Get approvals on files in Google Drive

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Edit & reset approvals

Important: Once an edit is made, all approvers must approve the new changes. 

By default, files with requested approvals stay unlocked. Editors can edit, comment, or make suggestions on the file. 

Lock a document 

Important: To lock a document on mobile, turn on Lock file before sending approval request before you send the request.

Lock a document to make sure approvers can’t change it until it’s approved. No one can add edits, comments, or suggestions to locked documents.

Unlock a file to edit 

Important: When a file is unlocked or edited as part of an approval, recorded approvals reset and previous approvers must re-approve the document with the new changes. 

After a file is approved and locked, anyone with edit access can unlock the file and make new edits. When you attempt to edit a locked file on mobile, you’ll be asked if you want to unlock the file. If you agree, the file will be unlocked and you’ll be able to edit the file. 

When you make edits after approvals are complete, those approvals are associated with the previous version of the file. Learn how to check approvals on previous versions of a file. 

Tip: Unlock files after approvals are complete so they don’t get reset.

From Google Drive file list

1. On your iPhone or iPad, open Google Drive .
2. Next to the file you want to approve or reject, tap   .
   • To approve the file: Tap Approve. You can also add an optional note. 
   • To reject the file: Tap Reject. You can also add an optional note.

From Google Drive preview

1. On your iPhone or iPad, open Google Drive .
2. Open the file you want to approve or reject.
3. Tap More  Approvals  .
   • To approve the file: Tap Approve. You can also add an optional note. 
   • To reject the file: Tap Reject. You can also add an optional note.

Review approval details

Once approval is requested, you can check details about approval status, due date, and approval activity. 

From Google Drive file list

1. On your iPhone or iPad, open Google Drive .
2. Next to the file you want to review approval details for, tap More  Approvals  to find:
   • Approval status
   • Due date
   • Approval activity

From Google Drive preview

1. On your iPhone or iPad, open Google Drive .
2. Open the file you want to review approval details for.
3. Tap  Approvals to find:
   • Approval status
   • Due date
   • Approval activity 

Edit your request

After you file your approval request, you can change or cancel it.

From Google Drive file list

1. On your iPhone or iPad, open Google Drive .
2. Next to the file with an approval request you’d like to edit, tap More  Approvals .
3. From the approval details view:
   • Change approvers: Next to the current approver, tap More Change approver.
   • Add approvers: At the top, tap Add approver .
   • Change the due date: At the top, tap Calendar  and enter a new date. 

From Google Drive preview

1. On your iPhone or iPad, open Google Drive .
2. Open the file with an approval request you’d like to edit.
3. Tap More  Approvals .
4. From the approval details view: 
   • Change approvers: Next to the current approver, tap More  Change approver.
   • Add approvers: At the top, tap Add approver .
   • Change the due date: At the top, tap Calendar  and enter a new date. 

Cancel approval request

If you no longer want approval for your document, you can cancel your request.

From Google Drive file list

1. On your iPhone or iPad, open Google Drive .
2. Next to the file with an approval request you’d like to cancel, tap More   Cancel Request  .

From Google Drive preview

1. On your iPhone or iPad, open Google Drive .
2. Open the file with an approval request you’d like to cancel.
3. Tap More  Cancel Request  .

Review previous approvals for a file

From Google Drive file list

1. On your iPhone or iPad, open Google Drive .
2. Next to the file you want to review previous approval requests for, tap More   Approvals  .

From Google Drive preview

1. On your iPhone or iPad, open Google Drive .
2. Open the file you want to review approvals for.
3. At the top, tap View approved versions.
4. On the right, tap View approval detail.