Google Drive Viewers Cannot Download (How to Fix it in 2024)
In this article, we will show you how to fix the issue where viewers cannot download in Google Drive. Simply follow the steps below.
Google Drive Viewers Cannot Download
To fix the issue where viewers cannot download in Google Drive, follow the steps below.
1. Select the File or Folder You Want to Modify
Choose the specific file or folder you want to modify. Right-click on it and select “Share” from the dropdown menu. For example, if you want to modify a document named “Project Plan,” right-click on it and choose “Share.”
2. Open Sharing Settings
In the sharing settings, click on the “Share” button. This will open a new window where you can manage link sharing and permissions.
3. Set Link Sharing to Anyone with the Link
In the sharing window, you will see a section that says “Copy link.” Ensure the link sharing is set to “Anyone with the link” or a similar option. If the current setting is “Restricted,” change it to “Anyone with the link” to allow broader access.
4. Change Permissions from Viewer to Editor
Next to the link sharing option, click on the dropdown menu and change the permissions from “Viewer” to “Editor.” This will allow viewers to download the file.
5. Save the Permission Changes
After adjusting the permissions, make sure to save your changes. Click “Done” to confirm. Ensure you save these changes so they take effect.
6. Test the Download Access
Finally, test the settings by sharing the link with a viewer and confirming they can download the file. Ask them to open the shared document, go to the “File” menu, and select “Download.” They should see options to download the document in MS Word, PDF, or OpenDocument format. Verify they can download the “Project Plan” document successfully in one of these formats.
We hope you now have a better understanding of how to fix the issue where viewers cannot download in Google Drive. If you enjoyed this article, you might also like our article on ways to download view-only files from Google Drive or our article on how to download YouTube videos to Google Drive.
