Mehvish Mushtaq is a computer engineer by degree. Her love for Android and gadgets led her to develop the first Android app for Kashmir. Known as Dial Kashmir, she won the prestigious Nari Shakti award from the President of India. She has been writing about technology for 6+ years and her favorite categories include how-to guides, explainers, tips and tricks for Android, iOS/iPadOS, social media, and web apps. Learn about our Tech Review Board
Updated August 12, 2024 Reviewed & Updated by Afam Onyimadu Expertise: Microsoft, R, SQLAfam has been a content writer with Guiding Tech Media since August 2023. However, his experience in tech writing dates back to 2018, when he worked as a freelance writer for Make Tech Easier. Over the years, he has grown a reputation for publishing quality guides, reviews, tips, and explainer articles. His work is featured on top websites, including Technical Ustad, Windows Report, and Next of Windows. He has training as a Microsoft Certified Professional and has covered more Microsoft-related guides on these platforms. Learn about our Tech Review Board
One of the easiest ways to share files or folders from Google Drive is by emailing. Enter the email addresses, and recipients will receive an email with the shared files or folders. Follow these steps to share a Google Drive folder or file on a PC or mobile:
Step 1: Open the Google Drive website and right-click on the file or folder you want to share.
Step 2: Select Share > Share.
Step 3: A pop-up window will appear. In it, enter the email addresses of the people with whom you want to share the selected Google Drive file or folder.
Step 4: On the next screen, customize the sharing permission. By default, the users have editing permissions, which you can change by clicking on the Editor box and selecting Viewer or Commenter.
Step 5: You can also add a custom message for the email and click on Send.
share file email permission" width="767" height="662" />
Step 1: Open the Google Drive app on your Android or iPhone.
Step 2: Tap the three-dot icon next to or under the file or folder and select Share from the menu.
Step 3: Add the email addresses with whom you want to share the file > tap on Editor to change the permission > click the Send icon.
The above method lets you share Google Drive files through email. But what if you want to send them using a different app? Thankfully, you can do it by sharing a unique Google Drive link. Simply create the link, copy it, and send it in any app you choose, like WhatsApp, Facebook, Messenger, Outlook, etc.
Step 1: The first few steps are the same as the above method, i.e., right-click on the file or folder. Select Share > Share.
Step 2: The Restricted option is selected by default. Click on the Copy link button and paste it into your chosen app.
Step 3: Alternatively, you can share it with anyone by clicking on the Restricted text > selecting Anyone with the link.
Step 4: Next, click on the Viewer/Editor box and select the permission you want users to have.
Step 5: Finally, click the Copy link button and share it with your friends, family, or co-workers.
Step 6: Click on Done to close the window.
Tip: Know what happens when you share a Google Drive link.
Step 1: In the Google Drive mobile app, tap the three-dot icon next to the file or folder > select Share from the menu.
Step 2: Tap the Not Shared (or any other) icon at the bottom under Manage Access.
Step 3: If you want to email the link to the users with whom you have shared the files, tap on the Link icon at the top to copy the link to your clipboard.
Step 4: Alternatively, tap on Change under Restricted > Restricted.
Step 5: Select Anyone with the link.
Step 6: Tap on Viewer to manage the permission of the file. Finally, tap on the Link icon at the top to copy the link, which you can share with anyone.
A few things to note:
Sharing multiple files or folders from Google Drive is easy. First, select the files, and then the methods to share those files are the same as above. Let’s learn how to select and share multiple Google Drive files on a PC:
Step 1: Select one of the files or folders. Then, hold the Ctrl key > click the files you want to select.
Tip: If you want to select multiple files in succession, select the first file, hold the Shift key, and click on the last file to select.
Step 2: Release the Shift or Ctrl key. The selected items will show as highlighted. Right-click on any selected item > choose Share > Share.
Step 3: Then, you can share the multiple files via email or copy their individual links. You can manage their access permissions individually.
Note: You can’t share multiple files from an Android or iPhone. You must add the files to a folder and share that folder.
Whenever you open any file stored in Google Drive, be it the native Google Drive files like Google Docs, Sheets, Forms, and Slides or any image or video, you will find a Share button at the top. Click on it to open the Share pop-up, from where you can send the file in an email or copy its link.
In the case of Google Forms, open the Form and click on the three-dot icon, followed by Add collaborators if you want others to change your Google Form.
Note: When you share a Google Doc, Sheets, or Slides, people can change the document if you have set the permission to Editor.
