Skip to main content
    Step 1 of 5
    Apps & Services
    Beginner
    4 min read 5 stepsApril 19, 2026Verified April 2026

    How to Share a Google Drive Folder with Family or Friends

    Share a Google Drive folder so family members can view, add, or edit files together — great for sharing photos, documents, and more.

    At a Glance

    Category
    Apps & Services
    Difficulty
    Beginner
    Read Time
    4 min read
    Steps
    5
    Topics covered
    google drive
    sharing
    family sharing
    folders
    cloud storage
    collaboration
    files

    In this guide (5 steps):

    1. 1.Create or find the folder you want to share
    2. 2.Open the sharing settings
    3. 3.Add the people you want to share with
    4. 4.Send the invitation
    5. 5.Manage access later
    1

    Create or find the folder you want to share

    ~19s
    Go to drive.google.com in a web browser, or open the Google Drive app on your phone. To create a new folder, tap the "+" button and choose "New folder." Give the folder a clear name, like "Family Recipes" or "Vacation 2026." If the folder already exists, find it in your Drive.
    2

    Open the sharing settings

    ~15s
    On a computer, right-click the folder and choose "Share." On a phone, tap and hold the folder name until a menu appears, then tap "Share." A sharing panel will open.
    3

    Add the people you want to share with

    ~27s
    In the sharing panel, type the email address of the person you want to invite. Press Enter or tap Add after each address. Below the address field, there is a dropdown menu where you choose their permission level — "Viewer," "Commenter," or "Editor." Choose based on what you want them to be able to do.

    Quick Tip

    If you are inviting someone who has a Gmail address, start typing their name — Google may recognize it and fill it in automatically.

    4

    Send the invitation

    ~21s
    You can type a short message in the note field (like "Here is our family photo folder — feel free to add yours!"). When you are ready, tap or click "Send." Each person will get an email with a button that takes them directly to the shared folder.

    Warning

    Double-check email addresses before sending, especially for family members. A typo could share your folder with a stranger.

    5

    Manage access later

    ~18s
    To see who has access to a shared folder, right-click it (or tap-hold on mobile) and choose "Share" again. You will see the list of people and their permission levels. You can change someone's permissions or remove their access at any time by tapping their name and selecting a new option or "Remove access."

    You Did It!

    You've finished reading: How to Share a Google Drive Folder with Family or Friends

    How well did this guide stick with you?

    Need more help? Book a TekSure tech

    Google Drive is a free cloud storage service from Google where you can save files — documents, photos, videos, and more — and access them from any device. One of its most useful features is the ability to share a folder with other people so you can all put files in the same place.

    This is great for families. You can create a shared folder called "Family Photos" and invite everyone to add their pictures to it. Anyone with access can see what others have added, and everything stays organized in one location that no one needs to email back and forth.

    You can choose what kind of access each person gets when you share. "Viewer" means they can only look at files, not change them. "Commenter" means they can leave notes but not edit. "Editor" means they can add, change, and delete files just like you can. For a family photo folder, "Editor" access usually makes the most sense.

    Sharing works by sending an email invitation. The person you invite gets an email with a link. When they click it, they will be asked to sign in with their Google account (or create a free one), and then the shared folder appears in their Google Drive.

    Files in a shared folder count against the storage limit of the person who created the folder (the owner), not the people who have access to it. Google Drive gives everyone 15 gigabytes of free storage, which holds thousands of photos and documents.

    Google Drive is available in any web browser at drive.google.com, and as a free app for iPhone and Android.

    Rate this guide

    How helpful was this guide?

    google drive
    sharing
    family sharing
    folders
    cloud storage
    collaboration
    files

    Official Resources

    Apple App Store SupportGoogle Play HelpGCFGlobal — Apps

    Sources used to create and verify this guide. View all sources →

    ← Previous

    What Is a Digital Wallet and Is It Safe to Use?

    Next →

    Android Accessibility Features That Make Your Phone Easier to Use

    Still stuck? Let a pro handle it.

    A real person can walk you through this over the phone, anywhere in the US. If we can't fix it, you don't pay.

    Book a Verified Tech How It Works

    Learn more from official sources

    Related Guides

    How to Use Instagram: A Complete Beginner's Guide

    Learn to set up Instagram, post photos, follow friends, and browse safely — no experience needed.

    3 min read

    How to Use WhatsApp: Setup, Messaging & Video Calls

    Get started with WhatsApp — the world's most popular messaging app for free texts, calls, and video chats.

    2 min read

    How to Use Facebook: Connecting with Friends & Family

    A gentle guide to setting up Facebook, finding friends, posting updates, and using Marketplace safely.

    2 min read