How to Prevent Downloading on Google Drive on iPhone or iPad

Last Updated: May 25, 2021 Tested

This wikiHow teaches you how to disable downloading, printing, and copying on Google Drive files using the Google Drive website on an iPhone or iPad. The Google Drive app doesn't give you the option to disable downloading when you share files, however, you can use the Google Drive website on Safari in desktop mode to disable the downloading of shared files.

Steps

1
Open Safari and go to https://drive.google.com. It's the blue icon that looks like a compass, usually located in the dock at the bottom of your home screen. Then tap the top address bar and type in https://drive.google.com and press Go on the keyboard.
2
Tap
. It's the share icon that resembles an arrow pointing upwards out of a box.
- If you don't see the share icon, make sure you are at the top of the Google Drive homepage.
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3
Tap Request Desktop Site. It's the icon that looks like a computer monitor.
- You may have to swipe left on the bottom row of options in the share menu to see the "Request Desktop Site" option.
4
Tap Go to Google Drive and log in. It's the blue button on the page. Enter the email address and password associated with your Google account.
5
Tap the file. The file will be highlighted in blue when selected.
- You can pinch to zoom in when in desktop mode to see the options more clearly.
6
Tap the "Link Sharing" icon. It's the icon that resembles a chain link at the top of the page. This opens a small pop-up window.
7
Tap Sharing settings. It's at the bottom of the pop-up window.
8
Tap Advanced. It's in the bottom-right of the pop-up window.
9
Tap the checkbox for "Disable options to download, print, and copy for commenters and viewers". It's the last option at the bottom of the window. A checkmark will appear when the option is enabled.
10
Tap Save changes. It's the blue button at the bottom-left of the pop-up window.
11
Tap Done. This prevents shared users from downloading and copying your file while still giving them access to view it.

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