Google Drive is a synchronization and file storage service established by Google. It allows users to store and share files on their servers and synchronize files across devices. Here are the easy ways to make Google Drive private:

  1. Make Google Drive Private by Checking the Drive Settings

Like Gmail, Google Drive – https://www.google.com/drive/download/ can also be customized according to user preferences and needs. You can check the settings and change it to private from the public by the following the below-mentioned steps:

  • Go to Google Drive through your Gmail ID.

  • Choose the empty box next to the folder or file you want to check.

  • Click the Google Drive share icon. A window will appear where you can find share settings.
  • Under who has access, you can find various options such as IEEE, public on the web, private, anyone with a link or people at IEEE with a link. You have to choose private.
  • If a file or folder is private, then no one can access the file or folder except you.
  • You can change the privacy settings for each file or folder depending on the contents of the file or folder.
  • If the content is personal, you can make it private. Otherwise, you can make it public or choose other options accordingly.

  1. Make Google Drive Private Through Web Browser 

If you want to deny access to any file or folder in your Google Drive, you can do that by making it private. Follow the step by step guidelines on how to make Google Drive private.

  • Visit the official Google Drive site and Sign-In to Google Drive with your credentials. Make sure to Log-In to the account that has a file you want to share.
  • You can see various files on your drive. You have to right-click on the file you want to share. Scroll down to share option, it will open share settings.
  • Another way to navigate to share settings is that you can open the file or folder and click the share button.
  • Under who has access, you have many choices. Among that, choose private to deny access to other members.
  • Choosing private will make the file or folder completely private and anyone cannot find it by entering the link or searching the file or its link.
  • You can also choose other options depending on the access you want to provide.
  • If need be, set access rights for your public files. In the access drop-down list, you can set editing permissions to people who view your file. You have to choose can edit from the menu.
  • If you want your viewers to the only comment not edit, choose can comment from the menu.
  • Click save to save the changes.

  1. Make Google Drive Private Using App

You can use your mobile phone to make your Google Drive private. All you have to do is to download the Google Drive app on your mobile and follow the below-mentioned steps.

  • You can view your files in the list option.
  • Each file has an information button. Tap the information button on the file you want to share. It will open the details of the file.
  • Choose private under who has access option.
  • For private files and folder, you do not have to set access rights, as you are only going to access your files, so you can do whatever you want with your files.
  • Click save to save the changes done.

TIPS

Check the privacy settings of your Google Drive app to understand whether it is private or public. You can change it to what you want.

Can anyone see my Google Drive?

The files and folders in your Google Drive are private by default until you decide to share them. You can share your documents with specific people or you can make them public and anyone on the Internet can view the shared files.

How do I know if my Google Drive is private?

How to Check Who Has Access to a Google Drive File. To check the list of people who can see your file, right-click the file in question and click Share. A window will appear showing you all the people who have access to your file. If you haven’t shared it with anyone, you’ll only see yourself on the list.

How do I change privacy settings on Google Drive?

Learn how to change privacy settings:
  1. Right click the relevant folder in Google Drive.
  2. Select Share.
  3. Click Advanced.
  4. Click Change.
  5. Select one of the following options: On – Public on the web: Select this setting to display a file on your site in the Google Drive app.
  6. Click Save.
  7. Click Done.

Can you hide Google Drive files?

Go to drive.google.com and upload the file that you wish to hide from other users. After the file is uploaded, right-click the file in Drive and choose Manage Versions. Choose Upload New Version and upload another file – say an unsuspecting photograph of a building.

How do I hide activity on Google Drive?

On the Activity Dashboard, go to Privacy settings. Here you will find the options to turn off your view history for the current document or for all Docs, Sheets and Slides. Once you’ve turned off your view history, the date of your last view will be hidden from the Viewers tab.

Can you hide photos in Google Drive?

In order to hide your private photos, you can use the Archive feature of Google Photos. Once the menu is open, you will see an Archive option there. Once you have archived a photo or video it will then disappear from the mail album. Don’t worry the photo will not get deleted it will just hide.