What Disconnecting Google Drive Means

Disconnecting Google Drive means stopping the sync between your computer or phone and your Google account. When you disconnect, files stop uploading and downloading automatically, but your files remain in your Google Drive account online — they do not delete. You can reconnect later and access everything again.

The steps differ depending on whether you use Google Drive for desktop (the app that syncs folders to your computer), Google Drive on the web, or Drive on a phone. Each method removes the connection between that device and your account without affecting your stored files or other devices.

Key Takeaways

  • Disconnecting Google Drive stops sync on one device but leaves your files intact in your online account.
  • On Windows or Mac, you uninstall Google Drive for desktop or sign out within the app settings.
  • On Android or iPhone, you remove your Google account from the device or uninstall the Drive app.
  • Signing out of your Google account on the web does not delete Drive files — they stay in your account until you manually delete them.
  • If you share a device with others, removing only your account leaves their access unchanged.

Disconnecting Google Drive for Desktop on Windows or Mac

Google Drive for desktop is the app that syncs a folder on your computer with your Google account. To disconnect it, open the app and look for the menu icon (three dots or lines) in the top right corner of the window. Select Settings, then find the account section. Choose Disconnect account or Sign out. The app will ask you to confirm; once you do, the sync stops.

Your files remain on your computer in the Google Drive folder, but they no longer sync with your online account. If you want to remove the app entirely, you can uninstall it through your system settings (Windows Control Panel or Mac Applications folder). Uninstalling does not delete the files — they stay in the folder on your computer.

If you plan to reconnect later, leave the folder where it is. If you want to remove the folder as well, you can delete it after disconnecting, but make sure you have backed up any files you want to keep.

Disconnecting Google Drive on Android or iPhone

On a phone or tablet, you have two options: remove your Google account from the device entirely, or uninstall just the Google Drive app.

To remove your Google account: Go to Settings, select Accounts (or Users & Accounts), find your Google account, and choose Remove Account. This disconnects all Google services on that device, including Gmail, Google Photos, and Drive. Files already downloaded to your phone stay there, but new files will not sync.

To uninstall only the Drive app: Open your phone's app store (Google Play Store on Android, App Store on iPhone), find Google Drive, and select Uninstall. Your Google account remains on the device, so other Google apps still work. You can reinstall Drive later without re-entering your account details.

Signing Out of Google Drive on the Web

If you use Google Drive through a web browser at drive.google.com, signing out removes your access from that browser only. Click your profile picture in the top right corner and select Sign out. You are now logged out, but your files remain in your account.

This does not disconnect Drive from other devices — your phone, computer, or other browsers stay connected unless you disconnect them separately. If you share a computer with others and want to prevent them from seeing your Drive files, signing out is the right step. The next person who logs in will see their own account.

What Happens to Your Files After Disconnecting

Files in your Google Drive account remain online after you disconnect any device. They do not delete, and you can access them again by logging into your account from any device. If you had files synced to your computer or phone, those local copies stay on the device even after disconnecting — they just stop updating.

If you want to delete files permanently, you must do that manually. On the web, right-click a file and select Delete, or select multiple files and click the trash icon. Deleted files go to your Trash folder and stay there for 30 days before Google removes them permanently. On a phone or computer, deleting the local file does not delete the online version unless you are using Google Drive for desktop sync.

Reconnecting Google Drive Later

To reconnect on a computer, read Google Drive for desktop again from Google's website and sign in with your account. On a phone, reinstall the Google Drive app from your app store and sign in. On the web, go to drive.google.com and log in. All your files reappear exactly as you left them.

If you had synced files on your computer before disconnecting, they may still be in the Google Drive folder. When you reconnect, Google Drive will compare those files with your online account and sync any changes. If files were deleted online while you were disconnected, they will not reappear on your computer.

Disconnecting One Account While Keeping Another

If you have multiple Google accounts on one device, you can disconnect one without affecting the others. On Google Drive for desktop, the Settings menu shows all connected accounts. Select the account you want to remove and choose Disconnect. Other accounts stay connected and continue to sync.

On a phone, you can remove one Google account from Settings without removing others. On the web, signing out of one account does not sign out others — you can have multiple accounts open in different browser tabs. Each account's files remain separate and intact.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my files delete if I disconnect Google Drive?

No. Disconnecting stops the sync between a device and your account, but files remain in your Google Drive online. Files already on your computer or phone stay there too. You must manually delete files if you want them removed.

Can I disconnect Drive on one device without affecting others?

Yes. Disconnecting on your computer does not affect your phone, tablet, or web access. Each device connects independently, so you can disconnect one and leave others running.

What if I disconnect by accident?

You can reconnect when ready by signing back in. Your files are still in your account. On a computer, reinstall or reopen Google Drive for desktop and sign in. On a phone, sign back into your Google account or reinstall the app.

Does disconnecting Google Drive sign me out of Gmail or other Google services?

No. Disconnecting Drive only affects Drive. Your Gmail, Google Photos, and other services stay connected unless you sign out of your entire Google account. On a phone, removing your Google account does sign you out of all Google services at once.

How do I disconnect Google Drive if I forgot my password?

You can uninstall the app or remove the account from your device settings without knowing the password. On a computer, uninstall Google Drive for desktop. On a phone, go to Settings, find Accounts, and remove the Google account. If you need to access your files later, you can reset your password at accounts.google.com.