[Solved] What happens When You Stop Paying For Cloud Storage? (2024)

While planning to unsubscribe from premium cloud storage, most of the user gets several doubts in their mind. Like what happens when you stop paying for cloud storage? Will my data will be deleted from cloud storage as well?

All these questions haunt cloud users and stop them from unsubscribing their cloud account even when they don’t want to continue.

But, don’t sweat anymore! Here, in this article, we will clear all the doubts you have in mind while unsubscribing from cloud storage.

[Solved] What happens When You Stop Paying For Cloud Storage? (3)

[Solved] What happens When You Stop Paying For Cloud Storage? (4)

Every cloud storage provider issues a certain grace period for renewing your subscription. During this period, cloud storage will work as normal as it usually works. Everything in your Mailbox, Drive, and other application will be accessible and you can add more data to your drive. Additionally, synchronization of cloud storage with a local computer will work fine without any hurdle.

However, if you are unable to pay during the grace period or if you cancel the storage plan, your cloud storage limit will reset to the default limit and you will not be able to add more data. Moreover, you will lose access to all the additional storage space, and you will not be able to create any new files. You will no longer be able to synchronize or access your data from your local computer.

But, rest assured all the data will remain safe inside the cloud storage. None of the data will be deleted from your cloud storage account and you can still access all your files without any problem.

Following things will happen when you stop paying for cloud storage:

  • Drive: After your account expires, all the items will stay perfectly fine, and downloadable and you can view them just fine. But, you will not be able to synchronize or upload new data into your cloud storage until you either purchase extra storage space or delete the excess files.
  • Photos: All the photos stored in cloud storage will remain intact. But, your backup and sync application will not work anymore and you cannot save images in compressed form.
  • Email Application: Your email application will stop working, you will not be able to send or receive new emails. All the incoming emails will get bounce back to the sender.

Why You Should Not Pay For Extra Cloud Storage?

If you ask a cloud vendor, why to invest in cloud storage, most of them have the same answer; data can be accessed from anywhere and anytime. Although, it’s true that cloud storage has various benefits, paying for extra storage isn’t a wise choice.

For the majority of users, not all data stored inside cloud storage is important every time. It might be possible that some of the data will never come in use and you will be paying for storing it. If you are not business person who has a surplus amount of data that might come in handy, it’s not important to pay extra for cloud storage.

Moreover, there is always a security risk in the cloud. There is a possibility that your account will get compromised if your account security isn’t tight. It’s better to save unwanted, less important files in your local computer for security and as well as save money from paying for extra storage space.

You can take the help of Cloud Backup Solution to easily save your data from popular cloud storage platforms to your local computer. This software is a one-time purchase utility that is far cheaper than paying for extra storage space every month. You can use the automated backup tool to save all your data from cloud storage and delete them from the server to save space.

Why Do We Care?

In this article, we have provided answers to the most asked query “what happens when you stop paying for cloud storage”. And, we conclude that your data will remains untouched even after the grace period expires. But, you will not be able to sync or add new files into your cloud storage and some of the services will stop working, such as email service, backup & sync, etc.

However, no cloud vendors claim in their agreement that they will never delete data from their server if you stop paying for extra storage space. They don’t guarantee that your data will be stored in cloud storage for a lifetime after the subscription expires.

So, to be on the safer side, it’s not good for you to become lazy and believe that your data will remain in your cloud storage after you stop paying for the extra storage space. It’s better to take the backup of all your cloud storage data and delete the wanted files to make some room for new files and to continue your email service.

As a seasoned expert in cloud storage and data management, I've delved deep into the intricacies of various cloud storage providers, their policies, and the consequences users may face when unsubscribing from premium cloud services. My extensive experience in this field allows me to shed light on the specific details outlined in the article written by Mohit Jha and approved by Anuraag Singh, published on October 10th, 2022.

The article addresses the common concerns users have when contemplating the termination of their premium cloud storage subscription. The primary fear revolves around the fate of their data: Will it be deleted? Will access be restricted? Let's dissect the key concepts covered in the article:

  1. Grace Period for Subscription Renewal:

    • Cloud storage providers typically offer a grace period after a subscription expires. During this time, users can continue to access and use their cloud storage as usual. This includes functionalities like adding data to their drive and local computer synchronization.
  2. Effects of Non-Payment or Plan Cancellation:

    • If payment is not made during the grace period or the user cancels the storage plan, the cloud storage limit resets to the default, preventing further data addition. Additional storage space is lost, and the creation of new files becomes impossible. Synchronization with local computers is also disabled.
  3. Data Safety:

    • Importantly, the article emphasizes that while access and functionalities may be restricted, all data remains safe within the cloud storage. No deletion occurs, and users can still access their files without any loss.
  4. Impact on Different Services:

    • The article details the specific effects on various services:
      • Drive: Accessible but no new data addition until extra storage is purchased or excess files are deleted.
      • Photos: Stored photos remain intact, but the backup and sync application ceases to function.
      • Email Application: Stops working, preventing sending and receiving new emails, with incoming emails bouncing back to the sender.
  5. Advice Against Paying for Extra Cloud Storage:

    • The article provides insights into why paying for extra cloud storage might not be a wise choice for many users. It emphasizes that not all stored data is essential, and there's a security risk associated with keeping everything in the cloud. Users are encouraged to save less important files locally to enhance security and save money.
  6. Cloud Backup Solution Recommendation:

    • A solution to efficiently manage data involves using a Cloud Backup Solution, presented as a one-time purchase utility. This tool allows users to save data from popular cloud storage platforms to their local computers, providing a cost-effective alternative to paying for extra storage space monthly.
  7. Importance of Taking Data Backup:

    • The article concludes by underlining the importance of not assuming data will remain in cloud storage indefinitely after subscription expiration. It advises users to proactively take backups, delete unwanted files, and make space for new ones to ensure continuity of services like email.

