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Google One subscribers lost free shipping on select Google Photos print orders on May 15, 2024, in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and the European Union. Google also discontinued VPN by Google One later that year, while describing a Pixel 7-and-newer access path through Pixel settings. These are 2024 changes—not a newly announced August 2026 removal.
The practical question now is whether Google One’s storage, family sharing, AI tools and bundled services still justify your price.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
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| 1 |
|
Google Play gift code | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Google Play gift code | $100.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Google Play gift code | $25.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Google Play Physical Gift Card | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Google Play gift code | $15.00 | Buy on Amazon |
The two Google One benefits that disappeared
Free shipping for selected Photos print orders
Google notified members that free shipping on select Google Photos print orders would end May 15, 2024. The notice covered the U.S., Canada, U.K. and E.U., and applied to eligible print orders rather than every Photos merchandise or printing transaction. The change was reported from Google’s subscriber communication by Droid Life.
VPN by Google One
The same announcement said VPN by Google One would be discontinued later in 2024. Google’s notice, as reported, said Pixel users with a Pixel 7 or newer could continue accessing a VPN through Pixel settings. That device-specific route should not be treated as an identical continuation of the old Google One benefit or as availability for every Pixel owner.
#1 Best Overall
- No returns and no refunds on gift cards. Good for use on the US Google Play Store only. Terms apply - see below.
- Google Play gift codes can be used on the Google Play Store, the official app store for Android, to purchase apps, games, and more.
- To redeem, enter code in the Play Store app or play.google.com.
- Endless games to explore: Find and play old and new favorites – from mind-bending puzzles to epic quests and more.
- Just the app you’re looking for: Millions of apps means millions of ways to get things done, learn something new, and maybe even meet someone special.
Why Google said it removed them
Google said it was refocusing Google One on its “most in-demand features and benefits,” naming tools such as Magic Eraser and Dark Web Report. Google has not publicly established how many members used free shipping, what it cost, or whether reducing expenses was the principal motive.
The current product presentation supports a narrower interpretation: Google One is organized increasingly around shared storage, AI, security and Google ecosystem bundles rather than a miscellaneous collection of extras. That is an inference from Google’s current overview, not a separately confirmed internal strategy. See Google One’s current overview.
What Google One offers now
Benefits depend on your plan and billing country. Google’s support documentation says the membership can include:
Rank #2
- No returns and no refunds on gift cards. Good for use on the US Google Play Store only. Terms apply - see below.
- Google Play gift codes can be used on the Google Play Store, the official app store for Android, to purchase apps, games, and more.
- To redeem, enter code in the Play Store app or play.google.com.
- Endless games to explore: Find and play old and new favorites – from mind-bending puzzles to epic quests and more.
- Just the app you’re looking for: Millions of apps means millions of ways to get things done, learn something new, and maybe even meet someone special.
- Shared storage for Google Drive, Gmail and Google Photos.
- Family sharing for up to five additional people—six people total including the plan manager—on eligible plans. Personal files remain private even when storage is shared.
- Device backup and storage-management tools.
- Google Photos editing and AI features, with availability varying by plan and feature.
- AI capabilities on Google AI-branded plans.
- Google Store rewards and selected Google Meet, Calendar, YouTube, Google Home or other bundled benefits on higher tiers, subject to country and plan restrictions.
Every Google Account includes up to 15 GB at no charge. The Google One quota is shared across Drive, Gmail and Photos; it is not a separate Google Drive-only allowance. Some Photos AI tools have also been made available to non-paying users, so no individual AI feature should be assumed to be exclusive without checking the current plan description.
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Google’s plan page displayed these monthly prices when checked on that date:
| Plan | Displayed monthly price | Typical rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Basic, 100 GB | $1.99 | More shared storage for Gmail, Drive and Photos |
| Google AI Plus | $9.99 | Additional Google AI access with plan details that can vary by market and page version |
| Google AI Pro, 5 TB | $19.99 | Large storage capacity plus expanded AI and bundled benefits |
These are dated U.S. display signals, not guaranteed permanent prices. Plan names, prices and benefits vary by region and can change. Google says annual billing can save up to 16%. Check the live plan page before subscribing or renewing.
Rank #3
- No returns and no refunds on gift cards. Good for use on the US Google Play Store only. Terms apply - see below.
- Google Play gift codes can be used on the Google Play Store, the official app store for Android, to purchase apps, games, and more.
- To redeem, enter code in the Play Store app or play.google.com.
- Endless games to explore: Find and play old and new favorites – from mind-bending puzzles to epic quests and more.
