2 Simple Ways to Upload and Share a Google Drive File

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Upload files and edit sharing permissions on Google Drive

Co-authored by Luigi Oppido and Rain Kengly

Last Updated: May 19, 2024 Fact Checked

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• Using Mobile
|
• Using Desktop
|
• Video
|
• Q&A
|
• Tips
|
• Warnings

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Do you need to send files in Google Drive? You can share individual files or upload multiple files into a folder. Then, you can create a unique link to copy and paste or send an invitation to the recipient's email. Here's how to share a Google Drive file using your iPhone, iPad, Android, or computer.

Quick Steps

1. Select ⋮ next to the file or folder you want to share.
2. Select Share.
3. Enter the person's email.
4. Select a level of access.
5. Select Send.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using Mobile

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1. 
   1
   Upload the file to Google Drive. If you want to send and share a gallery of photos or a folder containing more than one file, create a new folder and then upload the files using the Google Drive mobile app.

   • You can share individual files or folders with other users.
2. 
   2
   Tap ⋮ next to the file or folder. This will be on the right side of the file or folder name.

   • A pop-up menu will open.
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3. 
   3
   Tap Share. This will open the sharing screen.
4. 
   4
   Add the person you want to share with. Use the Add people or groups field to enter a person's email address.

   • 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.
5. 
   5
   Select a sharing restriction level. Tap the menu to select the level of access this person should have to the file or folder. Each person you share the file with can be an Editor (can edit the file or folder), Commenter (can add comments), or Viewer (can only see the file).

   • You'll also find additional permissions to set by tapping the gear icon.
   • If needed, you can now add more users or groups and set their permissions individually.
6. 
   6
   Tap the "Send" arrow

   

   . It's the paper plane-shaped icon in the top-right side of the screen. This will send your file with your selected permissions to the specified recipient(s).

   • You can also type a comment into the "Comments" box before sending the file to provide context to your recipient(s).
7. 
   7
   Allow general access with a link (optional). 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.
   • Paste or send the link.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using Desktop

Download Article

1. 
   1
   Upload the file to Google Drive. If you want to send and share a gallery of photos or a collection of other types of files, create a new folder, and then upload the files there.

   • You can share individual files or folders with other users.
2. 
   2
   Click ⋮ next to the file or folder. This will be on the right side of the file or folder name.

   • A pop-up menu will open.
3. 
   3
   Hover over Share and click Share. This opens the Share window.
4. 
   4
   Add the person you want to share with. Use the Add people or groups field to enter a person's email address.

   • If the person is in your Google contacts, typing in part of their name or email address will cause their full email address to appear below the text field. You can click the address here to add it.
5. 
   5
   Select a sharing restriction level. When entering a recipient, you can choose their level of access from the drop-down menu. Each person you share the file with can be an Editor (can edit the file or folder), Commenter (can add comments), or Viewer (can only see the file).

   • You'll also find additional permissions to set by clicking the gear icon.
   • If needed, you can now add more users or groups and set their permissions individually.
6. 
   6
   Click Send. It's in the bottom-left corner of the window. This will send the file with your selected permissions to the specified recipient(s).

   • You can also type in a comment in the text box before you click Send to provide your recipient(s) with context.
7. 
   7
   Allow general access with a link (optional). 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.
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Community Q&A

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• Question

  I can not paste a folder of pictures into the picture folder, how do I change that if I wasn't the original owner of the folder?

  

  Community Answer

  Open the folder you're pasting FROM. Select all. Copy. Open the folder you're pasting TO. Paste. You cannot paste a folder from the "outside," you have to paste the files.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 0 Helpful 8
• Question

  How do I share files via Google drive?

  

  Community Answer

  Share it with Gmail! There is a button at the bottom of where you send an email that has the Google Drive symbol. Click that and select the file you want to send.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 1 Helpful 6
• Question

  How do I tell if my personal files are being shared or not on Google Drive?

  

  Community Answer

  Click the "Share" button that you would use to share it with someone new and it should say "Shared with..." and if you click on that a more detailed tab comes up with the share settings for each person.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 2 Helpful 6

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Tips

• You can access Google Drive in Google Chrome by clicking the Apps icon on the New Tab toolbar and then selecting Google Drive.
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Warnings

• Items that you share with others can be copied, downloaded, and shared outside of Google Drive.
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