How to Remove Shared Files From Google Drive

Google Drive is one of the best digital tools you can use to collaborate on documents saved to the cloud. You can work with others to accomplish a common goal using this software.

There may be times when you no longer need the documents done in collaboration. To learn how to remove shared files from Google Drive, continue reading below.

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Share an Entire Google Drive

Google Drive allows you to share your entire cloud storage. Select all the folders and files, and press the “Share” icon to begin.

After you press “Share, you will need to enter the appropriate contact information for the other user. You can learn how to access a shared Google Drive by looking for the files under the section labeled “My Drive.”

How to Share Files in Google Drive

Before you can learn how to remove shared files from Google Drive, you need to understand how to share documents. The steps vary, depending on whether you use the mobile app or the Google Drive website.

Sharing Files and Folders via the Google Drive Android App

There are specific steps required on an Android for sharing either folders or files. Learn more in the information below.

Sharing Folders on the Android App

To share Google Drive folders via the Google Drive mobile app on an Android device, use the steps below.

Download the Google Drive app from the Google Play Store.
Log in to your Google account.
Find the appropriate folder, and tap on the three vertical dots next to its name.
Press “Share.”
Type in the appropriate contact information for the recipients.
Press the downward-facing arrow to change the access levels for your folder.
Tap “Send.”

Sharing Files on the Android App

You can also share specific files on the Google Drive app on Android devices. Use the steps below to begin.

Download the Google Drive app on your Android device. You can also follow the same steps in the Docs, Sheets, or Slides apps.
Find the appropriate file, and press the three vertical dots next to it.
Tap “Share.”
Look for the section labeled “Share with People.”
Enter the appropriate email addresses.
Press the down arrow to change file permissions.
Tap “Done.”

You can also share a file by using the “Get Link” option after pressing “Share.”

Sharing Files and Folders Using the Google Drive App on an iPhone

You can also share files and folders via the Google Drive app that is available through the Apple App Store. Use the methods provided below.

Share Folders on the iPhone Google Drive App

To share entire folders using the Google Drive app on an iPhone, use the steps below.

Download the Google Drive app from the Apple App Store.
Press “More” next to the name of the folder.
Tap “Add People.”
Enter the appropriate email addresses.
Press the down arrow to change access permissions.
Tap “Send.”

Share Files on the iPhone Google Drive App

To share files using Apple’s version of the Google Drive app, use the below steps.

Download Google Drive from the Apple App Store and log in to your account.
Find the file and press “More.”
Tap “Share,” and scroll down to the “Share with People” section.
Enter the contact details for the recipients of the file.
Tap “Done.”

Share Files and Folders Using Your Computer

Finally, you can learn how to share files and folders using your computer, as seen below.

Share Folders

To share folders on your computer, consider the steps below.

Open your browser and type in drive.google.com.
Log in to your account.
Find the folder you need to share.
Click “Share,” and scroll down to the “People” section.
Enter the email addresses you need for sharing purposes.
Click the dropdown menu to change access abilities.
Press “Send.”

Share Files

Finally, to share files on Google Drive on the browser, you will use the steps below.

Open your browser and type in drive.google.com.
Click on the document you want to share.
Press “Share,” and go down to “Share with People and Groups.”
Enter the contact details you need to provide.
Click on the dropdown menu to change permissions.
Press “Share.”

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Share Google Drive Files with the Public

Google Drive lets you share files and folders with the general public. When you select the appropriate document, you will press “Share.”

Go to the “Advanced” settings and press “Change.” Next to the “Public on the Web” option, toggle the switch to the on position. Tap “Save” to finalize the process.

Accessing Shared Google Drive Files and Folders

You can also learn how to find information from Google Drive shared with me or you. If the sender turned notifications on, you will receive an email. Otherwise, you can use the methods below.

Access Shared Information in the Mobile App

You may want to know how to find Google Docs shared with me or any other file or folder type in your Google Drive account. Learn to access these items in the mobile app, whether you use an iPhone or Android, using the steps below.

Download the Google Drive app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Log in to your account.
Click on the “Shared” tab at the bottom of the screen.
When the page loads, you should see all files and folders that others shared with you.

Create a Shortcut

If you want to access these shared documents and folders even faster, you can make a shortcut. Learn how by reading the information below.

Open your Google Drive account and go to the “Shared” tab.
Choose the folders or files that you want to include in your shortcut.
Tap on the “More” button.
Press “Add Shortcut to Drive.”
Select the appropriate location.
Tap the word “Add.”

