The three ways to get files into Google Drive

You can save files to Google Drive by uploading them from your computer, by creating new documents directly in Google Drive, or by saving files from other apps that connect to Google Drive. The method you use depends on whether you already have a file you want to move, or whether you are starting fresh.

Google Drive works on Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android, and through any web browser. The steps differ slightly depending on which device you use, but the end result is the same: your files land in your Google Drive storage, where you can access them from anywhere.

Key Takeaways

  • You can upload files from your computer by dragging them into the Google Drive website, or by clicking the New button and selecting File Upload.
  • Google Drive stores files in your account's cloud storage, so you can open them on any device without emailing or transferring them manually.
  • Files created in Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides save automatically to Google Drive as you work, with no separate save step required.
  • The Google Drive app on your phone or tablet lets you save photos and documents directly from your device to your Drive storage.
  • You can set up automatic backups of your computer's folders using Google Drive for Desktop, which syncs files between your computer and the cloud.

Uploading files from your computer to Google Drive

The fastest way to move a file from your computer to Google Drive is to drag it directly into the browser window. Open drive.google.com in your web browser, sign in with your Google account, and drag a file or folder from your computer's file manager into the white space on the left side of the Google Drive window. The file uploads automatically.

If dragging does not work on your computer, use the New button instead. Click the New button in the top left, select File upload, and choose the file from your computer. For folders, select Folder upload instead. Google Drive uploads the entire folder and everything inside it.

Uploads happen in the background, so you can keep working while files transfer. A small progress indicator appears in the bottom right corner. Large files may take several minutes depending on your internet speed.

Creating and saving new documents in Google Drive

When you create a new document, spreadsheet, or presentation in Google Drive, it saves automatically as you type. Click the New button and select Google Docs, Google Sheets, or Google Slides depending on what you need. A blank document opens in a new tab.

The document is already saved to your Google Drive — you do not need to click a save button. Google saves your work every few seconds, so if your internet cuts out or your browser closes, your changes are still there. When you close the tab or navigate away, your work remains in Google Drive under the default name "Untitled document" until you rename it.

To rename a document, click the title at the top of the page and type a new name. Press Enter to confirm. The new name appears in your Google Drive file list when ready.

Saving files from other apps to Google Drive

Many apps outside of Google — including Microsoft Office, Adobe, Canva, and others — let you save directly to Google Drive without uploading afterward. When you click Save or Save As in these apps, look for a Google Drive option in the list of storage locations.

The first time you do this, the app asks permission to connect to your Google account. Click Allow or Connect, and you are then able to choose a folder in your Google Drive and save the file there. After that, the app remembers your choice and saves to Google Drive by default.

This method is faster than saving to your computer first and uploading later, because the file goes directly to the cloud in one step.

Using Google Drive for Desktop to sync your computer folders

Google Drive for Desktop is a program you install on your Windows or Mac computer that keeps a folder on your computer in sync with Google Drive. Any file you add to that folder automatically uploads to Google Drive, and any file you add to Google Drive automatically appears in that folder on your computer.

read Google Drive for Desktop from google.com/drive/read, install it, and sign in with your Google account. Choose which folders on your computer you want to sync, or sync your entire Google Drive. After setup, you can save files to your computer as usual, and they appear in Google Drive within seconds.

This method is useful if you work with files on your computer and want them backed up to the cloud automatically, or if you want to work offline and have changes sync when you reconnect to the internet.

Saving files from your phone or tablet to Google Drive

On iPhone or Android, install the Google Drive app from the App Store or Google Play. Open the app, tap the + button (or the pencil icon, depending on your device), and select Upload. Choose a photo, document, or file from your phone, and it saves to Google Drive.

You can also take a photo or scan a document directly in the Google Drive app. Tap the + button, select Capture, and take a photo or scan. The image saves to Google Drive as a file you can search, share, and organize like any other file.

Files saved from your phone appear in your Google Drive on your computer and other devices within seconds, so you can continue working on them anywhere.

Organizing files into folders after you save them

After you save files to Google Drive, you can organize them into folders to keep things tidy. In Google Drive, click New, select Folder, and give it a name. Drag files into the folder, or right-click a file, select Move, and choose the folder.

You can create folders inside folders to build a structure that makes sense for your work. For example, you might create a folder called "2024 Projects" with subfolders for each project inside. This organization helps you find files later without scrolling through a long list.

Folders in Google Drive work the same way on your phone, tablet, and computer, so organizing on one device updates everywhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much storage space do I get in Google Drive?

A free Google account includes 15 GB of storage shared across Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos. If you need more, you can purchase additional storage through Google One, which offers plans starting at 100 GB. You can check how much storage you are using by clicking the gear icon in Google Drive and selecting "Storage".

Can I save a file to Google Drive and still keep it on my computer?

Yes. When you upload a file to Google Drive through the website, the original stays on your computer. If you use Google Drive for Desktop, files sync both ways — they exist on your computer and in Google Drive at the same time. You can delete the computer copy without affecting the Google Drive version.

What happens if I lose internet connection while uploading a file?

If your connection drops during upload, Google Drive pauses the upload. When you reconnect, the upload resumes automatically from where it left off. You do not need to start over. For very large files, this can save time.

Can I save files from Microsoft Word or Excel to Google Drive?

Yes. In Microsoft Office, click File, then Save As, and look for Google Drive in the list of locations. You can also save to your computer first and then drag the file into Google Drive. Office files save as .docx or .xlsx, or you can convert them to Google Docs or Sheets format during the save process.

Do files in Google Drive stay private by default?

Yes. When you save a file to Google Drive, only you can see it. To share it with others, you must click the Share button and enter their email addresses or create a shareable link. Google Drive does not make files public unless you explicitly change the sharing settings.