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How to Download Google Drive Documents to Your Personal Device

How to Download Google Drive Documents to Your Personal Device

Liz Myers avatar
Written by Liz Myers
Updated over 2 months ago

Instant Nonprofit uploads your important documents via Google Drive. If you need to download them to your personal device, follow these simple steps. This guide will walk you through downloading files from Google Drive to your computer or mobile device.

Downloading Files from Google Drive on a Computer

  1. Open Google Drive: Go to your personal Google Drive Folder and sign in to your account if prompted.

  2. Locate Your File: Navigate to the document or file you want to download.

  3. Right-Click on the File:

    • If using a mouse, right-click on the file.

    • If using a trackpad or Mac, press Control (⌃) + Click on the file.

  4. Select ‘Download’: A download will automatically start, saving the file to your computer’s default download folder.

  5. Find the Downloaded File: Check your Downloads folder or the location set for downloads in your browser settings.

Downloading Multiple Files or Folders

  • To download multiple files, hold down the Ctrl (Windows) or Cmd (Mac) key while selecting files, then right-click and choose Download.

  • If downloading a folder, Google Drive will automatically compress it into a .zip file, which you’ll need to extract after downloading.

Downloading Files from Google Drive on a Mobile Device

For Android and iOS

  1. Open the Google Drive App.

  2. Locate the File you want to download.

  3. Tap on the Three-Dot Menu (⋮) next to the file.

  4. Select ‘Download’: The file will save to your device’s storage, typically in the Downloads or Files app.

Additional Tips

  • If you don’t see the ‘Download’ option, ensure you have permission to download the file. If the file is shared with “View Only” access, ask the file owner (us) to grant you download permission.

  • If you're downloading large files, ensure you have enough storage space available.

  • For step-by-step visual guidance, watch our tutorial video here:

By following these steps, you can easily access and store important documents from Google Drive onto your personal device.

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