As a Gmail or Google Photos user, you should have come across the storage usage bar that tells you how much space you’ve used---and how much is left--- out of the free 15 GB Google gives to all users.
While 15 GB worth of storage works for most people, some of you may find it too limiting. Using the cloud for collaborating on large documents or storing all email attachments eats into the free space. You can now find respite with Google One.
Let’s explore what Google One is all about and why you should consider using it.
What Is Google One?
Before Google One was launched, Google offered storage subscription plans to users through its Google Drive platform. Storage plans bought through Google Drive could be synced with and used across all Google platforms.
But in May 2018, Google introduced Google One as its new official platform for storage purchase, restoring Google Drive to its original place as a storage service.
Google One is essentially a rebrand of Google Drive, with new pricing tiers and a few other cool additions. You can think of it as an enhanced version of Google Drive with a few more bells and whistles.
Benefits of Using Google One
Why should you use Google One? Here are four reasons why you may want to join the Google One user's club.
1. Access to "Google Experts"
Think of them as premium tech support staff. Google Experts are people trained by Google to help answer customer’s questions about Google products and services. The regular Google user doesn’t have access to these “Experts”.
Google One users get instant access to Google experts 24/7 if they experience any challenge while using the app or any Google-owned service.
The only exception being Google Business products like Google Workspace (Formerly G Suite) which has a separate support team.
2. Family Storage
Google One users can share their storage plan with up to five additional family members (six in total, including the sharer) by creating a family group or by sharing a plan with an existing group.
As a Google One user you can also share other Google One benefits like access to Google Experts and Google One’s exclusive VPN (more on this later) with your family.
Another advantage of family storage is that while the storage space is shared by multiple users, other users can’t gain access to your files stored within the cloud unless you share them yourself.
3. Access to VPN by Google One
Google One users on the 2TB or higher plan get access to Google One’s exclusive VPN, which Google says "will encrypt all of your online activity for an extra layer of protection wherever you're connected."
You wouldn’t even need to download another VPN app as the VPN in the Google One app can be activated by a single tap.
If you frequently use public Wi-fi networks and happen to need a lot of cloud storage, this is a fair bargain.
Note: The VPN is currently only available to Android users in the US (through the Google One app). Google says the iOS, Windows, and Mac versions are coming soon.
4. Back-Up Drive for Android
Google One takes away the hard part of switching from one Android device to another. Android users can back up their entire phone data that includes multimedia messages, photos, videos, and device data to the cloud through the Google One app.
Users can restore backed-up data to their new device by clicking on the Restore option during the Android setup process or by downloading the Google One app when the device is up and running and tapping on the Restore from Your Backup option under Settings.
The Restore from Your Backup option will restore the backed-up data to the new device, saving you the stress of manually downloading your files.
Perks Google One Users Can Enjoy
Still don’t think it's worth it? Check out these perks Google One users enjoy. Do note that the nature of these bounties may change or Google can also stop offering them once the service picks up steam.
1. Google Play Credits
Google One users across different countries reported receipt of free $5.00 credit to spend on the Google Store with a note from Google that read:
To thank you for being a Google One member, we’re giving you a $5.00 credit on Google Play. Treat yourself to movies, games, and more, and enjoy them across devices.
2. Hotel Deals
Where available, Google One users get up to 40% off selected hotels when they search for hotels while signed in to the Google account with their Google One membership.
The magnitude of the discount gotten on hotel deals through Google One depends on the day, time, and other factors. The benefits are always changing and vary by country.
3. Free Nest Mini on Upgrade to 2 TB plan
Google also gave out free Nest Mini devices to users who upgraded their Google One subscription to the 2 terabytes plan.
4. Shopping Offers
Google one users on the 200GB plan receive 3% cashback (in Google Store credit) from their Google Store purchases, while users on the 2TB plan and above get 10% cashback (In Google Store credit) from all their Google Store purchases.
The cashback benefit is only available to users in the US, Canada, UK, Germany, and Australia.
How to Sign up/Upgrade to Google One
Sign into your personal Google account. You can create one here if you don't already have one. Go to one.google.com and follow the steps below.
- Click on the Upgrade button.
- Pick and review pricing for your desired plan from the Subscription page, then click Continue.
- Select your payment method and click Subscribe.
You can also sign up with your phone through the mobile app. Download and install the Google One app from Play Store or the App Store. The process to upgrade to a Google One membership right from the app is similar.
Sign in with your Google account. Tap on the Become a Member button, and then pick your desired plan, select your payment method, and subscribe.
Download: Google One for Android | iOS (Free, in-app purchases)
Is Google One the Best Cloud Storage Platform Out There?
Maybe. Maybe Not. And that’s about as honest an answer as you can get. How you evaluate a cloud storage platform depends entirely on your needs and preference.
For people who are already heavily invested in the Google ecosystem, Google One is probably the only reasonable option. But that may not be true for everybody else.
If you aren't invested in the Google ecosystem and you don’t think Google One matches your needs, feel free to try other cloud storage platforms to find your fit.
