How to Download a Google Drive Folder on iPhone or iPad

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Save any Google Drive folder to use offline or on your device

Written by Rain Kengly

Last Updated: May 19, 2025 Fact Checked

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• Downloading to Files
|
• Enabling Offline Access
|
• Saving to Camera Roll
|
• FAQ
|
• Q&A

|Show more |Show less

Do you need to download everything from Google Drive onto your iPhone or iPad? While you can't directly download an entire folder, you can download all of its contents in bulk. This will work for Google Doc files, photos, and videos. Just be sure you're the original uploader or have access to the files. Here's how to download a Google Drive folder on iPhone or iPad.

Quick Steps to Download Google Drive Folders in iOS

1. Open the Google Drive app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap the folder you want to download.
3. Long-press on a file in the folder.
4. Tap the square "select all" icon.
5. Tap ••• and select Download.
6. Tap Save to Files.
7. Select a location and tap Save.

Steps

Section 1 of 4:

Downloading to Files

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1. 
   1
   Open the Google Drive app on your iPhone or iPad. The icon looks like a multicolored triangle. Be sure to log into your Google account.

   • If you don't have the Google Drive app, you can download it from the App Store.
   • This method will download Google Drive folders to the iOS Files app. You can also make files available offline or save photos or images directly to your Camera Roll.
2. 
   2
   Tap the folder. Keep in mind that while you can't download an entire folder, you can download the folder's contents in bulk.

   • You should now see all the folder's contents. If needed, add more files to your folder before downloading.
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3. 
   3
   Long-press on a file in the folder. This will select the file, and more options will appear at the top.
4. 
   4
   Tap the "select all" icon at the top-right corner. This looks like a solid square with a dotted square border. All items in the folder will be selected.
5. 
   5
   Tap ••• in the top-right corner. This will open a menu for all the selected items.
6. 
   6
   Tap Download. This is the third option in the pop-up menu.

   • Google Drive will begin preparing the folder items for download, which may take a moment.
7. 
   7
   Tap Save to Files. This will save the Google Drive folder's contents into the Files app on your iPhone or iPad.
8. 
   8
   Select a save location. Tap Browse in the top-left corner to select a location, such as On My iPhone, iCloud Drive, or another connected app.
9. 
   9
   Create a new folder. Since your files will be separated, it's recommended to create a new folder to keep them together. You can skip this step if you already have a designated folder in your Files app. Do the following:

   • Tap ••• in the top-right corner.
   • Tap New Folder.
   • Name the folder.
   • Tap Done.
10. 
    10
    Tap Save in the top-right corner. The files will be saved to your iPhone or iPad.

    • If you want to view the files inside of a Google Drive folder without Wi-Fi or cellular data, you can make the files available offline.
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Section 2 of 4:

Enabling Offline Access

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1. 
   1
   Open the Google Drive app on your iPhone or iPad. The icon looks like a multicolored triangle.

   • Be sure to log into your Google account.
   • If you turn on Available offline, you can view Google Drive files without an internet or cellular data connection.
2. 
   2
   Tap the folder. To make an entire folder available offline, you'll need to open the menu for the individual files. Luckily, this can be done for multiple files at once.

   • You should now see all the folder's contents.
3. 
   3
   Long-press on a file in the folder. This will select the file, and more options will appear at the top.
4. 
   4
   Tap the "select all" icon at the top-right corner. This looks like a solid square with a dotted square border. All items in the folder will be selected.
5. 
   5
   Tap ••• in the top-right corner. This will open a menu for all the selected items.
6. 
   6
   Tap Make available offline. The selected files will be made available offline.

   • If you want to remove offline access, tap the three dots next to the file name, and then select Remove offline access.
7. 
   7
   View your offline files. You can find your offline files in your Google Drive, regardless of internet or cellular connection. Do the following:

   • Open the Google Drive app.
   • Tap the Home tab.
   • Tap ☰ in the top-left corner.
   • Tap Offline.
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Section 3 of 4:

Saving to Camera Roll

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1. 
   1
   Open the Google Drive app on your iPhone or iPad. The icon looks like a multicolored triangle.

   • Be sure to log into your Google account.
   • You can save photos or videos from Google Drive folders directly to your Camera Roll.
2. 
   2
   Tap the folder. To save an entire folder to your Camera Roll, you'll need to open the menu for the individual files. Luckily, this can be done for multiple photos and videos at once.

   • You should now see all the folder's contents.
3. 
   3
   Long-press on a photo or video in the folder. This will select the file, and more options will appear at the top.
4. 
   4
   Tap the "select all" icon at the top-right corner. This looks like a solid square with a dotted square border. All items in the folder will be selected.
5. 
   5
   Tap ••• in the top-right corner. This will open a menu for all the selected items.
6. 
   6
   Tap Send a copy. This is in the pop-up menu.
7. 
   7
   Tap Save image or Save video. The images and/or photos will be saved to your Camera Roll.
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Section 4 of 4:

FAQ

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1. 1
   Why can't I download folders from Google Drive? If you can't download a certain file, picture, or video from Google Drive, make sure you have the proper permissions to do so. If you aren't the owner of the file, contact them for access.

   • If you are the owner of the file, make sure you have enough space on your device to store the files.
2. 2
   How do I upload an entire folder to Google Drive? To upload a folder on Google Drive using your iPhone or iPad, do the following:

   • Open the Files app.
   • Select a folder.
   • Tap •••.
   • Tap Select.
   • Select all the files you want to add.
   • Tap the Share icon.
   • Tap Google Drive.
   • Tap Folder at the bottom.
   • Select an upload folder, then tap Save here.
   • Tap Upload.
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Community Q&A

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• Question

  When I tap the three dots on the lower right, the only option is, "clear selection." How do I get to the, "make available offline," section?

  

  Community Answer

  Whether you're on a computer or a smartphone, all you need to do is go to the 'settings' tab, and then enable, "Offline Mode." This will automatically set all your documents to be available offline.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
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