How to Share Photos on Google Drive from Phone and PC

How to Share Photos Through Google Drive on Laptop and Desktop Devices

One key advantage of using Google Drive on a computer is the ability to upload multiple photos or entire folders at once. This method works well for professionals, students, or families who need to send photo albums, event collections, or project visuals. Google Drive allows users to adjust access levels, decide who can view, comment, or edit, and track who receives the files.

To send photos via Google Drive, upload them manually before sharing. After uploading, you can either share directly by entering an email or create a link. If you choose the link option, anyone with the link can access the photos. For sensitive or private content, avoid link sharing and use direct email access to ensure better security.

Upload Photos Before Sharing Pictures on Google Drive 

Before you can share anything, you need to upload your photos to Google Drive. If you're using a PC, the process is quick and straightforward. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1. Open your browser and go to drive.google.com.

Step 2. Sign in with your Google account if you haven’t already.

Step 3. Click the “+ New” button on the left side of the screen.

Step 4. Choose “File upload” to select individual photos or “Folder upload” to add an entire album.

Step 5. Find the file or folder on your computer and click “Open.”

Once the upload finishes, your photos will appear in your Drive, ready to be shared with others.

Method 1. Send Photos in Google Drive Using an Email Address

Using an email address to send photos through Google Drive provides a private and secure sharing option. This method suits users who need to control access and protect sensitive content. It supports setting clear permission levels, which helps manage how others interact with your photos. This approach limits access to only the chosen recipients, making it ideal for work, school, or personal use.

One clear benefit of this method is that you can exactly know who receives and views your shared files, although it only works if the recipient has a Google account. Despite that, this method stands out for its security and precision. Anyone who needs to send photos through Google Drive with confidence and privacy will find this option highly effective.

💡 The following tutorial will show you how to send pics through Google Drive by entering their email address:

Step 1. Go to drive.google.com and sign in to your Google account if you're not already logged in.

Step 2. Browse your Drive and find the photo or folder you'd like to send. You can upload new files if they’re not already in your Drive.

Step 3. Once you've selected the photo or folder, right-click on it and click “Share” from the menu that appears.

Step 4. In the sharing window, type the email address of the person you want to send it to. Use the drop-down to choose if they can view, comment, or edit the file.

Step 5. After confirming the email and access level, click “Send.” The recipient will receive an email with a link to access your shared photo or folder.

Method 2. Create a Google Drive Link for Photo Sharing

Creating a shareable link in Google Drive offers a fast and flexible way to share photos with multiple people at once. Instead of adding email addresses one by one, you can generate a link that anyone can use to access your photos, making it perfect for sharing with large groups or posting on messaging apps and social media.

This method also works well for sharing with non-Google users by setting the link’s access to “Anyone with the link.” This option allows anyone who has the link to view, comment, or edit, depending on the permission you choose. However, be cautious—if the link is widely shared, your photos may reach unintended viewers, so avoid this for private or sensitive images.

💡 Use these steps to understand how to share images on Google Drive by creating a shareable link:

Step 1. Open drive.google.com in your web browser and sign in to your Google account. Then, locate the image or folder you want to share within your Drive.

Step 2. Right-click the image or folder and select “Get link” from the menu that appears to start creating a shareable link.

Step 3. By default, the link access is set to “Restricted,” which means only specific people you invite can access the file. Click the dropdown menu to see other options.

Step 4. Choose “Anyone with the link” to allow anyone who has the link to open the file, regardless of whether they have a Google account.

Then select the permission level you want to grant:

• Viewer: Can only view the images without making changes.
• Commenter: Can view and leave comments, but cannot edit.
• Editor: Can make changes, add, or delete files in the shared folder.

Step 5. Click “Copy link” to copy the URL to your clipboard. You can now share this link via email, messaging apps, or social media, enabling others to access your photos according to the permissions you set.

How to Share Pics on Google Drive on iPhone

Google Drive on iPhone provides a unique experience when you want to share pictures with Google Drive compared to other devices like laptops or Android phones. Its tight integration with the iPhone’s Photos app and iOS system lets you select and upload images seamlessly without leaving the app ecosystem. This makes it especially convenient to share pictures quickly while on the go.

This method suits users who need to share pictures with Google Drive instantly or want to back up photos efficiently from their phone. Compared to desktop sharing, it offers greater mobility but requires attention to internet connection quality and device storage limits.

💡 Follow these steps to share pictures on Google Drive directly from your iPhone:

Step 1. Open the Google Drive app on your iPhone and sign in to your Google account if you're not already logged in.

Step 2. Upload your photos by tapping the “+” button in the bottom right corner, selecting “Upload,” and choosing the pictures from your Photos app.

Step 3. Locate the uploaded photo in your Drive, then tap the three-dot menu next to the image or folder you want to share.

Step 4. Tap “Share” to open the sharing options. Enter the recipient’s email address or adjust the link settings.

