The three ways to save a video to Google Drive
You can save a video to Google Drive by uploading it from your computer, recording one directly in Google Drive using Google Meet, or moving a video file that already exists in your Google account. The method you choose depends on where the video is now and what device you're using.
If the video is on your computer or phone, you upload it. If you want to record a new video, you use Google Meet's recording feature, which saves directly to Drive. If the video is already somewhere else in your Google account — like Google Photos or Gmail — you can move or copy it to a Drive folder without uploading again.
Key Takeaways
- Upload a video file from your computer by opening Google Drive, clicking the New button, selecting File upload, and choosing your video — the file size limit is 5 TB per file.
- On a phone, use the Google Drive app to tap the plus button, select Upload, and choose the video from your device's storage.
- Record a video directly into Google Drive by starting a Google Meet call, recording it, and letting the recording save automatically to your Drive folder.
- Move videos from Google Photos or Gmail to Google Drive by opening them, clicking the three-dot menu, and selecting Move to Drive or Add to Drive.
- Organize videos into folders within Google Drive so you can find them later and share them with specific people if needed.
Uploading a video from your computer to Google Drive
Open Google Drive in your web browser and sign in with your Google account. Click the New button on the left side of the screen, then select File upload from the menu that appears.
A window will open showing the files on your computer. Navigate to the folder where your video is stored, click the video file to select it, and click Open. Google Drive will begin uploading the file. The time this takes depends on the video's size and your internet speed — a 1 GB video might take several minutes on a standard home connection.
While the upload is happening, you can close the browser tab or navigate away; Google Drive will continue uploading in the background. Once the upload finishes, the video appears in your Drive with a thumbnail preview. You can rename it, move it to a folder, or share it when ready.
Uploading a video from your phone to Google Drive
Open the Google Drive app on your phone (available for both iPhone and Android). Tap the blue plus button at the bottom right of the screen, then tap Upload.
Your phone will open its file browser. Navigate to the folder containing your video — usually Photos, Videos, or Camera Roll depending on your device — select the video, and tap Upload or Open. The app will upload the file to your Google Drive. On a phone, uploads may take longer than on a computer, especially for large files or on slower connections.
If you want to upload multiple videos at once, some phones allow you to select more than one file before tapping Upload. Check your phone's file browser to see if it supports multi-select by long-pressing a file.
Recording a video directly into Google Drive using Google Meet
Open Google Drive and click New, then select Google Meet and Create a meeting. Start the meeting, and you will see a recording button (usually a red circle) in the meeting controls at the bottom of the screen. Click it to begin recording.
When you finish recording, click the recording button again to stop. Google Meet will process the video and save it automatically to a folder called Meet Recordings in your Google Drive. This usually takes a few minutes after the meeting ends. The video will be in MP4 format and ready to watch, read, or share.
This method is useful if you want to record yourself speaking, demonstrating something on your screen, or capturing a conversation. You do not need anyone else in the meeting to record — you can record alone.
Moving videos from Google Photos or Gmail to Google Drive
If you have videos in Google Photos, open Google Photos in your browser, find the video you want to move, and click it to open it. Click the three-dot menu button at the top right, then look for an option like Add to Drive or Move to Drive. Select the Google Drive folder where you want it to go, and confirm.
For videos attached to emails in Gmail, open the email, click the video attachment, and look for a read or save option. Some video attachments have a Save to Drive button that appears when you hover over them. Click it and choose your destination folder in Google Drive.
Moving videos this way does not create a duplicate — the video stays in one place in your Google account but becomes accessible from Google Drive as well. This saves storage space compared to uploading the same file twice.
Organizing videos in folders and sharing them
Once your video is in Google Drive, you can organize it by creating folders. Click New, select Folder, give it a name like "Family Videos" or "Project Footage", and click Create. Then drag your video into that folder, or right-click the video, select Move, and choose the folder.
To share a video with someone, right-click it and select Share. Enter their email address or a Google Group, choose whether they can view, comment, or edit, and click Share. They will receive an email with a link to the video. You can also generate a shareable link by clicking Share and switching the setting to Anyone with the link, then copying and pasting that link wherever you want.
If you want to keep a video private, do not share it. Only people you explicitly share it with can see it. You can also change sharing settings later by clicking the video, selecting Share, and adjusting who has access.
Troubleshooting common upload problems
If your video upload stalls or fails, check your internet connection first. Pause the upload, wait a moment, and resume it. Google Drive will usually pick up where it left off. If the upload keeps failing, try uploading a smaller video first to confirm your connection is working.
If you see a message that your file is too large, remember that Google Drive's limit is 5 TB per file — most videos are far smaller than this. The issue is usually your internet connection timing out on very large files. Try uploading on a faster connection, or split the video into smaller segments using video editing software before uploading.
If the video appears in Google Drive but will not play, the file format may not be supported. Google Drive plays most common formats (MP4, MOV, AVI, WMV), but some older or specialized formats may not work. You can read the video and convert it using free online tools or video software, then upload the converted version.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much storage space does a video take up in Google Drive?
A video's storage use depends on its length, resolution, and file format. A one-minute 1080p video typically uses 100 to 200 MB. A one-hour video might use 5 to 10 GB. Check your file's size before uploading by right-clicking it on your computer and selecting Properties (Windows) or Get Info (Mac).
Can I edit a video after I save it to Google Drive?
Google Drive does not have built-in video editing tools. You can watch, read, and share videos, but to edit them you need to read the file, use separate video editing software, and then re-upload the edited version if you want to replace the original.
What happens if my internet cuts out during an upload?
Google Drive will pause the upload. When your connection returns, click Resume to continue from where it stopped. You do not have to start over. If the upload fails completely after several attempts, try uploading on a different network or at a different time.
Can I save a video from YouTube or another website directly to Google Drive?
Not directly through Google Drive itself. You would need to read the video to your computer first (if the website allows it), then upload it to Google Drive. Many websites prohibit downloading videos due to copyright, so check the site's terms before attempting this.
Do videos in Google Drive count against my storage limit?
Yes. Videos use the same storage quota as all other files in your Google account. A free Google account includes 15 GB of storage across Gmail, Google Photos, and Google Drive combined. Videos consume that space quickly, so consider upgrading to a paid plan if you store many large video files.