Add & Remove Google Drive in iPhone Files App

Updated 6 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

You can add Google Drive to the iPhone Files app so your Drive files appear alongside your iCloud Drive and other locations, and you can remove it just as easily when you no longer want it there. The connection is managed through the iOS Files app itself, not through the Google Drive app, so the steps are slightly different from what you might expect. Here is exactly how to do both, plus what happens to your files when you remove the connection.

Why Connect Google Drive to the Files App?

Before iOS 11, Google Drive was a separate silo: you opened the Google Drive app to see your Drive files. The Files app changed that by acting as a central hub for all your cloud storage providers. When you add Google Drive to Files, you can:

Browse and open Drive files without switching apps.
Use the Files app search to find Drive documents.
Move or copy files between Drive and iCloud Drive, Dropbox, or other connected services.
Attach Drive files to emails or messages directly from the share sheet.

This is especially useful if you work across both Apple and Google ecosystems. For example, you might keep personal photos in iCloud Drive but work documents in Google Drive. Having both in Files means one place to look, one search bar, and one drag-and-drop interface.

How to Add Google Drive to the Files App

Adding Google Drive is done entirely within the Files app. You do not need to download the Google Drive app first, though having it installed can help with certain features like offline access and file sharing. Here are the steps:

Open the Files app on your iPhone (the blue folder icon).
Tap Browse at the bottom right if you are not already there.
Look at the Locations list. Tap the … (ellipsis) icon in the top right corner.
Select Edit from the menu that appears.
You will see a list of available locations. Toggle Google Drive to the on position (green).
Tap Done in the top right corner.
The Files app will now ask you to sign in to your Google account. Follow the on-screen prompts to allow access.

After signing in, Google Drive appears as a location in the Browse sidebar. Tap it to see all your Drive folders and files. You can also pin it to the Favorites section for quicker access: while in Browse, tap Edit again and drag Google Drive into the Favorites area.

How to Remove Google Drive from the Files App

Removing Google Drive from Files is just as straightforward, but note that it does not delete any of your Drive files. It only disconnects the Files app from your Google account. Your files remain safe in Google Drive and can still be accessed via the Google Drive app or website. To remove:

Open the Files app.
Go to Browse.
Tap the … icon in the top right.
Select Edit.
Toggle Google Drive to the off position (gray).
Tap Done.

That is it. Google Drive disappears from the Locations list immediately. If you later change your mind, you can re-add it by following the same steps and signing in again.

What Happens to Your Files When You Remove Drive?

Nothing happens to the actual files. They stay in your Google Drive account, untouched. What disappears is the convenient access from the Files app. Any shortcuts you created to Drive files will stop working because the underlying connection is gone. If you had downloaded files for offline use through the Files app, those local copies are removed when you disconnect—but the originals in Drive remain. This is a common misconception: people worry that removing the location will delete their Drive data. It will not. The Files app is only a window into Drive, not a storage location itself.

Common Problems and Fixes

Sometimes adding or removing Google Drive does not go smoothly. Here are the most frequent issues and how to resolve them.

Google Drive does not appear in the Edit list. This usually means your iOS version is too old. Files app location support requires iOS 11 or later. Check your software version under Settings > General > Software Update.
Sign-in fails or loops back. Make sure you have a stable internet connection. If you have two-factor authentication enabled, have your verification method ready. Also, check that you are not already signed into a different Google account in Safari, as the sign-in uses a web view.
Files show but won’t open. This often happens with large files or files that need a specific app. Tap the file and choose “Open in� to select the appropriate app. For Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides files, you need the corresponding Google app installed or you can open them in a browser.
Changes don’t sync. If you edit a file in Drive on your computer, it may take a moment to appear in Files. Pull down to refresh the folder view. If it still doesn’t update, close and reopen the Files app.

Google Drive vs. iCloud Drive in Files

It is worth understanding how Google Drive differs from iCloud Drive within the Files app. iCloud Drive is built into iOS, so it is always present and deeply integrated. Google Drive is a third-party location, so it relies on the same file provider framework that Dropbox, OneDrive, and Box use. This means:

iCloud Drive files are often available offline by default (if you have “Download and Keep� enabled). Google Drive files are streamed on demand unless you explicitly download them.
Search in Files covers both locations, but Google Drive search respects your Drive permissions and sharing settings.
You cannot move a file from Google Drive to iCloud Drive by dragging it in the same folder view; you have to copy or move it between locations, which works fine but is a two-step process.

Both services offer similar storage tiers, but the free allowances differ. iCloud gives you 5 GB free; Google Drive gives you 15 GB shared across Gmail and Google Photos. The choice depends on where your documents already live and which ecosystem you prefer.

Alternatives to Using the Files App

If you find the Files app integration too limited, you have alternatives. The Google Drive app itself offers a richer experience: you can share files, add comments, and manage sharing permissions—features not available in Files. You can also use the Google Drive web interface in Safari for full control. Another option is to use a third-party file manager that supports multiple cloud services, but the Files app is free and built-in, so it is usually the best starting point. For most people, the Files app is perfect for quick access and cross-service file moves, while the Drive app is better for collaboration and file management.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does removing Google Drive from Files delete my Google account?

No. Removing the location only disconnects the Files app from your Google account. Your Google account, email, and Drive files remain completely intact. You can sign back in at any time.

Can I add multiple Google accounts to Files?

No. The Files app only supports one Google Drive account at a time. If you sign in with a different account, it replaces the previous one. To switch accounts, you must remove Google Drive and re-add it with the other account.

Why can’t I see Google Drive in the Edit menu?

Make sure you are running iOS 11 or later. Also, check that you have not already added it. If it is already on, it will not appear in the list of available locations. Toggle it off and on again if you need to re-authenticate.

Can I move files from Google Drive to iCloud Drive in Files?

Yes. You can copy or move files between any connected locations. Tap and hold a file, choose “Copy� or “Move,� then navigate to the destination folder in iCloud Drive. The move downloads the file to your device and uploads it to the new location, so it may take a moment for large files.

Will my offline files in Files be deleted when I remove Google Drive?

Yes, any files you downloaded for offline access through the Files app will be removed from your device when you disconnect. The originals remain in Google Drive. To keep offline access, use the Google Drive app’s “Available offline� feature instead.

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