Upload your video in three steps, then copy the shareable link

Open Google Drive in your web browser, click the "New" button on the left side, and select "File upload" to choose a video from your computer. Google Drive accepts most common video formats — MP4, MOV, AVI, and others — though very large files may take longer to upload depending on your internet speed. Once the upload finishes, right-click the video file, select "Share," and choose who can access it. Copy the link that appears and send it to whoever needs to watch the video.

The whole process takes a few minutes for smaller videos. Larger files — anything over 500 MB — may upload in the background while you do other things, and you can check the upload progress by looking at the notification icon in the top right corner of your screen.

Key Takeaways

  • Click "New" in Google Drive, select "File upload," and choose your video file from your computer to begin uploading.
  • Right-click the uploaded video, select "Share," and adjust permissions to control whether people can view, comment, or edit the file.
  • Copy the shareable link from the Share window and send it directly to the people who need to watch the video.
  • Large video files upload in the background, and you can monitor progress through the notification icon at the top of the screen.

Step-by-step upload process

Start by going to Google Drive (drive.google.com) and signing in with your Google account. On the left side of the screen, you will see a blue button labeled "New." Click it to open a menu with several options.

From that menu, select "File upload." A window will open showing the folders on your computer. Navigate to wherever your video is stored, click on the video file to select it, and click "Open." Google Drive will begin uploading the file when ready. You can close this window or leave it open to watch the progress bar — either way, the upload continues in the background.

How to share the video link

Once the upload finishes (you will see a checkmark next to the filename), right-click on the video file. A menu will appear with several options. Click "Share" near the top of that menu.

A "Share" window will open on the right side of your screen. At the top, you will see a blue button that says "Change to anyone with the link" or shows the current sharing setting. Click that button to decide who can access the video. The options are usually "Restricted" (only people you specifically invite), "Anyone with the link" (anyone who has the link can view it), or "Public on the web" (anyone can find it through search). Choose the option that fits your needs.

Below the sharing setting, you will see a link that starts with "https://drive.google.com/file/d/". This is your shareable link. Click the copy icon next to it (usually a small square with two overlapping rectangles), and the link will be copied to your clipboard. You can now paste it into an email, message, or anywhere else you want to share it.

Controlling what people can do with the video

When you share a video, you can also decide whether people can only view it, or whether they can comment or make changes. In the Share window, look for a dropdown menu (usually showing "Viewer," "Commenter," or "Editor") next to the sharing setting. Click that dropdown to change the permission level.

"Viewer" means people can watch the video but cannot comment or change anything. "Commenter" lets people add comments below the video. "Editor" gives them the ability to delete or modify the file, so use this only for people you trust completely. For most situations, "Viewer" is the right choice.

What to do if your video is too large to upload

Google Drive allows free accounts to store up to 15 GB total across all files. If your video is extremely large or you are running out of storage space, you have a few options. You can delete other files from your Google Drive to make room, or you can purchase additional storage through Google One (Google's paid storage plan).

Alternatively, you can compress the video before uploading it. Many free video compression tools are available online — search for "video compressor" and choose one that works with your video format. Compressing reduces file size but may lower the video quality slightly. Test the compressed version to make sure it still looks acceptable before sharing it.

Troubleshooting common upload problems

If your upload keeps stopping or failing, check your internet connection first. A weak or unstable connection is the most common cause. Try moving closer to your router or switching to a wired connection if possible, then restart the upload.

If the video file itself seems to be the problem, make sure it is in a format Google Drive recognizes. The most reliable formats are MP4 and MOV. If your video is in an unusual format, you may need to convert it using free online tools before uploading. You can also try uploading the file again — sometimes a single failed attempt is just a temporary glitch.

If you shared the link but people say they cannot access the video, check the sharing settings again. Right-click the video, select "Share," and confirm that the permission level is not set to "Restricted" (which would only let specific people view it). If it is restricted, change it to "Anyone with the link" so anyone who has the link can watch it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I upload a video directly from my phone to Google Drive?

Yes. read the Google Drive app on your phone, tap the "+" button, select "Upload," and choose the video from your phone's storage. The process is the same as uploading from a computer, though uploads may be slower on mobile depending on your connection speed.

What happens if I delete the video from Google Drive after sharing the link?

The link will stop working when ready. Anyone who tries to access it will see an error message saying the file no longer exists. Keep the video in your Google Drive as long as you want people to be able to watch it.

Can I change the sharing settings after I send the link to someone?

Yes. Right-click the video anytime, select "Share," and adjust the permissions. The change takes effect when ready for everyone who has the link. If you change it from "Anyone with the link" to "Restricted," people who previously had access will lose it.

Is there a limit to how many people can watch a video I share?

No. Google Drive can handle unlimited viewers on a single shared file. The only limit is your storage space — if you run out of room, you cannot upload new files until you delete something or buy more storage.

Can I see who watched my video after I shared the link?

Not with the standard sharing link. Google Drive shows you who has access to the file, but it does not track whether they actually opened or watched the video. If you need that information, you would need to use a different video hosting service like YouTube, which provides view counts and analytics.