Overview 

Due to new pricing structures imposed by Google, universities no longer have access to free unlimited storage. As a result, all alumni accounts must be reduced below 5 GB on a rolling basis through August 2025.  Alumni will receive direct communications with clear deadlines for reducing storage, to allow enough time for all accounts to be reduced by summer 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Why does my account have a 5 GB cap?  

Cornell no longer offers unlimited storage to alumni, due to pricing structure changes imposed by Google. Storage for all alumni Google accounts will be capped at 5 GB on a rolling basis. Accounts already below 5 GB have been capped at 5 GB. Details about this change are available at the Alumni Email Services webpage. 

Can I request an Outlook account that has more storage?  

No. Microsoft Outlook accounts are no longer being provided to alumni. The only option is a 5 GB Google account. 

Can I have, or purchase, more storage space?  

No. Storage increases are not available for alumni Cornell Google accounts. In 2021, Google ended free unlimited storage for universities. Their pricing for higher education makes the costs of storage above the levels that have been set unsustainable. For details, see Background: Why Cornell Google Services are Changing.

How do I check my storage usage?  

See your account's storage usage page in Google. Make sure you are signed into your Cornell Google account. When you click on your profile icon, you should see your NetID@cornell.edu email address.

How do I transfer my data? 

See Move Your Personal Data. 

How do I transfer my photos? 

See Move Photos Out of Your Cornell Google Account.

I reduced my storage, but Google does not reflect that the storage is reduced. Is there a delay?  

Yes, after you empty the trash, there may be a delay of 24 to 48 hours before Google shows the correct storage size. 

I reduced below 5 GB but am still receiving email alerts from Cornell Alumni Affairs stating I have over 5 GB. Why am I still getting alerts? 

As long as your storage is below 5 GB, you are all set. If you receive any further communications from Cornell Alumni Affairs, you may disregard them, so long as you remain below 5 GB. 

I’m unable to send/receive email. Why is this?  

Storage for your Cornell Google account has been capped at 5 GB. Cornell has been sending multiple communications about this change to Cornell Google account holders. Reduce storage to under 5 GB for send/receive functionality to be restored. 

I cannot access my account. Can you please restore access to it?  

Wiithin a month of access being removed, you can request a grace period (See Google Account Deactivation). After the account has had access removed for a month, it is permanently deleted and cannot be restored or recovered. If a grace period was granted and the storage was not reduced beneath 5 GB in time, the account cannot be reinstated and no more time can be provided. The account can no longer be recovered. 

My account was permanently deleted. Can I have a new 5 GB Cornell Google email account?  

Yes, you may request a new, empty, 5 GB Cornell Google account. This process may take a while as Cornell waits for Google to cycle through their part of the deletion process. Once this has completed, you can submit a form to request a new account.