud storage platform.

Earlier this week, reports began to surface from Google Drive users across the globe that they had encountered new notifications about a seemingly newly-introduced account limit of five million files.

However, Google Drive has now officially responded to the reports, revealing that it will not be introducing a limit after all, and reassuring users that their files are safe.

There's no limit

"We recently rolled out a system update to Drive item limits to preserve stability and optimize performance," the company's official Twitter account said. "While this impacted only a small number of people, we are rolling back this change as we explore alternate approaches to ensure a great experience for all."

"If we need to make changes, we will communicate them to users in advance."

The move was met with some alarm by Google Drive customers, who received no warning of the change, suggesting it may have been a mistake on the company's part.

The wording of the warning notification certainly didn't reassure users, who were confronted with a message reading, "Error 403: This account has exceeded the creation limit of 5 million items. To create more items, move items to the trash and delete them forever."

One Reddit user was even given a notification telling them to, "Please delete 2 million files to continue using your Google Drive account."

As we noted in our original story, five million files is a pretty big allowance in real terms. For users on Google Drive’s 2TB offering - the highest personal plan available - the average file size across an account would have to be 400 kilobytes (KB). 

That being said, there are certainly some instances where users may have that many files, for instance in the storage of large amounts of record data - but for the vast majority, users shouldn’t hit their limit, whatever Google decides that will be.

Mike Moore
Deputy Editor, TechRadar Pro

Mike Moore is Deputy Editor at TechRadar Pro. He has worked as a B2B and B2C tech journalist for nearly a decade, including at one of the UK's leading national newspapers and fellow Future title ITProPortal, and when he's not keeping track of all the latest enterprise and workplace trends, can most likely be found watching, following or taking part in some kind of sport.

Read more
unlimited cloud storage
Best unlimited cloud storage deals in 2025
A cloud icon on a desk in front of a laptop.
Best cloud document storage of 2025
A young man working on laptop in office writing notes
Best Dropbox alternative of 2025
Cloud storage apps on phones.
Best free cloud storage of 2025
Verizon logo on a building with blue sky above
Millions of Americans are missing out on cheap unlimited cloud storage - how to check if you are one of them
Google Maps
Nightmare Google Maps glitch is deleting timelines, and there isn't a fix yet
Latest in Software & Services
woman listening to computer
AWS vs Azure: choosing the right platform to maximize your company's investment
A person at a desktop computer working on spreadsheet tables.
Trello vs Jira: which project management solution is best for you?
Autonomous finance
Quickbooks vs Quicken: what are the main strengths and weaknesses for your business
finance
Quickbooks vs Xero: which is the best for your business?
Group of people meeting
Zoom vs Google Meet: which is the best video conferencing tool for your business?
Fingers typing on a computer keyboard.
Microsoft 365 Personal vs Microsoft 365 Family: are there any real differences?
Latest in News
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max REVIEW
The latest batch of leaked iPhone 17 dummy units appear to show where glass meets metal on the new designs
Hornet swings their weapon in mid air
Hollow Knight: Silksong could potentially launch this year and I reckon it could be a great game for an Xbox handheld
ransomware avast
Ransomware attacks are costing Government offices a month of downtime on average
Cassian looking at someone off-camera from a TIE fighter cockpit in Andor season 2
Star Wars: Andor creator is taking a stance against AI by canceling plans to release its scripts, and I completely get why
Nintendo x Seattle Mariners partnership
The Nintendo Switch 2 logo will be featured on the Seattle Mariners' baseball jerseys this season
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Review
Siri's chances to beat ChatGPT just got a whole lot better