What to Do When You Can't Download Files from Google Drive
Download Option Not Showing in Google Drive: How to Fix It
Have you ever encountered a situation where you want to download a file from Google Drive, but you can't see the download option? This can be frustrating, especially if you need the file urgently. But don't worry, there are some possible solutions that can help you fix this problem.
In this article, we will explain why the download option is not showing in Google Drive, how to check and change the file permissions, and how to download restricted files from Google Drive. By the end of this article, you will be able to download any file from Google Drive without any hassle.
download option not showing in google drive
How to Check the File Permissions
One of the most common reasons why the download option is not showing in Google Drive is that the file owner has blocked the downloads for the shared members. This means that the file owner has set the file permissions to view-only, which prevents anyone else from downloading, copying, or editing the file.
To check the file permissions, you need to access the file on your desktop browser or mobile app. Here are the steps for both methods:
How to View the File Permissions on Desktop Browser
Open your web browser and go to .
Sign in with your Google account if you haven't already.
Locate the file that you want to download and right-click on it.
Select Share or Share option from the menu.
A pop-up window will appear with the sharing settings. Here you can see who has access to the file and what permissions they have.
If you see a lock icon next to your name, it means that you have view-only permission and you cannot download the file.
If you see a pencil icon next to your name, it means that you have edit permission and you can download the file.
How to View the File Permissions on Mobile App
Open your Google Drive app on your Android or iPhone device.
Tap on the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the top left corner of the screen.
Select Shared with me from the menu.
Find the file that you want to download and tap on it.
Tap on the three dots icon at the top right corner of the screen.
Select Details from the menu.
A new screen will open with the file details. Here you can see who has access to the file and what permissions they have.
If you see a lock icon next to your name, it means that you have view-only permission and you cannot download the file.
If you see a pencil icon next to your name, it means that you have edit permission and you can download the file.
How to Change the File Permissions
If you are the owner of the file that you want to download, or if you have edit permission for the file, you can change the file permissions to enable the download option for yourself and others. Here are the steps to do that:
How to Enable the Download Option for Shared Files on Desktop Browser
Open your web browser and go to .
Sign in with your Google account if you haven't already.
Locate the file that you want to download and right-click on it.
Select Share or Share option from the menu.
A pop-up window will appear with the sharing settings. Here you can see who has access to the file and what permissions they have.
If you want to enable the download option for everyone who has the link, click on the drop-down menu next to Anyone with the link and select Viewer (can view, copy, download).
If you want to enable the download option for specific people, click on the pencil icon next to their names and select Viewer (can view, copy, download).
Click Done to save the changes.
How to Enable the Download Option for Shared Files on Mobile App
Open your Google Drive app on your Android or iPhone device.
Tap on the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the top left corner of the screen.
Select Shared with me from the menu.
Find the file that you want to download and tap on it.
Tap on the three dots icon at the top right corner of the screen.
Select Details from the menu.
A new screen will open with the file details. Here you can see who has access to the file and what permissions they have.
If you want to enable the download option for everyone who has the link, tap on Link Sharing and select Viewer (can view, copy, download).
If you want to enable the download option for specific people, tap on their names and select Viewer (can view, copy, download).
Tap Save to save the changes.
How to Download Restricted Files from Google Drive
If you have view-only permission for a file in Google Drive, and you cannot change the file permissions, you may still be able to download some restricted files using some workarounds. However, this depends on the type of file and how it is shared. Here are some methods that may work for different types of files:
How to Download Restricted Video from Google Drive
If you want to download a video file that is shared with view-only permission, you can try these steps:
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Open your web browser and go to .
Sign in with your Google account if you haven't already.
Locate the video file that you want to download and double-click on it.
The video will start playing in a new tab. Right-click anywhere on the video and select Inspect or Inspect Element from the menu.
A panel will open with some code. Press Ctrl+F (Windows) or Command+F (Mac) and type "video/mp4" in the search box.
You will find a URL that starts with . Copy this URL and paste it in a new tab.
The video will start playing again. Right-click anywhere on the video and select Save Video As from the menu.
Choose a location and a name for your video file and click Save.
How to Download Restricted PDF from Google Drive
If you want to download a PDF file that is shared with view-only permission, you can try these steps:
Open your web browser and go to .
Sign in with your Google account if you haven't already.
Locate the PDF file that you want to download and double-click on it.
The PDF will open in a new tab. Click on Print icon at the top right corner of the screen.
A print preview window will appear. Click on Change under Destination and select Save as PDF from the list of options.
Click Save and choose a location and a name for your PDF file.
How to Download Restricted Google DocsIf you want to download a Google Docs file that is shared with view-only permission, you can try these steps:
Open your web browser and go to .
Sign in with your Google account if you haven't already.
Locate the Google Docs file that you want to download and double-click on it.
The Google Docs file will open in a new tab. Click on File at the top left corner of the