Finding Shared Files and Folders on the Google Drive Website

If you want to learn how to find shared folders on Google Drive, the process is just as simple. Consider the steps below to begin.

On your browser of choice, type in drive.google.com.
Log in to your account.
Look for the menu on the left side of the screen and press “Shared with Me.”

Add a Shortcut

Google Drive lets you make shortcuts on a browser as well. Start with the information below.

Go to drive.google.com and log in to your account.
Click on the “Shared with Me” tab on the left side of the screen.
Select any files or folders you want to include in your shortcut.
Right-click on your selections and press “Add Shortcut to Drive.”
Choose an appropriate folder location.
Click “Add Shortcut.”

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Access Levels on Google Drive

There are several access levels you can choose when sharing files on Google Drive. The “Is Owner” option is the most extensive as you can delete, invite others, or edit the documents.

The “Can View” option is the most limited as you cannot make any changes. “Can Edit” allows others to create adjustments, and “Can Comment” lets you collaborate with others.

Deleting Files and Folders You Share with Others

There are several steps involved when you want to learn how to remove shared files from Google Drive, especially when you created them. The methods do slightly change for computer or mobile app use.

Deleting Files on the Website

To learn how to delete shared files from Google drive that you created on the Google Drive website, there are a few processes involved. First, you must remove the user from the document, as seen below.

1. Go to drive.google.com and log in to your account.

2. Find the shared file or folder.
3. Right-click on the document.

4. Click on “Share.”

5. Look for the list of people that have access to the file or folder.
6. Click on the word “Viewer” or “Editor.”
7. Press “Remove Acess.”

After removing the user from your document, you can delete it from your account. Use the steps below to start.

1. Right-click on the file in your account again.
2. Press “Remove.”

3. Visit the tab labeled “Trash.”
4. Permanently empty your trash folder.

Deleting Files on the Mobile App

You must also start by removing a user from a file or folder in the Google Drive app. the steps below will show you how to complete this process.

1. Download the Google Drive app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
2. Open the mobile application and log in.

3. Select the appropriate file or folder.
4. Tap on the word “Share.”

5. Scroll down to see the list of people with access to the document or folder.
6. Tap on the downward-facing arrow next to the names.
7. Press “Remove” for each person.

After you remove users, you can delete your documents using the steps below.

Go to the “Files” tab in the Google Drive app.
Press “More” next to the file or folder you want to remove.
Tap “Remove.”
Tap on the menu icon and go to “Trash.”
Find the file you just deleted and tap “More.”
Press “Delete Forever.”

Deleting Files and Folders Shared with You

You must learn how to remove shared files from Google Drive, especially if they come from other people. There will likely come a time when you no longer need these documents that take up your storage space. Learn how to delete shared files from Google Drive using the provided methods.

Deleting Files Shared with You from the Mobile App

The process for learning how to delete shared files from Google Drive is the same on the Android and iPhone Google Drive app. Use the steps below to start erasing.

1. Download the Google Drive app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
2. Open the app and log in to your account.
3. Click on the “Shared” tab at the bottom of the screen.

4. Find the file or folder you want to remove.
5. Tap on the three vertical dots that mean “More.”
6. Press “Remove.”

Delete Files that Others Shared with You on the Google Drive Website

To delete files that others shared with you on the Google Drive website, follow the steps below.

1. On a browser of your choice, type in drive.google.com.

2. Log in to your account and click on “Shared with Me” on the left.

3. Right-click on any file you want to remove.
4. Press “Remove.”

Special Circumstances

Any file that others shared with you that you removed from your account may appear when you search for it. If you re-open the document, it will reappear in the “Shared with Me” section.

Delete Shared Files in Bulk

If you want to delete shared files in bulk on Google Drive, you only select multiple files. Press down on the shift key on a desktop computer, or use your finger to highlight several documents on the mobile app.

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Share Google Drive Files via Gmail

When you compose a new message in Gmail, you can automatically share Google Drive files. Press the Google Drive icon at the bottom of your email.

After you press the Google Drive option, you will select the file you want to share. Turn on the appropriate access levels and send your message!

Start Removing Shared Files on Google Drive

You can easily learn how to remove shared files from Google Drive. All you have to do is remove the users attached to the document. After, delete the file as you do for any other item in your cloud storage.