Download files from Google Drive with a computer, Android or iOS device.
Important: If you try to download a suspicious file, you may get a warning message. Use caution if you download the file.
Download a file to a different app
- Open the Google Drive app.
- Next to the file that you want to download, tap More .
- Choose an option:
- To download the file to your device, tap Download. You can find downloaded files in the Files app.
- Download the file to your phone: Tap Open in Save to Files Choose where you want to save the file Save.
- Open the file within another app: Tap Open in Choose the app that you want to use.
Learn why the 'Download' option isn't available
- Make sure that you select a file and not a folder. You can only download files.
- If you still can't download a file, the owner may have disabled options to print, download or copy for users with just comment or read-only access. If you need to download the file, contact the owner and request permissions.
- Make sure that your Drive app is updated. If necessary, go to the Play Store and search for 'Google Drive' and update it.
- If the update doesn't help, restart your phone and check again.
- If you still encounter the problem, your Android version may be outdated. In your phone settings, check for system updates.
Learn how to convert Office and other file types into Docs, Sheets or Slides.
Fix further issues
- In the App Store, check for updates to the Google Drive app.
- Make sure that the app that you want to use, such as Files or a third-party app, is properly installed and updated.
- If you try to save to a third-party app, verify that the app supports the file type that you want to download.
- Open the Google Drive app.
- Next to the file that you want to download, tap More .
- Tap Send a copy.
- Depending on your file, tap Save image or Save video.
To check your iPhone's storage space:
- Go to settings.
- Tap General iPhone storage.
Tip: If you're low on storage, delete some data and try again.
To access your photos, make sure that the Google Drive app has permissions in settings.
- Go to settings.
- Tap Privacy Photos.
- For Google Drive, select All photos.
Tip: Try to restart your iPhone. This can help to refresh the app and system settings.