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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Google AI Plus now contains 400GB of storage for $4.99 a month.
- Downgrading from AI Professional to AI Plus might save $180 a 12 months.
- Google One plans could be modified from the net or cellular app.
I do not love paying for Google Drive. However after 14 years of utilizing Docs, Sheets, Slides, Photographs, and importing random recordsdata, I now have about 340GB of digital junk sitting in Google storage. That is far past the free 15GB given to every account. So, I have to shell out $20 a month for Google AI Professional, which provides me 5TB of storage and entry to the Gemini 3 Pro models within the Gemini app.
The problem? I need to whittle down my subscriptions, and I barely use Gemini enough to justify the AI a part of the invoice. I want storage.
Additionally: I tried Google Drive’s new AI cleanup tool to fix 14 years of clutter
So, when Google dropped its AI Plus plan to $4.99 a month and bumped the included storage to 400GB, my low-cost little ears perked up. Out of the blue, Google had a plan that lined my present storage wants, with Gemini entry included, if I wished it.
There are heavier utilization limits, however Google stated they’re “twice as excessive” because the free tier. The plan additionally contains entry to NotebookLM, Proofread and AI Inbox in Gmail, and extra. The selection right here is clear for an individual making an attempt to economize.
Find out how to change Google One plans
What you may want: A Google account with a Google One plan (which some individuals name a “Google AI” plan as a result of a number of of the choices embrace Gemini) and entry to your Google One membership settings both on the net or through the cellular app.
Earlier than altering something, go to the Google One dashboard in a browser or open the Google One app on a cellphone. Ensure the Google account tied to the paid storage plan is signed in. From there, search for the storage breakdown.
- On the net, Google reveals the present plan up prime after which how a lot area is getting used throughout Drive, Gmail, and Photographs.
- Within the cellular app, storage seems on the prime of the Dwelling display, and the present plan seems on the backside.
In my case, I am utilizing 6% of the 5TB given to me within the AI Professional plan. So, the 400GB AI Plus plan would cowl me.
Additionally: I tested ChatGPT Plus vs. Gemini Pro to see which is better
Present extra
Whereas managing a Google One planit could be essential to click on or faucet “See extra plans” to view the AI Plus choices, particularly when planning to downgrade. I needed to, as a result of they have been hidden for me. Be sure you develop all of the profit particulars and skim by means of every plan rigorously to see what can be misplaced by switching to a less expensive choice.
Google now has seven choices, starting from Fundamental (with 100GB of storage and no AI) to Google AI Ultra (with 20TB and Gemini Professional). I additionally observed Google has one other $9.99 choice for AI Plus. It has all the identical advantages, however with 2TB of storage. Tempting.
When prepared to decide on, simply click on or faucet the button on the plan to downgrade, improve, or subscribe.
Additionally: Everything we saw at Google I/0 2026
For me, by downgrading to AI Plus with 400GB, I would lose increased Gemini AI utilization limits and entry to the three Professional mannequin. I would additionally lose YouTube Premium Lite Particular person, Google Dwelling Premium, and Google Well being Premium. However I do not actually use them now. I’d get to maintain NotebookLM and Google Move, plus the 400GB of Drive, Photographs, and Gmail storage to share throughout 5 household accounts.
Present extra
How a lot I will save by downgrading
Truthfully, prior to now, Google AI Plus was straightforward to disregard. It value $7.99 a month at launch and solely included 200GB of storage. That is nothing. At the moment, it is $4.99 a month and comes with double the storage. It is one thing I can take into account, as a longtime Workspace person.
If I have been to maneuver from my present AI Professional plan with 5TB of storage to AI Plus with 400GB of storage, I’d have solely about 60GB of area left. That is not a lot when factoring in Gmail attachments, Drive uploads, and Photographs backups that hold piling up over time.
Additionally: Google’s AI features just got more confusing
I regarded it up, and if my account ought to ever go over its quota, Google stated I would lose the flexibility to add recordsdata to Drive, again up images and movies, create new Google Workspace docs, and use Gmail usually. Nonetheless, I do have room to spare. The mathematics is straightforward.
Dropping from AI Professional at $19.99 a month to AI Plus at $4.99 a month would save me $180 a 12 months. And do not forget, AI Plus additionally has a 2TB choice for $9.99. That may save me $120 a 12 months. Even that is an actual subscription value minimize, should you ask me.
Hey, on this economic system, each little bit helps.
