Download Google Drive Files: Desktop, iPhone and Android Guide
Downloading Google Drive files is simple on desktop, iPhone and Android using the native Drive app or Google Drive for Desktop. For bulk email downloads from Gmail to free up storage, the Turgs Gmail Backup Wizard pulls your entire inbox to your PC in PST, EML or MBOX format without size limits.
Google Drive stores your files in the cloud. Sometimes you need them on your device.
Whether you are going offline, switching accounts or just want a local backup, this guide covers every way to download Google Drive files on desktop, iPhone and Android, plus how to download Gmail emails in bulk if that is what you are really after.
How to Download Google Drive Files on Desktop (Windows and Mac)
There are two approaches: download individual files from the browser, or install Google Drive for Desktop to sync files automatically.
Method A: Download from the Browser
- Open drive.google.com in your browser and sign in.
- Right-click the file or folder you want to download.
- Select Download.
To download multiple files at once, hold Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac) while clicking each file, then right-click and select Download. Google compresses multiple files into a ZIP before downloading.
Method B: Google Drive for Desktop
Google Drive for Desktop syncs your Drive files to a local folder on your PC or Mac. Files appear as if they are stored locally but only download fully when you open them.
- Download Google Drive for Desktop from Google’s official site.
- Install and sign in with your Google account.
- Open Google Drive from the system tray or Finder and select the folders you want to mirror locally.
- Right-click any file or folder and choose Download to save a permanent offline copy.
How to Download Google Drive Files on iPhone
The Google Drive app for iOS lets you download files directly to your iPhone.
- Open the Google Drive app on your iPhone.
- Find the file you want to download and tap the three-dot menu next to it.
- Tap Open in and select an app to open it, or tap Save to Files to save it locally.
For photos and videos specifically:
- Tap and hold the file in Google Drive.
- Tap Send a copy.
- Tap Save Image or Save Video to add it to your Photos app.
How to Download Google Drive Files on Android
- Open the Google Drive app on your Android device.
- Navigate to the file you want and tap the three-dot menu next to it.
- Tap Download. The file saves to your device’s Downloads folder.
To open the file in a specific app instead of downloading it, tap Open with and choose your app.
How to Download an Entire Google Drive Folder Without Zipping
By default, Google Drive compresses folders into a ZIP when you download them from the browser. The only way to avoid this is to use Google Drive for Desktop:
- Install Google Drive for Desktop (see Method B above).
- Click the Drive icon in your system tray and go to Preferences.
- Under My Drive syncing options, select Mirror files.
- The selected folders sync to a local Google Drive folder on your PC or Mac in their original, uncompressed format.
This is the only official way to get a full folder from Google Drive without a ZIP file.
How to Download Gmail Emails in Bulk from Google Drive Storage
If you are looking to download emails from Gmail (not just documents) to free up Google storage or create a local backup, the Turgs Gmail Backup Wizard is the fastest option.
It connects to your Gmail account over IMAP and exports every email to PST, EML, MBOX or PDF on your PC. No size limit. The free trial exports 25 emails per folder to confirm the output before you purchase.
If you also want to migrate Gmail emails to another account rather than downloading them, the guide on migrating Gmail to Office 365 walks through that process. And if you are backing up emails from a different provider, see the guide on transferring emails to Gmail.
Are you downloading files for offline access, or looking to free up your Google storage limit?
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Google Drive download as a ZIP file?
When you download a folder or multiple files from drive.google.com, Google compresses them into a ZIP to send all the files in a single transfer. Use Google Drive for Desktop with Mirror mode to avoid ZIP compression.
Where do Google Drive downloads go on Windows?
Downloaded files go to your default Downloads folder, typically at C:Users[YourName]Downloads. You can change this in your browser settings.
Can I download shared Google Drive files?
Yes, if the owner has granted you download access. Click Shared with me in the left panel of Google Drive, then right-click the file and choose Download. If download is disabled by the owner, you will not see the Download option.
How do I download all of Google Drive at once?
Use Google Takeout (takeout.google.com) to export all your Google Drive data as a ZIP file. Select Drive from the list of Google products, choose your format and Google will email you a download link when the archive is ready.
Does downloading from Google Drive use my data?
Yes. Files download over your internet connection. A 1 GB file uses 1 GB of data. If you are on a mobile data plan, connect to WiFi before downloading large files.
Can I download Google Docs as PDF?
Yes. Open the Google Doc in your browser, go to File then Download then PDF Document (.pdf). The file downloads immediately as a PDF with all formatting preserved.
