Google Drive users may need to reconsider using the service for large system backups or transfers involving numerous files. Ars Technica reports that Google discreetly imposed a “creation limit” of 5 million files in February.
According to Reddit user ra13, both personal (Google One) and business (Google Workspace) users receive an error message if they attempt to directly upload files beyond this limit. The cap does not apply to shared files, which already have a 400,000-item restriction.
Google claims that the file cap is designed to prevent abuse that could jeopardise the “stability and safety” of Drive. The limit pertains to the number of created files, not the total number of files in a drive.
The company maintains that the number of affected users is “vanishingly small.” However, the primary concern is that users may reach the file limit before exhausting the storage they have paid for.
The Reddit post also points out that a user with 2TB of storage and an average file size of over 400KB will hit the file limit before exhausting their storage capacity. Consequently, some users may be paying for more storage than they can actually utilise unless they compress their files into zip folders.
While this may not be a problem for most individuals, it could pose challenges for those relying on cloud backups or professionals whose applications generate a large number of small files.
Furthermore, Google only recently acknowledged the cap publicly. The firm’s product and support pages do not reference the file creation limit, and there is no indicator to show how many files must be removed or compressed to create room for additional content.
This absence of clear communication has left some users in a bind, forcing them to either downsize their Drive collections or explore alternative options without comparable restrictions.
This lack of transparency has left some users scrambling to either reduce their Drive libraries or seek alternative solutions without similar constraints.
Google should have been more forthcoming about the cap and provided clearer guidelines to help users navigate the restrictions. This would not only ensure a better user experience but also maintain trust between the company and its users. Moving forward, it is crucial for Google to prioritise clear communication and consider the diverse needs of its user base when implementing policy changes.
