This guide explains how to work around the Android app’s limitations to achieve the goal of downloading an entire folder from Google Drive using an Android device. Since the mobile app does not support direct folder downloads, we will cover the most effective methods for saving your files for offline use.
Before you start: You will need the Google Drive app installed on your Android device and the login credentials for your Google account. A stable internet connection is required for the download process.
The following methods provide two different workarounds to save the contents of a Google Drive folder to your device, as the official app only supports downloading individual files.
Method 1: Downloading all files inside the folder. This approach uses the multi-select feature within the Google Drive app to download all the files from a folder at once.
To start, open the Google Drive app on your Android device. Navigate to and open the folder you wish to download. Tap and hold on the first file you want to download until it is selected. At the top of the screen, tap the icon that looks like a square with a dotted outline to Select all files in the folder. Once all files are selected, tap the three-dot menu icon (More options) in the top-right corner. From the dropdown menu, select the Download option. The files will now download to your device’s internal storage, typically found in the Downloads folder.
Method 2: Using a desktop browser to download and transfer. This method involves using a computer to download the folder as a single compressed file, which you can then transfer to your Android device.
On a desktop or laptop computer, open a web browser and navigate to the Google Drive website. Log in with the same Google account you use on your Android device. Locate the folder you want to download. You do not need to open it. Right-click on the folder to open the context menu. Select the Download option. Google Drive will begin compressing the folder into a single .zip file. Once the download is complete, transfer the .zip file to your Android device using a USB cable or by uploading it to a cloud service and downloading it on your phone. You can then use a file manager app on your Android device to extract the contents of the .zip file.
Pro tip: If you only need temporary offline access and don’t need a separate copy of the files, you can mark the folder to be “Available offline.” Tap the three-dot menu next to the folder and toggle on the “Available offline” switch.
Having local copies of your cloud files ensures you can access important documents, photos, or project materials regardless of your internet connection. This is invaluable when traveling, working in an area with poor connectivity, or if you need to share files with someone directly from your device without relying on the cloud.
Furthermore, downloading your files serves as a simple form of backup. By storing a copy of a folder on your Android device, you create a safeguard against accidental deletion or modification of the original files in Google Drive, giving you an extra layer of data security and peace of mind.
