How to share a folder on Google Drive

Google Drive can be a convenient one-stop storage space for multiple people to access and edit the same documents. For instance, team members can quickly collaborate on a project in real-time without downloading the folder or file. To do this, however, you must know how to share a folder or file on Google Drive and understand sharing permissions.

Read more: How to create a folder in Google Drive

How to share folders on Google Drive (desktop)

Once you have created a folder containing the files you want to share within Google Drive, click on it and then click the Share button that appears in the top right corner.

From there, you can share the folder with a specific person, group of people, or anyone with a link.

To share the folder with a specific person, type their name or email address into the search bar. Likewise, type the group’s name in the search bar to share the folder with multiple group members for Google Groups.

To choose how a person can use the folder, click the Down arrow to the right. Viewers can see the folder and open all files within the folder. Same with Commenters, but they can also add comments to all files within the folder. Editors have the most freedom — they can edit, delete, or move any files within the folder and add additional files to the folder.

After sharing the folder, you can change the permission settings for the files inside.

Link sharing

Alternatively, you can share the folder with a unique link. This method is optimal for sharing folders with people who do not have a Google account.

First, click Get Link and select whether the link is restricted or open to anyone with the link. Restricted means only people you add as collaborators can open the folder with the link. Anyone with the link means anyone on the internet who obtains the link can view the folder.

When sharing sensitive information, it’s best to choose Restricted. However, you can change the same permissions settings described above via the drop-down menu when sharing a folder with anyone with the link.

Next, click Copy link, then Done. Lastly, paste the link into an email or any place you want to share it.

How to share folders on Google Drive (iOS and Android)

Next to the folder’s name you want to share, tap the three-dot icon and tap Share.

Type in the person’s name, email address, or Google Group you want to share with. Then, tap the Down arrow below their name to choose whether a person can view, comment, or edit the file.

Viewers can see the folder and open all files within the folder. Same with Commenters, but they can also add comments to all files within the folder. Editors have the most freedom — they can edit, delete, or move any files within the folder and add additional files to the folder.

Before sending, if you don’t want to notify people that you have sent the folder, tap the three-dot icon in the upper right corner and tap Don’t notify people.

Lastly, tap the Send arrow to send the folder via email to people you shared with.

Link sharing

Alternatively, you can share the folder with a unique link. This method is optimal for sharing folders with people who do not have a Google account. Tap the globe icon in the bottom left and select the link settings.

Tap Change to restrict or open access to the link. Restricted means only people you add as collaborators can open the folder with the link. Anyone with the link means anyone who obtains the link can open the folder as a viewer, commenter, or editor.

Click the chain-link icon to copy the link and paste it into an email or any place you want to share it.

How to share files on Google Drive (desktop)

First, select the file you want to share, then click the Share button in the top right. Next, hold Shift on the keyboard and click two or more files to select multiple files.

Next, enter the email address of the person you want to share with. You can also share with a Google Group by entering its name.

You can choose whether or not to notify the recipients. To inform people, check the box next to Notify people. If you don’t want to notify people, uncheck the box.

Additionally, to change what people can do to your document, click the Down arrow on the right and select Viewer, Commenter, or Editor.

Viewers can see the folder and open all files within the folder. Likewise, commenters can also add comments to all files within the folder. Finally, Editors have the most freedom; they can edit, delete, or move any files within the folder and add additional files to the folder.

Link sharing

Alternatively, you can share the folder with a unique link. This method is optimal for sharing folders with people who do not have a Google account.

First, click Get Link and select whether the link is restricted or open to anyone with the link. Restricted means only people you add as collaborators can open the folder with the link. Anyone with the link means anyone on the internet who obtains the link can view the folder.

When sharing sensitive information, it’s best to choose Restricted. However, you can change the same permissions settings described above via the drop-down menu when sharing a folder with anyone with the link.

Next, click Copy link and then click Done. Lastly, paste the link into an email or any place you want to share it.

How to share files on Google Drive (iOS and Android)

On your Android or iOS device, open the Google Drive app.

Next to the file’s name you want to share, tap the three-dot icon and tap Share.

Type in the person’s name, email address, or Google Group you want to share with. Then, tap the Down arrow below their name to choose whether a person can view, comment, or edit the file.

Viewers can see the folder and open all files within the folder. Same with Commenters, but they can also add comments to all files within the folder. Editors have the most freedom; they can edit, delete, or move any files within the folder and add additional files to the folder.

Before sending, If you don’t want to notify people that you have sent the folder, you can tap the three-dot icon in the upper right corner and ” Don’t notify people.

Lastly, tap the Send arrow to send the folder via email to people you shared with.

Link sharing

Alternatively, you can share the folder with a unique link. This method is optimal for sharing folders with people who do not have a Google account. Tap the globe icon in the bottom left and select the link settings.

Tap Change to select restrict or open access to the link. Restricted means that only people you add as collaborators can open the folder with the link. Anyone with the link means who obtains the link can open the folder as either a viewer, commenter, or editor.

Click the chain-link icon to copy the link and paste it into an email or any place you want to share it.

How to unshare a file or folder on Google Drive

If you accidentally shared a file or folder with the wrong person or assigned incorrect permissions settings, don’t worry. After the fact, you can always change how and with whom your files are shared.

To revoke sharing permissions with a specific person, click on the relevant file or folder and click the Share button in the upper right. Then, select the drop-down menu beside the person’s name, and click Remove.

You can also transfer ownership of the file or folder or change their permissions settings between Viewer, Commenter, and Editor. Transferring ownership will enable someone else to make these kinds of alterations to the file’s access.

Stop sharing a file or folder

One method to stop sharing a file or folder is to remove access for a specific individual, as listed above. To prevent people from viewing, commenting on, or editing your files or folders, you must permanently delete them. See our guide on deleting files and folders from Google Drive for more instructions. If you want to keep the files for yourself, you should download them beforehand.

You can also limit how your files are shared to prevent others from printing, copying, or downloading your file. To do so, click the Share screen’s Settings icon.

Next, uncheck the box beside Viewers; commenters can see the option to download, print, and copy.

Restrict access to a link on Google Drive

To change link-sharing settings, click on the file or folder and click Share.

Then, under Get link, select whether or not the file or folder is restricted or accessible to anyone with the link. For example, when you change a link’s setting to Restricted, only those you have directly shared the file or folder with under the Share with people and groups section can still see it.

Read more: How to delete labels and folders in Gmail

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