This wikiHow teaches you how to create a direct download URL for a file from Google Drive. By creating a download URL, you can send a link that allows recipients to directly download the file, instead of just viewing it in a web viewer.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Via Computer
Step 1. Visit https://drive.google.com via a web browser
If you are not logged into your Google account, click “ Go to Google Drive ” to enter first.
Step 2. Right-click the file for which you need to create a download link
The context menu will be displayed.
Step 3. Click Share
A pop-up window will be displayed.
Step 4. Click Get shareable link
It's in the upper-right corner of the pop-up window.
Step 5. Click Advanced
It's at the bottom of the pop-up window.
Step 6. Select an option from the drop-down menu
The default option that is automatically selected is “ Anyone with Link Can View, but you can change it to “ Can Edit " or " Can Comment ”.
So that only certain users can use the file, select “ OFF ”, then add the people who are allowed to access the file in the People column.
Step 7. Click Copy link
The shareable link will be copied to the computer clipboard. At this point, you can provide the link to other people, but when the link is opened, the file will only be displayed in a web viewer, and not downloaded directly to the recipient's computer.
Step 8. Open a text editing program on the computer
You can use the app Notes on MacOS, Notepad on Windows, Microsoft Word, or any other application that allows typing.
Step 9. Paste the copied URL into a text editing program
If you are using a Windows computer, press Ctrl+V. If you are using a MacOS computer, press Command+V. The URL will look like this:
- drive.google.com/open?id=ABCDE12345
- The string of letters and numbers at the end of the URL (after id=″) is the file ID.
Step 10. Replace URL with direct download link
The link looks like this:
- drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=FILE_ID. In the previous example, ABCDE12345 is the file ID.
- In your example, you need to delete drive.google.com/open?id= and replace it with drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=.
- The new link should look like this: drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=ABCDE12345
Step 11. Share the new URL with others
You can paste it into a message, share it on social media, or add it to an email. After changing the review link to a direct download link, anyone who clicks on the link will instantly download the file, without having to open and view it in a web viewer first.
Method 2 of 2: Using Google Drive Mobile App
Step 1. Open Google Drive on your Android, iPhone, or iPad device
This application is marked by a green, yellow, and blue triangular icon which is usually displayed on the home screen or page/app drawer.
Step 2. Touch on the file or folder you want to share
A list of options will be displayed after that.
Step 3. Slide the Link Sharing switch to the “On” or active position
This option may be labeled Share Link on some versions of Google Drive.
- By default, anyone with the link can view the file. If you want people with the link to be able to edit or delete the file in Google Drive, follow these steps:
- Touch " ⋯ ” on the file.
- Select the i″ button in the circle, in the top right corner of the menu.
- Touch " Link sharing is ON ” (green circle with white link inside).
- Touch " Can edit ”.
Step 4. Touch back on the file
The menu will be displayed again.
Step 5. Touch Copy link
The link is now copied to the device's clipboard.
Step 6. Open a text editing program on your phone or tablet
You can use any link that you can type on, such as an app Notes built-in iPhone/iPad, Samsung Notes, or even an email message field.
Step 7. Paste the copied URL into a text editing program
Touch and hold the typing field, then select “ Paste ” when displayed. The URL will look like this:
- drive.google.com/open?id=ABCDE12345
- The string of letters and numbers at the end of the URL (after id=″) is the file ID.
Step 8. Replace URL with direct download link
The link looks like this:
- drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=FILE_ID. In the previous example, ABCDE12345 is the file ID.
- In your example, you need to remove the drive.google.com/open?id= segment and replace it with drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=.
- Your new URL should look like this: drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=ABCDE12345
Step 9. Share the new URL with others
You can paste it into a message, share it on social media, or add it to an email. After changing the review link to a direct download link, anyone who clicks on the link will instantly download the file, without having to open and view it in a web viewer first.
