Find files in Google Drive

You can find files using suggested files, search chips, or conventional search. You can also sort and filter search results.

Open suggested files

  1. On your Android device, open the Google Drive app.
  2. The Suggested view displays the recent and relevant files in My Drive and Shared drives.

Use search chips

To narrow down the list of files in Drive, you can use search chips:

  1. On your Android device, open the Google Drive app.
  2. At the top, tap Search Drive.
  3. Tap to select a search chip, you can select:
    • Type
    • Folders
    • Modified: Today, Yesterday, Last 7 Days
  4. After you tap on the chip, you can further narrow your results: type in the search bar.
  5. Tap Search.

These chips appear below the search bar. They will search all files, folders, and subfolders. To remove a search chip, on the right of the chip, tap .

As you enter your search, you'll find suggestions to select relevant chips that can reduce the need to enter long text.

Search for your files

  1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Drive app.
  2. At the top, tap Search Drive.
  3. Type a word or phrase in the search box.
  4. On your keyboard, tap Search Search.

Search tips

  • Google Drive searches the titles and content of all files you have permission to access.
  • To see all results, tap Search Search on your keyboard.
  • To save your Drive searches, turn on Web & App Activity.
  • If you search from a folder location, it automatically adds that filter to the top.
  • You'll get filter suggestions as you enter text.
Drive search categories

In Drive, you can search by:

  • File title
  • File contents
  • Type
  • Other metadata, that includes:
    • Description field
    • Shared labels
    • File location
    • Owner
    • Creator
    • Modified date
    • Approvals
    • Follow-ups
  • Items or words featured in pictures, PDF files, or other files stored on your Drive

More search options

Search Drive with your feed

If you have the Drive app on your Android phone or tablet, you can search for files in Drive from your feed.

  1. Open your feed.
  2. Type or speak the words, "Search Drive for" followed by the phrase you want to search for in Drive.
    • To type your search, tap the search box at the top.
    • To speak your search, tap the microphone in the search box.
  3. Tap Done Done.
  4. The Drive app will open and search for the phrase you requested.

To return to "My Drive" after your search, tap Back Back.

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