An overview of Google Drive

Google Drive lets you store and access your files anywhere -- on the web, on your hard drive, or on the go. Here’s how it works:

1. Go to Google Drive on the web at drive.google.com.
2. Install Google Drive on your computer or mobile device.
3. Throw your files in Google Drive. It’s right there on your device.

Now your files go everywhere you do. Change a file on the web, on your computer, or on your mobile device and it updates on every device where you’ve installed Google Drive. Share, collaborate, or work alone: your files, your choice.

Store the first 15 GB of your stuff for free across Google Drive, Gmail, and Google+ Photos.

When your Google Drive grows, get another 100 GB of space (or more!) starting at $4.99 per month.

Access everything in your Google Drive from all your devices.

Your files are always waiting for you at drive.google.com, but you can also get them straight from your computer, smartphone, and tablet. Install Google Drive on multiple devices and Google Drive makes sure they’re all the same.

Get to your files after you go offline - Set up offline access

Follow these steps to enable offline access on your computer. Keep in mind that offline access is available only when you’re using Chrome or a Chrome OS device. If you use Chrome OS, there's no need to complete these steps, as offline access is already set up for you.

1. From drive.google.com in your Chrome browser, click More on the left-hand side of the screen.
2. Select Offline.
3. Setting up offline access is a two-step process. First, click the blue button that says Get the app. If you already have the app installed, you won't need to complete this step.
   
4. You'll be taken to the Chrome web store. Click Add to Chrome in the upper-right corner of the browser window.
5. Once the app is installed, you'll be taken to a Chrome page with the Google Drive app icon. To return to Drive, click the Google Drive icon.
6. On the right side of the dialog on the Offline Docs page, click the blue button that says Enable Offline. At this point, it also works to click on the gear icon in the top-right corner of your main Drive view and select Enable Offline to set up offline access.

Set up offline access for multiple accounts on the same computer

Only one Google account per Chrome profile can set up offline access to Drive. If you are unable to set up offline access because another user has already done so, you can create a new Chrome profile and then follow the above steps to add offline access for your account. Learn how to create a new Google Chrome profile.
If you're using Chrome OS and you're unable to set up offline access because another user has already done so, sign in as another Chrome OS user.

Access for Google documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and drawings

You can view Google documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and drawings without an Internet connection. You can also edit Google documents, presentations, and drawings while offline. View access isn't available for Google forms. Learn more about using Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drawings offline.

Disabling offline access

If you no longer want to access your Drive offline, click the gear icon in the upper-right corner of your browser window and select Disable Offline.

Protect your Google Drive by enabling offline access only on personal computers or computers where you have a password protected account. Enabling offline access on public or shared computers can put your data at risk, since others may be able to view your synced Google documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.

Intermittent Internet connection

If you're working with an intermittent Internet connection, type https://drive.google.com/#offline into your Chrome browser for a more stable view of your offline Drive.

Use Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides offline securely

Offline access is allowed on a computer-by-computer basis. In other words, you must allow offline access for each individual computer where you'd like to view your documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and drawings without an Internet connection. Offline copies of your documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and drawings will be synced to each computer where you've enabled offline, and anyone who uses those computers will have access to those documents. To help keep your documents secure, allow offline access on computers only you have access to.

Keep files synced. Just connect to the web – it's pretty much automatic.

Any time your device has Internet access, it checks in with Google Drive. That ensures your files and folders are always up to date. Change something on one device and it changes everywhere.

Stop emailing attachments. Start sharing.

Google Drive lets you choose exactly who – friends, family, colleagues – gets your files. You don’t need email attachments anymore. Just share your file, folder, or Google Doc from any device.

Collaborative.

Do you collaborate with others in Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides? Google Drive lets you continue to create, access, and collaborate in a version-free world.