How to Send Video in Google Drive: A Complete Guide

Learning how to send video in Google Drive is essential for sharing large video files efficiently. Whether you’re collaborating with colleagues, sending family videos, or sharing content with clients, Google Drive offers a secure and convenient solution. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of the process, from uploading your videos to managing sharing permissions and troubleshooting common issues.

Table of Contents

• Uploading Videos to Google Drive
• Understanding Google Drive Sharing Options
• How to Send Video in Google Drive
• Setting the Right Sharing Permissions
• Tips for Sending Large Video Files
• Troubleshooting Common Issues
• Alternative Methods for Sending Videos

Uploading Videos to Google Drive

Before you can send a video through Google Drive, you need to upload it to your account. Follow these simple steps:

Method 1: Web Browser Upload

1. Sign in to your Google account and open Google Drive
2. Click the + New button in the top-left corner
3. Select File upload from the dropdown menu
4. Navigate to your video file and select it
5. Wait for the upload to complete (progress will show in the bottom-right corner)

Method 2: Drag and Drop

For even faster uploading:

• Open Google Drive in your browser
• Locate your video file in File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac)
• Drag the file directly into your Google Drive window
• Release the mouse button when you see the “Drop to upload” message

Understanding Google Drive Sharing Options

Google Drive offers several ways to share your videos, each with different levels of access:

• Viewer: Recipients can watch but not edit or download
• Commenter: Recipients can add comments but not edit the file
• Editor: Recipients can edit, delete, and manage sharing
• Link sharing: Anyone with the link can access (with chosen permission level)
• Email invitation: Specific people receive direct access

How to Send Video in Google Drive

Now that your video is uploaded, here’s how to send video in Google Drive to others:

Method 1: Share via Email

1. Right-click on your video file in Google Drive
2. Select Share from the context menu
3. In the sharing dialog, enter the recipient’s email address
4. Choose the appropriate permission level (Viewer, Commenter, or Editor)
5. Optionally add a message in the note field
6. Click Send

Method 2: Share via Link

1. Right-click your video file and select Share
2. Click on Copy link in the sharing dialog
3. Adjust link sharing settings (Restricted or Anyone with the link)
4. Set the permission level (View, Comment, or Edit)
5. Paste the link in an email, message, or wherever you need to share it

Setting the Right Sharing Permissions

Choosing appropriate permissions is crucial when learning how to send video in Google Drive:

• For personal videos: Use “Viewer” permission to prevent accidental edits
• For team collaboration: “Editor” allows colleagues to make changes
• For client review: “Commenter” lets them provide feedback without altering the original
• For public sharing: “Anyone with the link” as Viewer works best

Tips for Sending Large Video Files

Video files can be large, but these strategies will help:

Compress Before Uploading

Use video editing software to reduce file size without significant quality loss.

Use Google Drive’s Desktop App

The Backup and Sync app handles large uploads more reliably than browsers.

Split Long Videos

Consider dividing very long videos into parts for easier sharing.

Check Your Storage

Ensure you have enough Google Drive space for your video files.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Recipient Can’t Access the Video

• Verify sharing permissions are set correctly
• Check if the recipient is using the same email address you shared to
• Ensure the link wasn’t revoked or expired

Upload Fails

• Check your internet connection
• Verify the file isn’t larger than 5TB (Google Drive’s maximum)
• Try uploading in incognito mode to rule out extension conflicts

Playback Issues

• Google Drive supports most common video formats (MP4, MOV, AVI, etc.)
• If playback fails, try downloading the file instead of streaming
• Convert to a more compatible format if necessary

Alternative Methods for Sending Videos

While Google Drive is excellent, sometimes alternatives work better:

• Google Photos: Better for personal video sharing with automatic organization
• WeTransfer: Good for one-time large file transfers
• Dropbox: Similar functionality with different collaboration features
• YouTube: Ideal for public video sharing with unlimited storage

Conclusion

Now that you know how to send video in Google Drive, you can share your video content with anyone, anywhere. Whether for work or personal use, Google Drive provides a reliable platform for video sharing with customizable permissions and robust security. Remember to choose the right sharing method for your needs, manage permissions carefully, and consider file size when sending large videos.

Ready to start sharing? Log in to your Google Drive now and put