Google Drive update makes sharing files much more convenient

I don’t know about you, but in my case Google happens to have most of my information on its servers. It knows my contacts, locations, my most private conversations and it even has a full backup of my computer in Drive. This is why I am glad the Search Giant continues to make its services as secure as possible, but they must also be conveniently accessible.

The latest update to the Google Drive app puts a main focus in security and file sharing. The upgrade includes 3 improvements that will not only keep you more aware of your sharing settings, but also make it more convenient to access these. Let’s go through them one by one.

Mobile sharing notifications

Isn’t it annoying that notifications for shared files on Google Drive have been limited to email? I am not always checking my email, so it can be a bit inconvenient for me. The latest update fixes this issue by introducing notifications straight from the application.

Mobile notifications will immediately alert you when any file or folder has been shared with you. Just tap on it to access it! Easy as pie.

Requesting and granting access to files

You can share links to any file or folder within Google Drive, but so that does’t guarantee access to it. Maybe you just don’t want to give access to everyone with the link! This means you would still have to give other people specialized access to your documents, something that proved to be an annoying process in the past.

This is no more! Google is now allowing Android Drive users to request access to any Drive file with a single tap. In addition, file owners will get a notification straight from the app, which they can grant access to right away.

Preview files without a Google account (Android only)

Though here at Android Authority we are fans of Google’s services, we can understand not everyone is. Before today, mobile users weren’t able to preview files on their mobile Drive app. This was a bit of a nuisance, especially considering web previewing actually is accessible. Now mobile users can preview all they want.

Wrapping up

As always, these features are rolling out periodically, so you may not see them right away. But sit tight and be sure they are coming! Some of these are already heading out the door, though. Have you noticed any of the new features working yet?