How to apply Google Drive on iPhone, iPad

Most iOS Files users rely on a range of different storage services, not but iCloud.

Apple, iOS, Files, iPhone, iPad, Google, Google Drive
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Apple tree's Files app is a fantastic solution for Apple tree users who need flexibility when it comes to the cloud storage services they use, as it supports iCloud, Dropbox, Box and Google Drive.

Why is Google Drive useful?

The promise of cloud storage systems is that it becomes easier to movement betwixt  different platforms efficiently. You might want to admission files using your parent's older Windows PC, even while using a MacBook Pro at domicile, a Chrome tablet when yous travel and an iPhone the residue of the fourth dimension.

Fortunately, it is condign easier to access all of these systems – you might employ iCloud with Windows, and can likewise plough to Google Bulldoze with Windows, Mac and iOS systems, too every bit Android devices such as that Chrome tablet.

While managing files beyond all these disparate platforms may sometimes exist a little more complex, it makes it possible to stay productive in a platform-agnostic style.

How to employ Google Drive on iPhone, iPad

At a very bones level, using Google Drive on iOS devices is simple: Download and install the app, login with your Google ID and you can brainstorm to store items from your device to your Google Bulldoze, which offers 15GB of free space.

The Files app makes this fifty-fifty simpler since, once you have downloaded Google'south app and logged into it, Google Drive volition be made available as 1 of your Locations within the app. This makes accessing documents and other data y'all take stored in Google Drive as easy every bit finding anything else in Files. You do still demand to open up upwardly the Google Bulldoze app to access some of the service'south more sophisticated features, though.

Y'all can also drag-and-drop content between the different storage services you may have enabled on your device, though you must expect for content to exist downloaded to your iPhone first.

Changes made to any file in Google Drive on whatsoever of your computers or mobile devices will be updated across all your devices, of form.

A note nearly Google apps

If yous use Google'southward apps – Docs, Sheets, or Slides – and the apps are installed on your device, tapping on any Google certificate, spreadsheet or presentation in the Files app will open the app of the associated Google editor.

If y'all don't take these apps installed, they should open in a uniform app that you do take on your device – so long as the document format works. Here'due south a pick of tips to help you get more than from using Google Docs on iOS devices.

Supplementing iCloud

Apple'due south biggest weakness is the miserly amount of free storage it provides to iOS users; they get only 5GB of space in which to store their digital identity.

While about iOS users will spend a piddling money to increase the quantity of storage available, many choose to employ alternative online storage services to supplement the free infinite they get.

With 15GB of storage, Google Drive can be a good way to shop video and images captured on your device. You tin cull to store every paradigm, or just manually shop those that you most desire to keep safe.

How to store Photos images manually

Bold yous have installed Google Drive and are logged into your account:

  • Open the app and then tap the Plus (+) icon to create a new binder in which to store your images.
  • You then tap the blueish-&-white (+) button and select upload. Yous'll exist asked to cull which file type you want to upload.
  • Select Photos and Videos and you lot volition be able to select images and videos from your Photos app to upload to Google Drive.
  • (You volition demand to give the Drive app permission to access your images.)
  • Once you have selected your images tap the Upload push to store them to your Drive.

How to store Photos images automatically

If yous want to store everything all the time, so you lot'll need to install the Google Photos app. This lets you shop an unlimited number of 16MP photos and 1,080HD videos for gratuitous – or upgrade to a subscription-based program to fill-in images in their original image quality.

One time you've installed Google Photos and signed into your business relationship, tap the Menu icon in the app and cull Settings>Dorsum up & sync, which yous should switch to On. Yous may need to give the app permission to access your Photos.

NB: It is also possible to dorsum images upward to your Google Drive. Open that app, and so enable Auto Backup in Settings>Backup.

You can also cull to backup contacts and agenda events hither, though this may non be appropriate if yous rely on Apple'south services for these tasks.

How to apply Google Bulldoze to share huge files

You can transport files up to 15GB to others with Google Drive, though y'all'll need to upload the files to your Bulldoze first (and probably pay extra for storage if you lot striking the 15GB maximum free tier).

  • Create a new binder using the New push button.
  • Place the big particular you want to share in in that location.
  • Select the folder in the MyDrive section and tap the Share detail to enter the name and address of the person you want to share that item with.

There are more than hints for Google Drive collaboration here.

How to utilize items stored in Google Drive

While the Files app is fine for accessing your information, yous do become more features when you lot use the Google Drive app.

For example, when navigating files stored in Google Bulldoze, if you printing the triple dot icon to the correct of the file name you can admission tools to transport and brand copies, motion files, rename and remove them and (I think most useful) an Available Offline item. This (at the risk of seeming obvious) yous should use if you programme working with some files when you are offline.

At the top left of the Google Drive app y'all'll see a box comprised of three straight lines. Tap this and you'll be able to share folders, search for recent items and a range of other options.

Let me know virtually your best Google Bulldoze on iOS tips.

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Jonny is a freelance writer who has been writing (mainly about Apple and technology) since 1999.

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