Google Drive is a preferred cloud storage platform for many users because of its 15 GB of free storage space, seamless sharing, and cross-platform availability. Google offers a fairly feature-rich Drive app with home and lock screen widgets, Face ID protection, and more. If you use Google Drive to manage files, read on to learn how to save photos, videos and files from Google Drive to iPhone and iPad.
Unlike Google Drive for Android, you won’t see a “Download” option on iPhone. The feature is available in the Drive app, but it’s not easy and intuitive. You need to download images and documents and export them to the Photos or Files app. Here’s what you need to do.
Download photos from Google Drive to iPhone
You can always share photos from Google Drive with your friends and family. However, if you want to edit them using Photos app or any of the third-party photo editing apps, you need to download Google Drive images on your iPhone first.
Step 1: Open the Google Drive app on your iPhone.
Step 2: Find an image that you want to download.
Step 3: Next to it, tap on the three horizontal dots (kebab menu).
Step 4: Choose Send Copy.
Step 5: Tap “Save Image” to start the downloading process.
Step 6: After the downloading process is complete, open the Photos app and check your saved pictures in the Recent album.
Unfortunately, you cannot select multiple photos and download them at once. You need to save each picture individually on the iPhone. If you select multiple photos, Drive will show options such as Add to Starred, Make Available Offline (only in Google Drive), Move, and Remove.
Save videos from Google Drive to iPhone or iPad
You can also use Google Drive for iOS to download videos to iPhone or iPad. Let’s check it out in action.
Step 1: Launch Google Drive app on iPhone.
Step 2: Find a video that you want to download to your iPhone or iPad.
Step 3: Tap on the three horizontal dots menu next to it.
Step 4: Select “Send a copy”.
Step 5: Click “Save Video” and complete the downloading process. For large videos, be sure to keep the Drive app open.
Step 6 Open the Photos app and check the downloaded videos in the Recent album.
You can now edit the video and share it on social media platforms.
Download PDF files and documents from Google Drive to iPhone
You can also use Google Drive to store PDFs, documents, presentations, and spreadsheets. You can save the same to your iPhone with the following steps.
Step 1: Open Google Drive app on iPhone or iPad.
Step 2: Find a file that you want to save on your iPhone.
Step 3: Tap on the three horizontal dots menu next to it and select Open in from the context menu that opens.
Step 4: Google Drive will download the file to start the export process. Select “Save to files” in the following menu.
Step 5: Choose a desired location in the Files app. Rename the file, assign a tag if needed, and click Save.
However, the above trick has a downside. Google Drive exports documents, presentations, and spreadsheets in PDF format only. If you want to save the same in original format, check the following steps.
Step 1: Launch Google Drive app on iPhone and open a document, presentation or spreadsheet.
Step 2: Google will open the same in one of the Workspace apps.
Step 3: Tap on the three horizontal dots menu on the top right. Select Share & Export.
Step 4: Tap on “Send a copy”. Save it as a favorite format. Click OK.
Step 5: Choose “Save to Files”. Export it to a preferred location in the Files app.
Step 6: Open the Files app to check your exported document. Long-tap on the document and choose Get Info. You can check the original file extension in the info menu.
Copy Google Drive photos and videos using the Files app
If you log into your Google Drive account on your iPhone, the same thing will appear in the default Files app. How to use Files app to copy Google Drive photos and videos to iPhone.
Step 1: Open Files app on iPhone.
Step 2: Tap on the three horizontal dots menu in the top right corner and select Edit from the context menu. Turn on the switch next to Google Drive.
Step 3: Long press on a photo or video and select Save.
Step 4: Click Save Image. Open the Photos app and check your saved photos and videos.
Save Google Drive files on iPhone
Google has done a commendable job with the Drive app on the iPhone. Aside from a powerful native app, Google Drive has nice integration with the Files app on iPhone and iPad.
