Google Drive is one of the popular cloud storage for Android. Every other Android user has used simple cloud storage to store the data. However, did you know that there is more to it? Besides, all the basic features, it can be used for files sharing, as Google Photos companion and more.
We have listed some of the features that are least known to Android users.
1. Backup Your Phone
One of the most important features of Google Drive is the ability to backup the data of your Android. It is by far the convenient way to backup your data. It can successfully backup your system, data settings, and some data.
You can backup data in a few simple steps:
- Open Google Drive.
- Go to Settings.
- Locate Backup and Reset and tap on it.
- Select Backup my data and enable it.
Note: Always keep Automatic restore enabled.
2. Scan Photos and Documents
Google Drive totally promotes paperless world. With this app, you get a document scanner with OCR support. So, you can scan your photos and documents easily.
To do so, follow these steps:
- Open Google Drive.
- Click + sign button
- Click on scan from the pop menu.
- Point the camera to the document that you want to scan.
- Click a pic and then save it by clicking on check icon.
Note: You can always crop the image to the desired length.
3. Incorporate With Google Photos
Want to access your photos on any device you log in. Well, it is pretty easy. You can sync your photos with Google Photos. To automate the process, you can follow the steps:
- Go to Google Drive.
- Locate Settings.
- Then Click on Auto Add.
- Once you have enabled Auto Add, it creates a folder in your drive named Google Photos.
4. Make Files Public
There are many mediums to share a file but you can use Google Drive to make your files available for someone. To share the files, follow these steps:
Open Google Drive.
- Go to Document and tap on menu button beside it.
- Select Share link option.
- You will get a link and share it on social media.
You can share the file with others by adding people’s email address.
All you need to do is
- Go to Document and tap on menu button beside it.
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- Click on Add people and then tap on the green link under the Who has access.
- Once you tap on it, you will get eye icon beside Link sharing on. You can also change the permission to Comment & Edit.
5. Open Files in a Different App
You can open the files stored in your Google Drive with a different app as well and it works for PNG, PDF office files, and much more. Follow these steps:
- Go to Document and tap on menu button beside it.
- Tap on Open With.
- You will get options available according to the apps compatible to open the file.
6. Add Home Screen Shortcuts
If you access some of the files on Google Drive way too often, then adding the file shortcut to home screen is a good idea. To do so, follow the steps:
- Open Google Drive.
- Go to the document and tap on menu button beside it.
- Locate Add to Home screen and tap on it.
- You will get a shortcut of it on the home screen.
7. Save Shared Files and Folders
The best part of having Google Drive with you is that you can access and share the files and documents easily. The files that are shared by others can be seen under Shared with Me folder.
To keep the shared files in an organized manner, you can move them into one of your own folders. To do so, follow the steps:
- Open Google Drive.
- Go to shared document and tap on menu button beside it.
Credit Image: Makeuseof.com
- Tap on Add to Drive.
- It will ask you to pick a folder wherein you want to save it.
- Tap Add.
In case you don’t want to save it to an existing folder, then you can create a new folder, by tapping on the icon located in the top right corner.
So, these were a few hacks that could be applied while using Google Drive to make it more useful.
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