How to Download Entire Google Drive to Computer and Phones

🔍 Quick Guide:

• Can You Download All Files in Google Drive at Once?

• How to Download the Entire Google Drive to a Computer or Mac?

• How do You Download Files from Google Drive on iPhone?

• How to Download All Files from Google Drive on Android?

• Bonus Tip: Use CBackup for Easier Google Drive Backup

• FAQs About Downloading Google Drive Files

Can You Download All Files in Google Drive at Once?

Yes, you can download all your files from Google Drive at once—but how you do it depends on the device and method you choose.

💻 On a computer, you can select multiple files or folders manually, and then Google will compress the files into a ZIP folder for easier downloading. However, this method has limitations if you're dealing with a large amount of data or complex folder structures. For a complete download, Google Takeout is the most reliable option. This official tool allows you to export your entire Google Drive content, including shared documents, photos, and videos.

📱 On mobile devices, such as Android and iPhone, downloading all files at once isn’t as straightforward. The Google Drive app lets you download individual files or folders, but there’s currently no built-in option to download everything in bulk. For that, using a computer is highly recommended.

So, while it’s possible to download your entire Google Drive at once, the best method depends on your device and the size of your data. The following parts will guide you through choosing the most suitable way based on your needs, with clear step-by-step instructions.

How to Download Entire Google Drive to a Computer or Mac

Now that you understand the options for downloading all your Google Drive files, let’s dive into the step-by-step process for computers and Macs. This section will show you how to quickly and safely save your entire Drive content directly to your desktop or laptop.

1. Download All the Files from Google Drive Using Google Takeout

Google Takeout is the best choice when you want to download your entire Google Drive content at once, especially if you have a large amount of data or multiple folders. This tool lets you export everything in one go, making it ideal for backing up your data or transferring files to another service.

Before you start, keep in mind that the process can take some time depending on your file size, and the downloaded data will come as compressed archives. Make sure you have enough storage space on your device to save these files. Also, a stable internet connection is essential to avoid interruptions during the download.

💡 Here is how to download all from Google Drive step by step:

Step 1. Access Google Takeout:

• Navigate to Google Takeout.
• Sign in with your Google account credentials.

Step 2. Select Data to Include:

• By default, all Google services are selected.
• Click on “Deselect all” to uncheck all services.
• Scroll down and check the box next to Google Drive.
• Click on “All Drive data included” to choose specific folders or files if you don’t want to download everything. (optional)

Step 3. Choose File Format and Delivery Method:

• Click on “Next step”.
• Select your preferred file type (.zip is recommended) and the maximum archive size.
• Choose how you want to receive your data: via email download link, add to Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, or Box.

Notes:✎...

If you want to export Google Drive data to your computer, the best option is to choose the email download link in Google Takeout. It’s simple, secure, and lets you save the files directly to your device—perfect for personal backups or one-time exports.

Step 4. Create Export:

• Click on “Create export”.
• Google will begin preparing your files, which may take from minutes to hours, depending on the amount of data.

Step 5. Download Your Files:

• Once the export is ready, you’ll receive an email with a download link.
• Click the link to download the compressed archive(s) to your computer or device.

2. Download Google Drive Files to PC Using the Web Interface

This solution is ideal if you only need to download selected files or folders, not your entire Drive. It’s best for users who want quick access to specific documents, photos, or projects without exporting everything.

Before you begin, make sure you’re using a modern browser and have enough storage space on your computer. Also, keep in mind that downloading large folders will compress them into ZIP files, which you’ll need to extract afterward.

💡 Here is how to download files from Google Drive with the Google Drive web interface:

Step 1. Go to drive.google.com, navigate to the folder or the file you want to download, and you can press the Ctrl key to select multiple files.

Step 2. After selecting the files you want to get, right-click them and choose the Download option.

3. Download Data with Google Drive for Desktop

This method is ideal if you regularly work with Google Drive files and want them easily accessible on your computer without manual downloads. It’s best for users who prefer real-time sync between their Drive and PC or Mac, especially for frequent backups or offline access.

Before getting started, make sure you have enough local storage for the files you plan to sync. Also, decide whether you want to stream files (access them on-demand from the cloud) or mirror files (keep full copies on your device). A stable internet connection is important for seamless syncing.

💡 Follow the steps to download entire Google Drive with Google Drive for Desktop: 

Step 1. Download and install the Drive for desktop on Windows and Mac computers, and log in to it.

Step 2. During setup, choose your sync settings:

• ➤ Stream files (files stay in the cloud and download only when opened), or
• ➤ Mirror files (all files are stored locally and kept in sync).

Step 3. Once setup is complete, open File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac) and go to the Google Drive folder. You can now view, copy, or move files as if they were local.

Step 4. (Optional) You can set files available offline so that you can access them when you aren't accessible to the network. Just right-click the file or folder, choose Offline access > Available offline.

Notes:✎...

If you find that you cannot download file from Google Drive during the download operation, it may prompt you "Sorry, you can't view or download this file at this time" or "Access to doc-Oc-as-docs.googleusercontent.com was denied", then you can click on the article to learn how to restore Google Drive to download files correctly.