- Just the app you’re looking for: Millions of apps means millions of ways to get things done, learn something new, and maybe even meet someone special.
Who should keep, downgrade or cancel?
| Your situation | Likely decision | Why |
|---|---|---|
| You need more than 15 GB across Gmail, Drive and Photos | Keep a storage plan | Cancellation can eventually affect services once your account exceeds its free allowance. |
| Your household shares the plan | Compare before changing | Measure everyone’s use and compare the total household cost with alternatives. |
| You joined mainly for the VPN | Reassess | VPN by Google One is no longer the same member benefit; qualifying Pixel users have a separate device path. |
| You joined mainly for Photos print shipping | Downgrade or cancel if storage is unnecessary | That shipping subsidy ended in 2024. |
| You actively use Gemini or other Google AI tools | Compare current AI tiers | An AI plan may provide value that the discontinued perks did not. |
| You use less than 15 GB and need no premium tools | Consider canceling | The free account allowance may cover you. |
Check your own plan before changing it
- Open Google One on the web or in the Google One app.
- Open the plan, benefits or membership section and read the features attached to your exact tier.
- Review storage usage across Drive, Gmail and Photos, including each family member’s usage.
- Check your billing country, renewal date and renewal price.
- Only then compare a downgrade, cancellation or replacement service.
Google’s membership guidance is at Google One Help. Plan-management and billing-location guidance is available at this support page.
Cancellation and downgrade risks
- If your account remains above its free storage limit, Gmail, Drive and Photos functions can eventually be restricted.
- Family members’ combined usage can make a downgrade fail even when your personal library looks small.
- Backups, large Photos libraries and Gmail attachments may require an export or relocation plan.
- Changing billing location or plan can change which benefits are available.
Export or move important data before switching providers, and verify the replacement’s capacity and compatibility first.
Alternatives when a specific perk matters more
Cloud storage
- iCloud+ fits households centered on iPhone, iPad and Mac backups.
- OneDrive and Microsoft 365 suit Windows and Office users.
- Dropbox emphasizes cross-platform synchronization and collaboration.
- Proton Drive targets users who prioritize a privacy-oriented ecosystem.
None should be called cheaper or better without checking current, region-specific prices and limits.
Rank #4
- No returns and no refunds on gift cards. Good for use on the US Google Play Store only. Terms apply - see below.
- Google Play gift cards can be used on the Google Play Store, the official app store for Android, to purchase apps, games, and more.
- To redeem, peel or gently scratch label and enter code in the Play Store app or play.google.com.
- Easy to use: With a Google Play gift card, you never have to worry about expiration dates or fees.
- Endless games to explore: Find and play old and new favorites – from mind-bending puzzles to epic quests and more.
VPN access
A dedicated VPN may support more devices and configurable locations, but compare independent audits, ownership transparency, kill-switch and DNS-leak protection, simultaneous connections, refund terms and your actual need for a VPN. A browser privacy extension is not equivalent to a device-wide VPN, and a free VPN may impose advertising, data-collection or performance compromises.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Frequently Asked Questions
Is Google One free shipping newly removed in 2026?
No. The reported change ended free shipping on select Google Photos print orders on May 15, 2024, in the U.S., Canada, U.K. and E.U. It is historical context, not a newly announced August 2026 change.
Does Google One still include a VPN?
VPN by Google One was scheduled for discontinuation later in 2024. The reported notice described continued VPN access through Pixel settings for Pixel 7 and newer, but that is not the same as universal Google One VPN availability.
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- No returns and no refunds on gift cards. Good for use on the US Google Play Store only. Terms apply - see below.
- Google Play gift codes can be used on the Google Play Store, the official app store for Android, to purchase apps, games, and more.
- New finds, old favorites, one card. Choose a unique gift card design featuring your favorite games or apps. This card can also be used for anything else on Google Play. There’s something for everyone, so find what’s yours. Go Play.
- To redeem, enter code in the Play Store app or play.google.com.
- Easy to use: With a Google Play gift code, you never have to worry about expiration dates or fees.
Can my family see my files if we share Google One storage?
No. Eligible plans can share storage with up to five additional people while each person’s files remain private.
The Bottom Line
Google One has shifted from a broad perks bundle toward storage, AI and ecosystem benefits. The lost shipping and VPN features matter most to subscribers who joined for those extras; storage-heavy families and active AI users may still find the membership worthwhile. Check your current usage, plan benefits, billing country and renewal price before keeping, downgrading or canceling.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
