In this article, we'll show you how to download a folder from Google Drive to your Android mobile device. The Google Drive app doesn't have a feature that lets you download an entire folder, so you'll have to highlight the individual files within the folder and mark them as available offline (that is, no internet). To be able to move files and use them in applications other than Google Drive, download the folder as an archive (zip) file by going to Google Drive in your web browser.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: How to enable offline file access
Step 1. Launch the Google Drive app on your Android device
Click on the green-blue-yellow triangle with the word "Disk"; this icon is in the app drawer. You won't be able to download a folder in the Google Drive app, but you can select all the files within the folder to download them to your device.
- Use this method if you want your files to sync with files stored in Google Drive.
- Files you make available offline must be opened in the Google Drive app. For example, if you turn on offline access for a photo, you need to open it in the Google Drive app, not in the Gallery app.
Step 2. Tap the folder you want to access offline
The files in that folder will be displayed.
Step 3. Press and hold one file
Remove your finger from the screen when a check mark appears to the left of the file name - this means that the file is selected.
Step 4. Tap other files you want to download
Check marks will also appear next to their names. To download all files in a folder at once, tap each one.
Step 5. Tap the ⋮ symbol
It's in the upper right corner of the screen.
Step 6. Click Offline Access in the menu
From now on, the selected files will be synced to the Android device. To see a list of all files available offline, tap ☰ in the upper-left corner of Google Drive, and then tap Offline.
Method 2 of 2: How to download a folder as an archive (ZIP file)
Step 1. Go to https://drive.google.com in your web browser
Since you won't be able to download the folder in the Google Drive mobile app, open Drive in a web browser (just like on a computer). If you are not already signed in to your Google account, follow the onscreen instructions.
- Use this method if you want to keep the folder on your Android device in its current state. Remember that any changes you make to files on your device won't show up on files left in Google Drive.
- The folder will download as a ZIP file that you need to unzip. You can do this in the Files app - its icon looks like a blue-and-white folder in the app drawer. If you do not have this application, install it through the Play Store by entering a search query files from google.
Step 2. Go to the full (computer) version of the site
In the Chrome browser, which is preinstalled on most Android devices, tap the "⋮" symbol in the upper right corner and select "Full version" from the menu. This will refresh the page and display it as if it were on a computer. In another browser, follow the same steps.
Step 3. Tap the folder you want to download
The folder information is displayed in the upper right corner of the page.
Step 4. Tap the ⋮ symbol
You will find it above the folder name in the upper right corner of the screen. A menu will open.
Step 5. Click Download in the menu
Google Drive will compress the folder into an archive (ZIP file). When the file is ready, a download window will appear.
Step 6. Tap the file to start the download process
Depending on your settings, you may have to click “Save”. When the download process is complete, the ZIP file will appear in the Downloads folder.
Step 7. Launch the Files application
Click the blue and white folder-shaped icon in the app drawer.
Step 8. Tap the Downloads folder
If you don't see it, first click Browse> My Files.
Step 9. Click on the ZIP file to open it
It will have the same name as the downloaded folder and have a ".zip" extension.
Step 10. Tap Checkout
The folder will be extracted from the ZIP file and will appear in the Downloads folder. Click on the folder name to access its files.