How do You Download Files from Google Drive on iPhone

This method is perfect for iPhone users who want to save specific Google Drive files directly to their device for offline access or easy sharing. It’s especially useful when you need quick access to documents, photos, or PDFs without relying on constant internet connectivity.

Before starting, make sure your iPhone has enough free storage and the latest Google Drive app installed. Also, some files may require specific apps to open or edit once downloaded. For example, a PDF file will open smoothly in the Apple Books app, while a Microsoft Word document may require the Word app or another compatible editor to view or edit properly after download.

💡 This guide will teach you how to download Google Drive videos and photos on an iPhone:

Step 1. Download and install the Google Drive app on your iPhone, and sign in with your Google account.

Step 2. Find the files you want to download in your profile and click the three dots next to the file.

Step 3. Then click Send a copy in the pop-up option.

Step 4. Pick a location like “On My iPhone” or iCloud Drive, then tap Save.

How to Download All Files from Google Drive on Android

This approach works really well for those who are changing devices, getting ready for a trip where they won’t have internet, or just need to sort through a bunch of files on their own. Unlike downloading individual files, downloading everything at once requires a bit more planning on Android.

Keep in mind that Android doesn’t natively support downloading entire folders from Google Drive through the app. You’ll either need to use the desktop version of Google Drive in a mobile browser or rely on third-party file manager apps. Also, Android’s built-in Files app may not fully support unzipping large folders, so having a reliable ZIP extractor (like ZArchiver) installed can be helpful.

💡 Follow these steps to download data from Google Drive on Android phones:

Step 1. Launch Google Drive on your Android device, and make sure you're signed in to your Google account.

Step 2. Tap and hold one file to select it, then tap additional files you want to download.

Step 3. After selecting, tap the menu icon (•••) at the top-right corner of the screen.

Step 4. The selected files will begin downloading to your device. You can access them in your phone’s Downloads folder.

Bonus Tip: Use CBackup for Easier Google Drive Backup

Looking for a smarter way to manage and download all your Google Drive data? CBackup offers an easy, cloud-based solution that goes beyond manual downloads. You can back up Google Drive to another cloud (like OneDrive, Dropbox, or even another Google Drive account), automatically schedule backups, and merge multiple Google Drive accounts into one large backup space.

When it’s time to download your files, everything backed up via CBackup can be accessed and downloaded with just a few clicks—no need to compress or manually select folders. It’s especially helpful if you're switching accounts, organizing data across platforms, or need to regularly back up your entire Google Drive without using up device storage.

This tutorial will teach you how to combine the cloud drives and back up your files using CBackup:

Step 1. Please create a CBackup account for free with a sign-up, then sign in.

Step 2. Add your Google Drive account under the Storage tab, select Google Drive, and click Authorize Now. Then grant authority to CBackup to access and manage Google Drive files. And then set up the settings for Google Drive.

Step 3. Now you could merge multiple Google Drive accounts using the combined cloud feature to get more free storage space for Google Drive. Just tap Storage > + Add Combined Cloud.

Step 4. Edit the Name of the Combined Cloud, tick all the cloud drives, and press Next.

Step 5. Determine the order of Google Drive accounts to store backup files, and click Combine.

Step 6. Now, you can back up all your files to CBackup by creating a new task.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to download entire Google Drive to your computer or phone ensures you have full control over your files and can access them offline anytime. Whether you use Google Takeout, the Drive app, or helpful backup tools, choosing the right method makes the process simple and efficient. Follow the steps outlined here to securely save all your important data with ease.

FAQs About Downloading Google Drive Files

Still have questions about how to download with Google Drive? The FAQs below address common concerns for users on phones, PCs, or anyone seeking the easiest way to back up their files. Let’s clear things up.

1. How to Download Google Drive into ZIP Files

To download Google Drive files as a ZIP, use a computer and follow these steps:

• 1. Go to drive.google.com and sign in.
• 2. Select the files or folders you want to download.
• 3. Right-click and choose “Download.”
• 4. Google will automatically compress the selected items into a ZIP file.

Once the ZIP is ready, it will start downloading to your computer. You can then extract the contents using any standard ZIP tool.

2. How to Download Google Drive Videos

Follow these steps to download a video from Google Drive:

• 1. Open Google Drive in your browser or mobile app.
• 2. Locate the video file you want to save.
• 3. Click the three-dot menu (mobile) or right-click (desktop).
• 4. Select “Download.”

The video will begin downloading and be saved to your device’s default download location.

3. How to Download All Photos from Google Drive

To download all your photos at once, follow these steps:

• 1. Open Google Drive on your computer browser.
• 2. Navigate to the folder containing your photos or create one to organize them.
• 3. Select all the photos by clicking the first photo, then holding Shift and clicking the last.
• 4. Right-click and choose “Download.”
• 5. Google Drive will compress the photos into a ZIP file and start the download.

After downloading, unzip the file to access all your photos locally. For mobile devices, it’s best to use a computer for bulk downloads since the app doesn’t support selecting multiple files at once easily.

4. How to Download Documents from Google Drive

To download documents from Google Drive:

• 1. Open Google Drive on your computer or mobile app.
• 2. Find the document you want to download.
• 3. On desktop, right-click the file and select “Download.”
• 4. On mobile, tap the three-dot menu next to the document and choose “Download.”

The document will be saved to your device, ready to open with compatible apps.