The fastest way to duplicate a folder in Google Drive

Right-click the folder you want to copy, select Make a copy, and Google Drive creates a duplicate with "(Copy)" added to the name in the same location. The copy includes all files and subfolders inside the original. The process takes a few seconds for small folders and longer for folders with hundreds of files.

If you cannot see the Make a copy option, you do not have editor access to the folder. You can only copy folders you own or that someone has given you editor permission to modify. Viewer and commenter access do not allow copying.

The duplicate appears in the same location as the original — usually your My Drive or a shared folder. If you want it somewhere else, drag it to the new location after the copy finishes.

Key Takeaways

  • Right-click any folder you own or have editor access to and select Make a copy to create a duplicate with all contents included.
  • The copy lands in the same spot as the original and gets "(Copy)" added to its name so you can tell them apart.
  • Copying a folder does not affect the original — changes to the copy do not show up in the original folder.
  • Large folders with thousands of files may take several minutes to copy, and Google Drive will show a progress notification.
  • If you do not see Make a copy, you need editor permission from the folder owner before you can duplicate it.

Step-by-step: copying a folder from your computer or phone

On a computer, open Google Drive in your browser, locate the folder, and right-click it. A menu appears with several options. Click Make a copy. A dialog box opens asking where you want the copy to go — by default it stays in the same location. You can change the name of the copy here if you want something other than "(Copy)". Click Make a copy again to confirm.

On an Android or iPhone, open the Google Drive app, find the folder, tap the three dots next to it, and select Make a copy. The same dialog appears. Change the name if needed and tap Make a copy. The app shows a notification when the copy is done.

While the copy is happening, you can keep working in Google Drive. A small notification in the bottom right (on computer) or top of the screen (on phone) tells you the status. Do not close the browser tab or app until the notification says the copy is complete.

What happens to permissions when you copy a folder

The copy you create is owned by you, and only you have access to it at first. If the original folder was shared with other people, those people do not automatically get access to the copy. You have to share the copy separately if you want them to see it.

This is different from moving a folder — when you move a folder, the sharing stays the same. When you copy it, you start fresh with no sharing. This protects you from accidentally giving people access to a folder you meant to keep private.

If you want the copy to have the same sharing as the original, open the copy after it is done, click Share, and add the same people or groups. You can also change the sharing settings to be more or less restrictive than the original.

Copying a folder to a different Google Drive account

If you want to copy a folder from one Google account to another, the folder has to be shared with the second account first. Ask the owner of the original folder to share it with your other email address and give you editor access. Then sign into your second account, open the shared folder, right-click it, and select Make a copy.

The copy will appear in your second account's My Drive. You now own this copy and can modify it, share it, or move it without affecting the original folder or the first account.

If the original folder is very large, this process may take a long time. Google Drive does not have a way to pause or resume a copy in progress, so make sure you have a stable internet connection before you start.

Renaming and organizing your copied folder

After the copy finishes, Google Drive adds "(Copy)" to the end of the folder name. You can rename it right away by right-clicking the folder, selecting Rename, typing a new name, and pressing Enter. On a phone, tap the three dots and select Rename.

The copy starts in the same location as the original. If you want it in a different folder, drag it to the new location on a computer, or on a phone, tap the three dots, select Move, and choose where it should go.

You can also create a new folder first, then move the copy into it. This is useful if you want to organize copies separately from originals or if you are copying multiple folders and want to keep them grouped together.

Troubleshooting: when copying does not work

If Make a copy does not appear in the menu, you do not have editor permission. Contact the folder owner and ask them to give you editor access. Viewer and commenter permissions only let you see the folder — they do not let you copy it.

If the copy starts but seems to hang or take too long, check your internet connection. Large folders with thousands of files can take 10 to 30 minutes or longer. Do not close the browser tab or app — the copy will stop if you do. If your connection drops, you may have to start over.

If you see an error message like "Something went wrong" or "Could not complete the operation," try refreshing the page and copying again. If the error keeps happening, the folder may be too large for your account's storage space. Check how much storage you have left in your Google Drive settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does copying a folder use up my Google Drive storage?

Yes. The copy takes up the same amount of storage as the original. If your original folder is 5 GB, the copy will also be 5 GB, and you need 10 GB of free space total. Check your storage in Google Drive settings before copying very large folders.

Can I copy a folder that someone shared with me?

Only if you have editor access. If you have viewer or commenter access, you cannot copy the folder. Ask the owner to change your permission to editor, or ask them to make a copy for you and share the copy instead.

What if I copy a folder by mistake?

Delete the copy by right-clicking it and selecting Delete. The original folder stays unchanged. Deleted folders go to your Trash for 30 days before Google Drive removes them permanently, so you can restore it during that time if you change your mind.

Does the copy include shared files inside the folder?

Yes, all files copy over, but the sharing settings do not. If a file inside the original folder was shared with specific people, those people do not automatically get access to the file in the copy. You have to share the copy's files separately.

Can I copy a folder that is inside a shared folder?

Yes, if you have editor access to the shared folder. Right-click the subfolder and select Make a copy. The copy goes to the same shared folder by default, but you can move it to your My Drive or another location after it is done.