Microsoft 365 Family and Premium move from up to 6 TB to a shared 2 TB

Microsoft 365 Family and Premium are moving from separate 1 TB allowances for up to six people—a maximum of 6 TB—to one shared 2 TB pool. Families that rely on those individual allowances should look at their combined usage now, especially before an upgrade that could bring the change forward.

Six members will draw from the same pool

Previously, each Family or Premium member received 1 TB, allowing a subscription with six members to provide up to 6 TB in total. The new 2 TB pool covers the primary subscriber and up to five additional members, without a fixed allocation for each person.

One member can use more than 1 TB if space is available, but everyone else draws from that same capacity. Sharing storage space does not make files visible to other members: files, photos and documents remain private unless their owner explicitly shares them.

This is not a change to every OneDrive plan. Microsoft 365 Basic still provides 100 GB for one person, while Personal still provides 1 TB for one person.

An upgrade can bring the change forward

New and upgraded subscriptions use shared storage from October 8, 2026. Subscribers who already had a plan before that date generally transition at their first renewal on or after May 2, 2027, with an email and further details before the change.

Upgrading from Family to Premium before May 2, 2027, brings the shared 2 TB model into effect early. A downgrade alone before that date does not trigger an early switch; the current storage model continues until the subscription renews on or after May 2, 2027.

Some existing Family and Premium customers in supported markets may receive free bonus storage at renewal during the transition. The bonus depends on eligibility and is not guaranteed for every subscriber.

Check the household total before changing plans

The storage dashboard in your Microsoft account shows used and available space. Before changing plans or renewing, review the family’s combined usage alongside your renewal date and notice. Your own usage alone will not tell you whether everyone’s files fit within the shared pool.

Additional storage purchased by a subscription member goes into the shared pool, as do eligible family members’ free storage grants. If the family needs more room, options include freeing up space, moving files elsewhere, buying additional storage or choosing a plan with more capacity.

Exceeding the quota does not immediately remove access to existing files. Microsoft says users can continue accessing them for up to one year while managing their storage. That provision concerns file access; it does not promise unlimited uploads or unrestricted use of every feature.