Google Drive is one of the easiest cloud storage tools available — it lets you upload files from any device, store them securely, and share them with others by sending a link. Whether you’re collaborating with colleagues, sending large files to friends, or backing up important documents, this guide will walk you through everything step-by-step.

What Is Google Drive?

    Google Drive is cloud storage from Google that lets you upload, access, and share files online. Once your files are in Drive, you can open them on any device with an internet connection.

    How to Upload Files to Google Drive

    1. On a Computer (Web Browser)
    2. Go to drive.google.com and sign in with your Google account.
    3. Click the New button in the top left.
    4. Choose File upload (to upload individual files) or Folder upload (to upload entire folders).
    5. Browse to the file(s) on your computer and click Open.
    6. Google Drive will upload your files — you’ll see a progress bar in the bottom-right corner.

    Tip: Once uploaded, you can drag and drop files directly into Drive from your computer desktop as well.

    On Mobile (Google Drive App)

    • Open the Google Drive app on your phone or tablet.
    • Tap the “+” (plus) button.
    • Select Upload.
    • Choose the file from your device.
    • The upload will start automatically once you select the file.

    How to Share a File or Folder in Google Drive

      Once your file is uploaded, sharing is simple:

      Share with Specific People

      • Right-click (or long-press on mobile) the file or folder you want to share.
      • Click Share.
      • Enter the email addresses of the people you want to share with.
      • Choose their role — Viewer (can see only), Commenter (can leave comments), or Editor (can change the file).
      • Click Send to share.

      Create a Shareable Link

      If you don’t want to share by email, you can create a link anyone can use:

      1. Right-click the file and click Share.
      2. Under General access, click the dropdown and choose who can use the link:
        • Restricted — only specific people you choose.
        • Anyone with the link — anyone with that link can access it.
      3. Choose Viewer, Commenter, or Editor permissions.
      4. Click Copy link and then you can paste it into an email, chat message, etc.

      Tip: If you choose “Anyone with the link,” people don’t need a Google account to view the file — they just need the link.

      How to Allow Others to Upload Files to Your Drive

      By default, Google Drive does not offer a public upload portal link (unlike services like Dropbox or WeTransfer). You can’t give someone a link that lets them upload files directly to your Drive without logging in or having permission.

      Workarounds

      There are two common ways to collect files from others:

      Option A — Share a Folder with Edit Permissions

      1. Create a folder in Google Drive.
      2. Right-click the folder and choose Share.
      3. Enter the person’s email and set their access to Editor so they can upload.
      4. Send them the link.

      This lets them upload and edit content in that folder — but they must be signed into a Google account.

      Option B — Use Google Forms for File Uploads

      Google Forms can collect file uploads and automatically store them in Drive:

      1. Create a new Google Form.
      2. Add a question and choose File upload.
      3. Set limits on types of files and maximum size.
      4. Send the form link to others.
      5. Files submitted through the form will be saved to Drive.

      This works even when respondents aren’t Drive collaborators — though they might still need to sign in to upload.

      Tips for Better Sharing

      ✔ Check permissions before sending a link. If someone can edit, they can change or delete the file.

      ✔ Use shared folders for ongoing collaboration with teams.

      ✔ Organize uploads by folder to keep Drive tidy.

      Posted in How-To Guides

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