This article shows you how to create a URL that allows you to directly download a file from Google Drive. By creating a direct URL to the download, the recipient will receive a link that will allow them to download the file instead of viewing it on the web.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Using a Computer
Step 1. Visit https://drive.google.com using a browser
If you are not already logged in to Google, click on Go to Google Drive to enter.
Step 2. Right-click on the file for which you want to create a downloadable link
A context menu will appear.
Step 3. Click Share
A pop-up window will appear.
Step 4. Click Get Shareable Link, a button located at the top right of the pop-up window
Step 5. Click Advanced at the bottom of the pop-up window
Step 6. Select an option from the drop-down menu
The default option is Anyone with the link can view, but you can also choose Can edit or Can comment.
To restrict usage to one or more users, select Inactive - Specific people and add the people who can access the file in the field People.
Step 7. Click Copy link
The shareable link will be copied to the clipboard. At this point you can send it to other users, but the file will be opened on the web and will not be downloaded to the recipient's computer.
Step 8. Open a word processor on your computer
you can use Note macOS, Notepad Windows, Microsoft Word or any other program that allows you to write.
Step 9. Paste the URL into the word processor
If you are using Windows, press Ctrl + V. If you have macOS, press ⌘ Command + V. The URL should have the following format:
- drive.google.com/open?id=ABCDE12345.
- The ID file consists of the string of letters and numbers found at the end of the URL (after "id =").
Step 10. Replace the URL with a downloadable link
A downloadable link should have the following format:
- drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=FILE_ID. In this example, the ID file is ABCDE12345.
- We must therefore delete drive.google.com/open?id= and replace it with drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=.
- The new URL will have the following format: drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=ABCDE12345.
Step 11. Share the new URL with other users
You can paste it in a message, share it on social networks or insert it in an email. Once the link has become downloadable, the recipient can immediately download the file without first having to open it on the web.
Method 2 of 2: Using the Mobile Application
Step 1. Open Google Drive on your Android, iPhone or iPad device
The icon is represented by a colored triangle and is usually found on the home screen or in the app drawer.
Step 2. Tap ⋯ on the file or folder you want to share
A list of options will appear.
Step 3. Swipe the "Share" button to activate it
On some versions of Drive this option is called "Sharing via link".
- By default, anyone with this link will be able to view the file. If you want to allow users with the file to edit or delete it in Google Drive, you can do the following:
- Touch ⋯ on the file;
- Tap the "i" in the circle at the top right of the menu;
- Touch Sharing via link enabled (the icon is represented by a white and green oval);
- Touch Can edit.
Step 4. Tap ⋯ on the file again
The menu will reappear.
Step 5. Tap Copy link
The link will be copied to the clipboard.
Step 6. Open the text editor of your mobile or tablet
You can use any application that allows you to write, such as Note on an iPhone or iPad, Samsung Notes or a message to send by e-mail.
Step 7. Paste the URL into the text editor
To do this, touch and hold the typing area, then touch Paste when the option appears. The URL should have the following format:
- drive.google.com/open?id=ABCDE12345.
- The string of letters and numbers at the end of the URL (after "id =") matches the ID file.
Step 8. Replace the URL with a downloadable link
A downloadable link should have the following format:
- drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=FILE_ID. In this example, the ID file would be ABCDE12345;
- Also in this example, we need to delete drive.google.com/open?id= and replace it with drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=.
- The new URL should have the following format: drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=ABCDE12345.
Step 9. Share the new URL with other users
You can paste it into a message, share it on social networks or add it to an email. Once the link has become downloadable, the recipient can immediately download the file without first having to open it on the web.
