The simplest way to download a video from Google Drive

Right-click the video file in Google Drive and select Download. The file will save to your computer's default download folder — usually called Downloads. This works for any video format Google Drive recognizes: MP4, MOV, AVI, WebM, and others.

If you're viewing the video already open in Google Drive, click the three-dot menu in the top right corner and choose Download. The video downloads in its original format and quality, which is important if you need it for editing or archiving.

The download time depends on the video's file size and your internet speed. A 100 MB video on a standard home connection typically takes a few minutes. Google Drive doesn't compress videos during download, so you get the exact file you uploaded.

Key Takeaways

  • Right-click any video file in Google Drive and select Download to save it to your computer in seconds.
  • Videos download in their original format and quality, not compressed versions.
  • You need download permission on the file — if you can only view it, the Download option won't appear.
  • Downloaded videos go to your computer's Downloads folder unless you choose a different location during download.
  • If the video is very large, check your available hard drive space before starting the download.

When you need to choose where the file saves

By default, Google Drive sends downloads to your Downloads folder. If you want the video to go somewhere else — your Desktop, a project folder, or an external drive — you can change this during download.

On Windows, right-click the video and select Download. A window appears asking where you want to save it. Navigate to your chosen folder and click Save. On Mac, the process is the same: right-click, Download, then choose your location.

This matters if you're organizing videos by project or keeping them on an external hard drive. Saving directly to the right folder saves you the step of moving files around later.

What to do if Download doesn't appear

If you right-click a video and see no Download option, you don't have permission to download that file. The person who shared it with you may have restricted downloads. You can still watch the video in Google Drive, but you cannot save a copy to your computer.

If you own the file or have editor access, the Download option should appear. If you only have viewer access, ask the file owner to give you editor permissions. They can do this by opening the file, clicking the Share button, and changing your access level from "Viewer" to "Editor."

Downloading videos shared with you

Videos shared through a Google Drive link work the same way. Open the link, right-click the video, and select Download if that option is available. Whether you can download depends on the permissions the person who shared it set.

If the link says "Viewer only," downloads are blocked. If it says "Editor" or "Commenter," you can download. The person who created the share link controls these settings, and you cannot change them yourself.

Large video files and download limits

Google Drive has no stated download limit for individual files. However, very large videos — over 5 GB — may take a long time or occasionally stall on slower connections. If a download stalls, close it and try again. Google Drive will resume from where it stopped if you download the same file within a few hours.

Before downloading a very large video, check that you have enough free space on your computer. A 4 GB video needs 4 GB of available hard drive space. You can check free space on Windows by opening File Explorer, right-clicking your C: drive, and selecting Properties. On Mac, click the Apple menu, select About This Mac, and look at Storage.

Downloading multiple videos at once

If you need to download several videos, you can select them all and download as a folder. In Google Drive, hold Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac) and click each video you want. Then right-click and select Download. Google Drive creates a ZIP file containing all the videos and downloads it to your computer.

The ZIP file keeps the original video formats inside it. Once downloaded, you need to unzip it to access the videos. On Windows, right-click the ZIP file and select Extract All. On Mac, double-click it and it unzips automatically. This method is faster than downloading videos one at a time if you have many to save.

Why your video might not download completely

If a download stops partway through, your internet connection likely dropped. Check that you're still connected to WiFi or your network. If you are, try downloading again — most browsers will resume the partial download rather than starting over.

If the download keeps failing at the same point, try a different web browser. Sometimes one browser has trouble with a file that another handles fine. Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge all work with Google Drive downloads, and switching browsers often solves stubborn problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I download a video from Google Drive on my phone?

The Google Drive app on Android and iPhone does not have a direct download button for videos. You can watch videos in the app, but to save them to your phone, you need to use the web version of Google Drive in your phone's browser. Open drive.google.com in Chrome or Safari, find the video, and tap the three-dot menu to download.

Does downloading a video from Google Drive make a copy or move the original?

Downloading creates a copy on your computer. The original stays in Google Drive unchanged. You now have two versions: one in Google Drive and one on your computer. Deleting the downloaded copy does not affect the file in Google Drive.

What format will my video be in after I download it?

The downloaded video keeps its original format — if it was an MP4 in Google Drive, it downloads as an MP4. Google Drive does not convert formats during download. If you need a different format, you can use free video conversion software like HandBrake or VLC after downloading.

Can I download a video that someone else uploaded to a shared Google Drive folder?

Yes, if you have the right permissions. If the folder is shared with you as an editor, you can download any video in it. If you only have viewer access, downloads may be blocked depending on how the folder owner set permissions. Ask them to check the sharing settings if you cannot download.

Will downloading use up my Google Drive storage?

No. Downloading a video to your computer removes it from your Google Drive quota — it now only takes up space on your computer's hard drive. This is useful if you are running out of Google Drive storage and want to keep videos but free up cloud space.