2 Easy Ways to Upload and Share Large Files on Google Drive

Download Article

Send big files using a link or invite in Google Drive

Co-authored by Luigi Oppido and Rain Kengly

Last Updated: September 28, 2024 Fact Checked

Download Article

Using the Mobile App

|

Using the Website

|

Video

If you're trying to send someone a large file, email messages usually won't cut it. Luckily, you can use Google Drive to share large documents, images, audio, and video files. You can send files up to 5 TB in size. You'll just need a Google account to get started. Here's how to share large files on Google Drive using your iPhone, iPad, Android, or computer.

Quick Steps

Upload the file to Google Drive.
Select ⋮ next to the file.
Select Share.
Enter the recipient's email address.
Set an access level.
Select Send.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using the Mobile App

Download Article

1
Upload your file. Google Drive users get 15 GB of storage for free. If you need more storage than this, you'll need to pay for a Google One membership. You can upload files up to 5 TB in size. To upload a file, do the following:
- Open the Google Drive app.
- Tap Add +.
- Tap Upload.
- Select the file you want to upload.
- Wait for the file to upload.
  - Large files may take a significant amount of time to upload, especially if you have a slower internet connection. Keep the window open until it's complete.
This will be on the right side of the file you want to share. A pop-up menu will open.

Advertisement
The sharing screen will open.
4
Enter the recipient's email address. Use the Add people or groups field to do so.
- As you type an email address, the matching contact will appear below the drop-down menu if they're in your Google Contacts. You can tap the contact name to add the rest of the email address.
- Set the recipient as Editor (can edit the file or folder), Commenter (can add comments), or Viewer (can only see the file).
It's the paper plane-shaped icon in the top-right side of the screen. The file will be sent to the recipient.
6
Alternatively, create a shareable link. If you need to share with a lot of people, you can provide general access to those who have the unique link. Keep in mind that you shouldn't share documents with sensitive information this way. Do the following:
- Tap ⋮ next to the file or folder.
- Tap Share.
- Tap ••• in the top-right corner.
- Tap Manage access.
- Tap Restricted twice.
- Select Anyone with the link.
- Tap Viewer and set a new sharing restriction if desired.
- Tap the link icon in the top-right corner to copy the link.
- Paste or send the link.
7
Download the file. You may need to tell the recipient how to download the file, as clicking the link to open it won't download it automatically.
- To download a file opened in Google Drive, select the "Download" button at the top of the window. If the file opens in Google Docs or Google Sheets, it will need to be downloaded through the File menu.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using the Website

Download Article

1
Upload your file. Google Drive users get 15 GB of storage for free. If you need more storage than this, you'll need to pay for a Google One membership. You can upload files up to 5 TB in size.^{[1]
X
Research source} To upload a file, do the following:
- Log into https://drive.google.com/.
- Click New.
- Click File upload or Folder Upload.
- Select the file you want to upload.^{[2]
  X
  Research source}
- Wait for the file to upload.
  - Large files may take a significant amount of time to upload, especially if you have a slower internet connection. Keep the window open until it's complete.
This will be on the right side of the file you want to share. A pop-up menu will open.
This will open the Share window.
4
Enter the recipient's email address. Use the Add people or groups field to do so.
- As you type an email address, the matching contact will appear below the drop-down menu if they're in your contacts. Otherwise, make sure the full email address is correct.
- Click the drop-down menu on the right to set the recipient as Editor (can edit the file or folder), Commenter (can add comments), or Viewer (can only see the file).
This is the blue button at the bottom-right corner of the window. The file will be sent to the recipient.
6
Alternatively, create a shareable link. If you need to share with a lot of people, you can provide general access to those who have the unique link. Keep in mind that you shouldn't share documents with sensitive information this way. Do the following:
- Click ⋮ next to the file or folder.
- Click Share.
- Under General access, click Restricted.
- Select Anyone with the link.
- Click Viewer and set a new sharing restriction if desired.
- Click Copy link.
- Paste or send the link.
7
Download the file. You may need to tell the recipient how to download the file, as clicking the link to open it won't download it automatically.
- To download a file opened in Google Drive, select the "Download" button at the top of the window. If the file opens in Google Docs or Google Sheets, it will need to be downloaded through the File menu.