Google Drive doesn’t have a password lock for folders. To “lock” a folder, you control who can open or change it through sharing. Right-click the folder, choose Share, remove anyone who shouldn’t have access, set General access to Restricted, and give everyone else Viewer access so they can’t edit. To protect individual files from being edited, you can also turn on Lock for supported files from the file’s details menu, and for photos, Google Photos has a separate Locked Folder on your phone.
Below are the ways to lock down a Drive folder, what each one does, and what to do if you need password protection.
Make a folder private
- Go to drive.google.com.
- Right-click the folder and choose Share > Share.
- Under People with access, click the role next to anyone who shouldn’t have access and choose Remove access.
- Under General access, choose Restricted so only people you add can open it.
- Click Done.
Files inside the folder inherit these settings, unless a file was shared separately. Check important files individually.
Let people view but not change the folder
- Open the folder’s Share settings.
- Change each person’s role to Viewer or Commenter.
- Click the gear icon and uncheck Viewers and commenters can see the option to download, print, and copy if you don’t want copies made.
Lock individual files from editing
Google Drive lets you lock some files so they can’t be edited, commented on or deleted until unlocked. Right-click a file, choose File information > Lock (the exact menu wording can vary), and confirm. This is available for many file types, including uploaded files, and is useful for finished contracts or approved documents. Owners and editors can unlock it later.
Shared drives: control who can manage content
If you use a Google Workspace shared drive, give most members the Contributor or Viewer role so they can’t delete or move files. Only Content managers and Managers can remove files.
Password-protect files in Drive
Drive can’t add a password to a folder, but you can protect the files themselves before uploading:
- Password-protect a Word document, Excel workbook or PDF in the app that created it, then upload it.
- Put files in a password-protected ZIP or 7z archive before uploading.
Anyone who opens the file in Drive will need the password, and Drive won’t be able to preview it.
Google Photos Locked Folder
If you want to hide private photos, use the Google Photos app on your phone. Open Collections > Utilities > Locked Folder, set it up with your screen lock, and move photos into it. Photos in the Locked Folder need your fingerprint, face or PIN to view.
Which option fits your goal?
| Goal | Use |
|---|---|
| Only I can see the folder | Restricted access, remove others |
| Others can see but not change it | Viewer or Commenter roles |
| Stop edits to a finished file | Lock the file |
| Need a password | Password-protect files before uploading |
| Hide private photos on your phone | Google Photos Locked Folder |
Related: access the Locked Folder in Google Photos.
Related: access a shared Google Drive.
Related: Add a shortcut in Google Drive.
Related: How to make a folder in Google Docs.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put a password on a Google Drive folder?
No. Google Drive uses sharing permissions instead of passwords. Your Google account sign-in protects your files.
Can someone with the link open a restricted folder?
No. With Restricted access, only people added by name can open it, even if they have the link.
How do I keep my Drive secure?
Turn on 2-Step Verification for your Google account and review shared files regularly in Drive’s Shared with me and sharing settings.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.