Google Drive is Google's cloud storage service that lets you store, sync and share files from any device. With a free Google Account you get 15 GB of storage that you can use for documents, photos, videos and more.

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Signing in with your browser

  1. Open your web browser and go to drive.google.com
  2. Click Go to Drive or Sign in
  3. Enter your Gmail address and click Next
  4. Enter your password and click Next
  5. You are now signed in and see your Google Drive dashboard

Tip: Use 2-Step Verification for extra security on your Google Account.

Signing in with the smartphone app

Android:

  1. Open the Google Drive app (preinstalled on most Android devices)
  2. Tap Sign in if you aren't signed in yet
  3. Select your Google Account or add a new account
  4. You now have access to all your files

iPhone/iPad:

  1. Download the Google Drive app from the App Store
  2. Open the app and tap Sign in
  3. Enter your Gmail address and password
  4. Give the app access to your files if asked

Signing in with the desktop application

  1. Go to google.com/drive/download
  2. Download Google Drive for desktop
  3. Install the application and launch it
  4. Sign in with your Google Account
  5. Choose which folders you want to sync
  6. Your files now appear as a separate drive in File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac)

Syncing and sharing files

Syncing:

  • Files in your Google Drive folder are synced automatically
  • Upload new files by dragging them into the Drive folder
  • Changes are applied immediately on all your devices

Sharing:

  1. Right-click a file or folder
  2. Select Share
  3. Enter the recipient's email address
  4. Choose the permissions: Viewer, Commenter or Editor
  5. Click Send

Common problems

Forgot your password

  1. Go to accounts.google.com/signin/recovery
  2. Enter your email address
  3. Follow the steps to recover your password by SMS, email or security questions

Sync problems

  • Check your internet connection
  • Restart the Google Drive desktop app
  • Check that you have enough storage space
  • Sign out and back in to the app

Can't sign in

  • Check that Caps Lock is off
  • Try a different browser
  • Clear your browser's cache and cookies

Frequently asked questions

How much free storage do I get? With a free Google Account you get 15 GB of storage, shared between Google Drive, Gmail and Google Photos.

Can I view files offline? Yes, in the Google Drive app you can make files available for offline use. Right-click and select "Make available offline".

Is Google Drive secure? Google Drive uses strong encryption for storage and transfer. Turn on 2-Step Verification for extra security on your account.

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