GOOGLE fans have been left baffled after the tech giant announced a useful phone feature is shutting down.
The tool was originally pitched as an “extra layer of online protection” for Android.
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Google One is the company’s mega back-up subscription service for all your photos and videos, as well as extra space for Gmail.
It has 100million subscribers worldwide.
Aside from storage, Google One has a VPN bonus perk thrown in to protect privacy.
In a statement to 9to5Google, the firm said “people simply weren’t using it”.
VPN for Google One will disappear later this year.
Fortunately, those with a Pixel 7 or up will still be able to use Google’s separate VPN feature that’s on offer.
Google One users have reacted online calling the change “disappointing”.
“I use it all the time,” one person wrote on Reddit.
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“It was simple and easy. Not interested in having yet another paid subscription when this one worked nicely and was included.”
Another wrote: “Another dead service from Google.”
A third added: “Google One benefits are shrinking as they cancel services and make others free to use for anyone.”
It follows a number of closures from Google recently, starting with the Google Podcasts app that went dark on April 2.
The tech giant also dropped support for three long-running gadgets in its smart security arm.
On the flip side, Google has recently made a number of premium photo editing features free for everyone – including those on iPhone – which you can see in the video above.
Free VPN alternatives
Fortunately there are some free VPN alternatives around that you may wish to try once the changes happen to Google One.
However, be sure to do your research before to check on their privacy policies.
Proton VPN
Proton VPN has a free option allowing users access to servers in the Netherlands, Japan, and the United States.
You can only use it on one device at a time.
Opera browser
The Opera web browser has a free VPN built into the app on desktop and Android.
There are three general locations available.
Read more on the Scottish Sun
TunnelBear VPN
TunnelBear VPN allows users to access any of its global servers.
However, it’s restricted to just 500MB of data per month.
The Google Graveyard – past apps and services that have died
VPN for Google One is the latest in a long line of gadgets and services to join the dreaded “Google Graveyard”.
According to the Killed By Google website, the number currently stands at 295.
Here are some you may remember.
- Google Hangouts
- Google Duo
- Google Stadia
- Google+
- Google Cardboard
- Loon
- Google Gaming app
- Google Glass
- Google Spaces
- Nexus