How to Add Files to Google Drive Online

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Jack Lloyd. Jack Lloyd is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. He has over two years of experience writing and editing technology-related articles. He is technology enthusiast and an English teacher.

The wikiHow Tech Team also followed the article's instructions and verified that they work.

This article has been viewed 376,610 times.

This wikiHow teaches you how to upload files from your computer, smartphone, or tablet to your Google Drive account. Google Drive is a free feature included with any Google Account; if you don't yet have a Google Account, create one before proceeding.

Method 1 of 3:

On the Google Drive Website

Fair Use (screenshot)
\n">

If you aren't logged into your Google Account, click the blue Go to Google Drive button in the middle of the page, then enter your Google Account's email address and password.

Fair Use (screenshot)
\n"> Click NEW . This blue button is in the upper-left corner of the page. A drop-down menu will appear. Advertisement

an upload option." width="460" height="345" />

Fair Use (screenshot)
\n">

File upload - Allows you to select a specific file or group of files to upload.
Folder upload - Allows you to select an entire folder to upload.

Fair Use (screenshot)
\n">

You can select multiple files by holding down Ctrl (Windows) or ⌘ Command (Mac) while clicking each file you want to select.
Keep in mind that you can't upload more than 15 gigabytes of files without paying for additional storage.

Fair Use (screenshot)
\n">

If you're uploading a folder, you'll click OK instead.

Fair Use (screenshot)
\n">

Do not close the Google Drive webpage during this time.
Once the files finish uploading, you'll be able to access them from Google Drive on any Internet-connected computer or smartphone.

Fair Use (screenshot)
\n">

To create a new folder in Google Drive, click NEW, click Folder in the drop-down menu, type in a name, and press ↵ Enter .

Advertisement Method 2 of 3:

On Mobile

Fair Use (screenshot)
\n">

If you aren't logged in, enter your email address and password before proceeding.
If you haven't yet downloaded Google Drive, you can do so for free from the iPhone's App Store or your Android's Google Play Store.

Fair Use (screenshot)
\n"> Tap ＋ . It's in the lower-right corner of the screen. A pop-up menu will appear.

Fair Use (screenshot)
\n"> Tap Upload . This option is in the pop-up menu.

an upload option." width="460" height="345" />

Fair Use (screenshot)
\n">

iPhone - Tap Photos and Videos to select photos and/or videos from your Photos app, or tap Browse to select files from the Files app.
Android - Select a file location in the resulting menu. You should see at least an Images and a Videos option here.

Fair Use (screenshot)
\n">

On an iPhone, some files will upload immediately after being tapped.

Fair Use (screenshot)
\n">

Tap UPLOAD . It's in the upper-right corner of the screen. Your selected file(s) will begin uploading to Google Drive.

Fair Use (screenshot)
\n">

Do not close the Google Drive app during this time.
Once the files finish uploading, you'll be able to access them from Google Drive on any Internet-connected computer or smartphone.

Advertisement Method 3 of 3:

On Desktop

Fair Use (screenshot)
\n">

Open the Backup and Sync website. Go to https://www.google.com/drive/download/backup-and-sync/ in your computer's web browser. Google Drive's "Backup and Sync" feature allows you to upload files to your Google Drive account simply by moving the files into a folder on your computer while connected to the Internet.

Fair Use (screenshot)
\n"> Click Download Backup and Sync . It's a blue button in the middle of the page.

Fair Use (screenshot)
\n">

Click Agree and download when prompted. The Backup and Sync EXE file (Windows) or DMG file (Mac) will begin downloading onto your computer.

Fair Use (screenshot)
\n">

Windows - Double-click the setup file, click Yes when prompted, and wait for Backup and Sync to install.
Mac - Double-click the setup file, verify the installation if prompted, double-click the icon in the middle of the window, and wait for Backup and Sync to install.

Fair Use (screenshot)
\n"> Click GET STARTED . It's a blue button in the middle of the welcome page.

Fair Use (screenshot)
\n">

Sign into your Google Drive account. Enter your Google Drive email address and password when prompted. As long as your login credentials are correct, you'll be signed into your Google Account in Backup and Sync.

Fair Use (screenshot)
\n"> Click GOT IT when prompted. Doing so takes you to the sync page.

Fair Use (screenshot)
\n">

Remember, you only have 15 gigabytes' worth of free storage in Google Drive.

Fair Use (screenshot)
\n"> Click NEXT . It's in the bottom-right corner of the window.

Fair Use (screenshot)
\n">

In most cases, Google Drive will simply sync your Drive contents with your computer.

Fair Use (screenshot)
\n"> Click START . It's in the bottom-right corner of the window.

Fair Use (screenshot)
\n">

For example, if you synced your desktop folder with Google Drive, you'll move files or folders to the Desktop in order to sync them to Google Drive.

Fair Use (screenshot)
\n">

Review your computer's folders from Google Drive. You can see the folders on your computer by opening Google Drive, clicking the Computers tab on the left side of the page, and selecting your computer.

Community Q&A

How can I share files with others? Community Answer

When you open/preview the file, there should be a "share" button at the top. Just click on this and enter their email.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

How do I view files uploaded in Google Drive? Community Answer

Your newly-uploaded files will appear in the "My Drive" folder after they've finished uploading. From there, you can send them to new folders in Drive. Google Drive has a document viewer, video player, and music player built-in, allowing you to open most files directly in Drive.

How do I access the files from another computer? Community Answer

Sign into Google using your email account, then upload the files. The files will be available on any computer as long as you sign into that email account.

Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Advertisement Google Drive is a good option for backing up important files or folders.

You can access any file that you upload to Google Drive from any Internet-connected computer, smartphone, or tablet by signing into your Google Drive account.

Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Please provide your name and last initial Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement Files stored in Google Drive will be lost if you ever delete your Google Account. Advertisement