- Upload a video from your computer
- Upload a video from your phone
- Uploading lots of footage? Use Drive for desktop
- Size, quality and processing: the facts
- Why does it say the video is still processing?
- Share the video so people can watch it
- Watch out for duplicate names
- When the upload keeps failing
- My verdict
- Frequently asked questions
To upload a video to Google Drive, go to drive.google.com, click New, then File upload, and choose your video. On a phone, tap the plus button in the Drive app and choose Upload. Drive accepts video of any resolution, but it plays back at a maximum of 1920 x 1080, so keep your original file if you need full quality.
Video files are big, awkward to email and impossible to attach to most messages, which is exactly why Google Drive is handy for them. Whether you're sending a client a recording, backing up phone footage or sharing a promo clip with a freelancer, the upload itself takes seconds to start. Getting it right, so it plays smoothly and the other person can watch it, takes a little more know-how. Here's the full picture.
Upload a video from your computer
- Go to drive.google.com and sign in.
- Open the folder you want the video in, or create one first.
- At the top left, click New, then File upload.
- Pick the video and click Open. A progress box appears at the bottom right.
- Leave the tab open until the upload finishes. Closing it early cancels the upload.
You can also drag the video file from your desktop straight into an open Drive folder in your browser, which is quicker when you're uploading several clips at once.
Upload a video from your phone
- Open the Google Drive app.
- Tap the plus button.
- Tap Upload, then choose the video from your gallery or files.
- Keep the app open, and ideally stay on Wi-Fi, until it's done.
Phone videos are often several gigabytes, so uploading over mobile data can eat your allowance fast. I always wait for Wi-Fi for anything longer than a minute or two.
Uploading lots of footage? Use Drive for desktop
If you regularly move big video files, install Google Drive for desktop. Google says it adds a Google Drive folder to your computer, and anything you drag into it uploads to Drive and appears on drive.google.com. It carries on in the background, so you won't have to babysit a browser tab, which is a relief with large files.
Size, quality and processing: the facts
| Question | What Google says |
|---|---|
| How big can a video be? | Up to 5 TB if you have at least that much storage |
| What resolution can I upload? | Any resolution |
| What quality will it play at? | A maximum of 1920 x 1080 |
| Does it count against my storage? | Yes, even in a folder someone else owns |
That playback limit is the insight most people miss. You can upload a 4K video and the full file is stored safely, but if someone watches it inside Drive they'll see it at up to 1920 x 1080. If they need the full-resolution file, tell them to download it rather than stream it.
Why does it say the video is still processing?
After an upload, Google says the video might still be processing so it can be viewed on other devices or by the people you shared it with, even though you may be able to play it straight away. If someone sees a message that the video is still processing, it simply isn't ready yet. Large files can take a while, so give it time before you panic and upload it again.
Share the video so people can watch it
- Open the video in Drive.
- Click the arrow next to Share and choose Copy link.
- Check the access setting so the person you're sending it to can open it.
- Paste the link into your email or message.
Google also lets you copy a link to a specific moment in the video, which is brilliant for feedback: "watch from here" saves everyone time. Viewers can even leave timestamped comments on the video, and anyone who can watch it can see how many times it's been opened in the Details panel.
Watch out for duplicate names
If you upload a video with the same name as one already in that folder, Google says Drive uploads it as a new version of the existing file. That's useful for replacing an edit, but if you wanted both, click Keep both files when Drive asks.
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When the upload keeps failing
Most failed uploads come down to three things: running out of storage, a dropped connection, or the browser tab being closed. Check how much space you have left first. If you're tight, my guide to freeing up space on Google Drive walks you through clearing the big files. For long uploads, Drive for desktop or the mobile app is more forgiving than a browser. And if you're trimming the clip before you upload it, see how to trim a video on iPhone to cut the file size down.
My verdict
New, then File upload on a computer, or the plus button on your phone. For big or regular uploads, use Drive for desktop and stay on Wi-Fi. Remember it plays back at up to 1920 x 1080, so share the download if quality matters, and give large videos time to finish processing before you send the link.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to upload a video to Google Drive?
It depends on the file size and your internet speed. Large videos can also need extra processing time after the upload before others can watch them.
What is the maximum video size for Google Drive?
Google says you can store videos up to 5 TB if you have at least that much storage available.
Why is my Google Drive video blurry?
Drive plays video at a maximum of 1920 x 1080 and may still be processing a new upload. Download the file to see the original quality.
Do videos count towards my Google storage?
Yes. Uploaded files take up space in your Drive, even if you upload to a folder owned by someone else.
Can I upload a video to Google Drive from my iPhone?
Yes. Open the Google Drive app, tap the plus button, tap Upload and pick the video.