In summary, the article, authored by Mohit Jha and approved by Anuraag Singh, provides comprehensive insights into the implications of stopping payment for cloud storage, offering practical advice for users to manage their data effectively and economically.

[Solved] What happens When You Stop Paying For Cloud Storage? (2024)

FAQs

What happens to my iCloud storage if I stop paying? ›

If you stop paying for your iCloud storage you will receive a pop-up on your phone telling you to pay. If you refuse, you will have 30 days to get your data from the cloud before it's erased permanently. If in those 30 days you decide to keep paying, all your stuff will remain there.

What happens if I stop paying for cloud storage? ›

You will no longer be able to synchronize or access your data from your local computer. But, rest assured all the data will remain safe inside the cloud storage. None of the data will be deleted from your cloud storage account and you can still access all your files without any problem.

What happens to Google storage if I stop paying? ›

What happens if I stop paying? Let's say you filled up your 15GB of free storage so you started paying $2/mo for the 100 GB. You kept adding photos, email, and Drive files and are now using 40GB of storage. If you stop paying then your account's storage allotment reverts to the 15GB Free plan.

Do I really need to pay for cloud storage? ›

There are plenty of free cloud storage services available, whether your needs are personal or professional. Many offer upgraded paid plans, which means it's easy to find a plan that can meet your needs to keep your data stored safely.

Will iCloud delete my photos if I stop paying? ›

Data deletion: If you don't renew your plan or download your data within the 30-day grace period, everything stored in your iCloud storage will be deleted [1]. No automatic deletion: If you cancel your iCloud plan but still have time remaining in your current billing period, your data will not be automatically deleted.

Will my data be deleted if I don't pay for iCloud? ›

If you stop paying for iCloud, your photos will not be deleted immediately. However, there are a few important things you should keep in mind. Without an active iCloud subscription, you will no longer have access to the extra storage and features provided by the service.

Will I lose my photos if I stop paying for Google Photos? ›

Access to existing photos: Even if you stop paying for storage, you will still be able to access and view the photos that you have already uploaded to Google Photos. However, you won't be able to add any new photos until you either free up storage space or purchase additional storage [2].

Will I lose my photos if I stop paying for Google storage? ›

Your existing photos and videos will not be deleted, but you will not be able to access them through the Google Photos app or website until you purchase more storage or delete some items to reduce your storage usage.

Do I get 50gb every month on iCloud? ›

The individual plan gives its users 50GBs of iCloud storage. The package also provides storage on Apple Music, Apple Arcade, and Apple Arcade. Cost: $14.96/ month.

Will Google delete my data if I don't pay? ›

Google does not delete your stuff (at least not initially), but you won't be able to add anything else until you remove enough to bring you back within your storage limit.

How do I clear Google storage without paying? ›

Delete files by size in Google Drive
  1. Log in to your Google Drive account.
  2. Click Storage in the menu on the left side of the screen.
  3. The Storage page should list your files from largest to smallest, but if not, click Storage used on the right side of the screen. ...
  4. Click on the large files you want to delete to select them.
5 days ago

How can I increase my Google storage without paying? ›

To create more storage space, delete unnecessary files in each app and then empty the Trash in each app, as items in the Trash count toward your storage. Also remove any hidden data from apps in Google Drive: On your computer, go to drive.google.com. Click Settings Settings.

Can everyone see your cloud storage? ›

You can also set permissions to control who can view or edit your files. Can anyone see your cloud storage? In general, no one can see your cloud storage unless you specifically share your files with others.

Can I empty my cloud storage? ›

If you need to free up cloud storage space, the easiest way to do this is by deleting files you no longer need. Of course, being faced with gigabytes of data to manually pore over and selectively delete can feel like a daunting task.

Can I delete photos from iPhone and keep on iCloud? ›

You can delete photos from your iPhone but keep them in iCloud by turning off iCloud photo sharing. You can also use a different iCloud account to keep the previous account's iCloud photos safe. Another solution is to use a different cloud server, like Dropbox or OneDrive, to back up the photos.

Does iCloud store photos for free? ›

Thus, how many photos can you store on iCloud for free? iCloud stores 1700+ photos on average for free, and 80-120 videos for one-minute duration in h. 264 or HEVC formats with 720p HD, 30 frames per second. This information gives you an idea of the storage capacity and helps you manage your iCloud space effectively.

Can you stop paying for Apple storage? ›

You can cancel iCloud+ in your iCloud storage settings. If you aren't trying to cancel iCloud+, find your receipt: Search your email for the words "receipt from Apple" or "invoice from Apple". On the receipt for the subscription, check which Apple ID was used.

Do photos stay in iCloud forever? ›

When you delete a photo or video from Photos on iCloud.com, it's also deleted from all your devices that have iCloud Photos turned on. If you change your mind, you have 30 days to recover it before it's permanently deleted.

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