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Follow ZDNET: Add america arsenic a preferred source connected Google.
ZDNET's cardinal takeaways
- Google AI Plus present includes 400GB of retention for $4.99 a month.
- Downgrading from AI Pro to AI Plus could prevention $180 a year.
- Google One plans tin beryllium changed from the web oregon mobile app.
I don't emotion paying for Google Drive. But aft 14 years of utilizing Docs, Sheets, Slides, Photos, and uploading random files, I present person astir 340GB of integer junk sitting successful Google storage. That's acold beyond the free 15GB fixed to each account. So, I request to ammunition retired $20 a period for Google AI Pro, which gives maine 5TB of retention and entree to the Gemini 3 Pro model successful the Gemini app.
The issue? I privation to whittle down my subscriptions, and I hardly usage Gemini enough to warrant the AI portion of the bill. I request storage.
Also: I tried Google Drive's caller AI cleanup instrumentality to hole 14 years of clutter
So, erstwhile Google dropped its AI Plus program to $4.99 a period and bumped the included retention to 400GB, my inexpensive small ears perked up. Suddenly, Google had a program that covered my existent retention needs, with Gemini entree included, if I wanted it.
There are heavier usage limits, but Google said they're "twice arsenic high" arsenic the escaped tier. The program besides includes entree to NotebookLM, Proofread and AI Inbox successful Gmail, and more. The prime present is evident for a idiosyncratic trying to prevention money.
How to power Google One plans
What you'll need: A Google relationship with a Google One program (which immoderate radical telephone a "Google AI" program due to the fact that respective of the options see Gemini) and entree to your Google One rank settings either connected the web oregon via the mobile app.
Before changing anything, spell to the Google One dashboard successful a browser oregon unfastened the Google One app connected a phone. Make definite the Google relationship tied to the paid retention program is signed in. From there, look for the retention breakdown.
- On the web, Google shows the existent program up apical and past however overmuch abstraction is being utilized crossed Drive, Gmail, and Photos.
- In the mobile app, retention appears astatine the apical of the Home screen, and the existent program appears astatine the bottom.
In my case, I'm utilizing 6% of the 5TB fixed to maine successful the AI Pro plan. So, the 400GB AI Plus program would screen me.
Also: I tested ChatGPT Plus vs. Gemini Pro to spot which is better
While managing a Google One plan, it whitethorn beryllium indispensable to click oregon pat "See much plans" to presumption the AI Plus options, particularly erstwhile readying to downgrade. I had to, due to the fact that they were hidden for me. Be definite to grow each the payment details and work done each program cautiously to spot what would beryllium mislaid by switching to a cheaper option.
Google present has 7 options, ranging from Basic (with 100GB of retention and nary AI) to Google AI Ultra (with 20TB and Gemini Pro). I besides noticed Google has different $9.99 enactment for AI Plus. It has each the aforesaid benefits, but with 2TB of storage. Tempting.
When acceptable to choose, conscionable click oregon pat the fastener connected the program to downgrade, upgrade, oregon subscribe.
Also: Everything we saw astatine Google I/0 2026
For me, by downgrading to AI Plus with 400GB, I'd suffer higher Gemini AI usage limits and entree to the 3 Pro model. I'd besides suffer YouTube Premium Lite Individual, Google Home Premium, and Google Health Premium. But I don't truly usage them now. I would get to support NotebookLM and Google Flow, positive the 400GB of Drive, Photos, and Gmail retention to stock crossed 5 household accounts.
How overmuch I'll prevention by downgrading
Honestly, earlier now, Google AI Plus was casual to ignore. It outgo $7.99 a period astatine launch and lone included 200GB of storage. That's nothing. Today, it's $4.99 a period and comes with treble the storage. It's thing I tin consider, arsenic a longtime Workspace user.
If I were to determination from my existent AI Pro program with 5TB of retention to AI Plus with 400GB of storage, I would person lone astir 60GB of abstraction left. That's not overmuch erstwhile factoring successful Gmail attachments, Drive uploads, and Photos backups that support piling up implicit time.
Also: Google's AI features conscionable got much confusing
I looked it up, and if my relationship should ever spell implicit its quota, Google said I mightiness suffer the quality to upload files to Drive, backmost up photos and videos, make caller Google Workspace docs, and usage Gmail normally. Still, I bash person country to spare. The mathematics is easy.
Dropping from AI Pro astatine $19.99 a period to AI Plus astatine $4.99 a period would prevention maine $180 a year. And don't forget, AI Plus besides has a 2TB enactment for $9.99. That would prevention maine $120 a year. Even that's a existent subscription outgo cut, if you inquire me.
Hey, successful this economy, each small spot helps.
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