Step 5. Set permissions by choosing whether the person can view, comment, or edit, then tap “Send” or “Copy link” to share as needed.

How to Send Photos in Google Drive from Android Phones

Android devices offer a smooth and efficient way to send photos using Google Drive, thanks to the system’s built-in integration with Google services. Most Android phones come with Google Drive pre-installed, allowing direct access to upload and share photos through the device’s file manager or Google Photos app. This method supports sharing via email or link, giving users flexible options for both personal and professional use.

When compared to iPhone, Android delivers a more seamless experience with Google apps, making the entire process faster. For anyone who needs to send photos using Google Drive on the go, Android offers a reliable and convenient solution with just a few simple steps.

💡 Follow these steps to send photos from Google Drive on your Android phone:

Step 1. Open the Google Drive app and sign in to your Google account if you're not already logged in.

Step 2. Tap the “+” button in the bottom right corner and select “Upload.” Choose the photos you want to upload from your device’s gallery or file manager.

Step 3. Wait for the upload to finish. You will see the uploaded photos appear in your Drive once complete.

Step 4. Find the uploaded photo or folder, tap the three dots next to it, and choose “Share.”

Step 5. Enter an email address or tap “Manage access” to create a shareable link. Adjust the permission (Viewer, Commenter, or Editor), then send or copy the link as needed.

Bonus Tip: How to Share Pictures on Google Drive to Another Account

If you want to send or sync photos between two Google Drive accounts, manually downloading and uploading files can be time-consuming. CBackup offers a convenient solution with its cloud-to-cloud sync feature. This tool allows you to seamlessly transfer or sync photos from one Google Drive account to another without the need to download files to your device.

By connecting both accounts within CBackup, you can automate photo transfers, saving time and effort while keeping your images backed up across multiple accounts. This method is especially useful for users managing multiple Google Drive accounts or looking for an easy way to consolidate photos.

Step 1. Visit the CBackup website and sign up for a free account, or log in if you already have one.

Step 2. Once logged in, go to “Storage” and click “Add Cloud” to connect your first Google Drive account. Follow the prompts to authorize access. Then, repeat the process to add your second Google Drive account.

Step 3. After both accounts are connected, go to the “Sync” section and choose “Cloud to Cloud Sync”.

Step 4. Select your first Google Drive as the source and the second Google Drive as the destination for syncing.

Step 5. Choose the folders or photos you want to transfer, then click “Start Sync” to begin moving your pictures between accounts automatically.

Conclusion

Learning how to share photos on Google Drive from both phone and PC gives you full control over how and with whom you share your images. Google Drive allows photo sharing through direct email or public links, with adjustable permissions to fit different needs. Whether you need to share a few snapshots or an entire folder, the process remains simple across devices.

Google’s cloud platform also ensures that your photos stay accessible and secure. By using the right method for your situation, you can confidently manage and share photos anytime, anywhere, without relying on third-party apps or complicated tools.

FAQs About Sharing Pictures on Google Drive

Before you go, take a look at these common questions users often ask about sharing pictures using Google Drive.

1. How do You Transfer Pictures from Google Drive to Email?

If you want to send photos stored in Google Drive as email attachments, you can do it directly through Gmail without downloading the files to your device. This is useful when the recipient needs the actual image file, not just a link.

Steps to Send Photos from Google Drive as Email Attachments:

• 1. Open Gmail and click “Compose” to start a new email.
• 2. Click the Google Drive icon at the bottom of the compose window.
• 3. Find and select the photo(s) you want to send.
• 4. Choose “Attachment” (not “Drive link”) to include the actual file in the email.
• 5. Click “Insert,” then add your recipient’s address and hit “Send.”

This sends a copy of the image file directly in the email.

2. How do I Set Up a Google Drive for Sharing Photos?

Setting up Google Drive for sharing photos allows you to organize and control how others access your images. Whether you're sharing with friends, family, or coworkers, Google Drive makes it easy to manage access and permissions.

Steps to Set Up a Google Drive for Sharing Photos: Open Google Drive and sign in to your Google account.

• 1. Click the “+ New” button and select “Folder” to create a dedicated space for your photos.
• 2. Name the folder (e.g., “Shared Photos”) and click “Create.”
• 3. Open the folder, then click the folder name at the top and select “Share.”
• 4. Enter email addresses or choose “Anyone with the link” and set permissions (Viewer, Commenter, Editor).
• 5. Upload your photos into this shared folder.

3. How do I Send Photos with Google Drive on Mac?

Sending photos with Google Drive on a Mac is simple and efficient. You can upload your images to Drive and share them securely with others by email or link, controlling who can view or edit the files.

Steps to send photos with Google Drive on Mac:

• 1. Go to drive.google.com and sign in.
• 2. Click “New” > “File upload” and select your photos.
• 3. Once uploaded, right-click the photo or folder and select “Share.”
• 4. Enter email addresses and set permissions.
• 5. Click “Send” or create a shareable link to share.