How to use Google Drive

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Google Drive helps you keep all your files together. You can upload and share your files from any device, create new files, keep them organised, edit easily and share them with others.

If you're new to Google Drive, this article will help you get started by covering the most important and useful things you can do, from learning how to use Drive and keeping your files organised to getting tips for using it on your computer, phone or tablet.

Use Google Drive on your Android device

In this section, you'll learn to:

Use the Drive app on your device
Upload, share and organise your files
Use split screen with Google Drive

Use the Drive app on your device

On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Drive app. On the Home page, you can find:

Home

In the 'Home' section of Google Drive, you can:

Find the files and folders that you upload or sync, such as:
- Docs
- Sheets
- Slides
- Forms
Switch between 'Suggested' and 'Activity' tabs.
- To find the files and folders that you're most likely to use, you can use the 'Suggested' tab.
- To find files and folders based on recent changes and actions, you can use the 'Activity' tab.

Starred

To quickly find your important files or folders, you can add them to the 'Starred' section.

On your Android phone or tablet, open Google Drive .
Next to your file or folder, tap More actions Add to starred .

Shared

In the 'Shared' section, you can find files and folders that others have shared with you and that you have shared with others. To share a file or folder:

On your Android phone or tablet, open Google Drive .
Next to your file or folder, tap More actions Share .

Files

In the 'Files' section, you can find a list of all your files, regardless of their location. You can switch between 'My Drive' and 'Computer' tabs. To find the files and folders that you:

Stored in Google Drive: You can use the 'My Drive' tab.
Sync in Drive for desktop: You can use the 'Computer' tab. Learn how to use Drive for desktop.

Sign out of Google Drive

To sign out of Drive on Android, remove your Google Account from your device. To remove a Google Account:

On your Android device, open Settings .
Tap Users and accounts.
Select the account that you want to remove.
Tap Remove account Remove account.

To prevent access to your device from others:

Upload, share and organise your files

Upload or create files

You can upload files from your computer or create files in Google Drive.

Share and organise files

You can share files or folders for others to access, edit or comment on.

To find files that others have shared with you, go to Shared with me.

Use split screen with Google Drive

On an Android device with a large screen, you can open two instances of the Drive app side by side. For example, you can open a PDF on one side of your screen and scroll through your folders on the other screen.

To open two instances of the Drive app side by side:

If your device has more than 600 DPI and is on Android 12 or up:
1. On your Android device, open Google Drive .
2. On any Drive item, tap Menu .
3. Select Open in split view.
If your device is on Android 7 or up:
1. On your Android device, open Google Drive .
2. Enter split-screen mode with another app.
3. On any Drive item, tap Menu .
4. Select Open in other window.

To open two instances of the Drive app with two different accounts:

If your device has more than 600 DPI and is on Android 12 or up:
1. On your Android device, open Google Drive .
2. Next to a file, tap Menu .
3. Select Open in split view.
4. At the top right of the new window, select your profile photo.
5. Switch your account.
If your device is on Android 7 or up:
1. On your Android device, open Google Drive .
2. Enter split-screen mode with another app.
3. On any Drive item, tap Menu .
4. Select Open in other window.
5. At the top right of the new window, select your profile photo.
6. Switch your account.