How do you share a folder and set permissions in Google Drive?
Share a Google Drive folder by email or link, pick the right access level, and revoke it later.
Short answer
At drive.google.com, right-click the folder and choose Share > Share. Type an email address in the people box, pick Viewer, Commenter or Editor from the menu on the right, then click Send. For a link, open the General access section, switch Restricted to Anyone with the link, and hit Copy link. The whole thing takes about two minutes.
What you need
Step by step
Open Drive and locate the folder
Go to drive.google.com in your browser and sign in to your Google account. Find the folder you want to share under My Drive in the left sidebar. If your list is crowded, type the folder name into the Search in Drive box at the top to filter it down.
Open the Share dialog
Right-click the folder and choose Share > Share from the menu. On a phone, tap the three-dot icon next to the folder in the Drive app and tap Share. The dialog header shows the folder name along with the People with access list, so you can see who already has it.
Add people and choose an access level
Type the recipient's email address into the Add people and groups box and pick it from the suggestions. Use the dropdown to the right of the address to set Viewer, Commenter or Editor. Viewers can only open and download, Commenters can leave notes, and Editors can add, delete and rename files.
Write a note and send
Optionally add a short explanation in the Add a message field; that text appears in the notification email. Leave Notify people checked if you want the recipient to get an invitation email. Click Send, and a two-person icon appears on the folder to show it is shared.
Set up link sharing
At the bottom of the same dialog, General access reads Restricted by default, meaning only the people you added can get in. To open it up, click Restricted, choose Anyone with the link, and set the adjacent menu to Viewer. Then press Copy link and pass it along by WhatsApp or email.
Review and tighten permissions
Click the gear icon (Settings) in the Share dialog. Uncheck Editors can change permissions and share, plus Viewers and commenters can see the option to download, print, copy. That way nobody but you can pass the folder on to someone else.
Remove access or set an expiry
To cut someone off, open the permission menu next to their name in the Share dialog, choose Remove access, and click Save. For temporary access, use Add expiration in the same menu and pick an end date up to a year out; this works for Viewer and Commenter roles only.
Tips
Watch out
Never combine Anyone with the link with Editor access. With that setting, anyone who gets hold of the link can delete or alter the files in the folder. Share ID scans, invoices and contracts by adding individual email addresses only, otherwise the link can end up in search results or in the wrong hands.
Frequently asked questions
+Why can't the other person see the folder I shared?
They should check Shared with me in the left sidebar at drive.google.com. To see it under My Drive, they can right-click the folder and use Organize > Add shortcut.
+Can I share a folder with a non-Gmail address?
Yes, a Hotmail or work address works too. If they need to edit, they either have to create a Google account with that address or use link-based access.
+Can I transfer folder ownership to someone else?
Set the person to Editor in the Share dialog, then choose Transfer ownership from the same menu. This only appears between accounts on the same Workspace domain; folder ownership cannot be transferred between personal Gmail accounts.
+How many people can I share one folder with?
You can add up to 600 people and groups directly to a single file or folder. For a wider audience, use Anyone with the link set to Viewer.
+If I remove sharing, are the files they downloaded deleted?
No. Removing access only cuts the connection through Drive; any copies already downloaded to their computer stay with them.
Sources and verification
Last verified: September 15, 2026. tell us. Menu labels reflect the English (en) Google Drive interface.
This content is for information only; for official procedures the relevant institution’s current announcements take precedence. Details: disclaimer.