Note: hosting view will not display files created in Google Docs. This will provide a folder that will give direct links to files inside the folder.

Any public folder in Drive can host files and provide direct links to the files. Turns out you can do this while still using Google Drive. But if you can create a link that points directly to the file, users can access the content right in their mobile browser.

If you share the files in Google Drive, users will be taken to a Google page where they have to download the file first. Imagine you want to use a QR code so guests at Parents’ Night can scan the code and stream video or audio straight to their mobile device. Update : Looks like Jonathan in the comments has figured a new way to do it! Many people get confused with this option, incorrectly thinking the recipient also needs to have a Google account - this is not the case.Īs the video we have made for you will show, when you share a file or folder in Google Drive directly with an email address, the recipient only needs to verify that they are the owner of the email address to be granted access.Update : It appears that Google has finally put a stop to this trick. So only the person with access to that email inbox can view the file you have shared. The most secure method is to share a file directly with the recipient's email address. However, if this link gets sent to the wrong person or gets shared out without your knowledge, anyone in the world can access the file you have shared. The next level allows you to share a document with anyone who has the link, this is a handy way to share a file, and no one has to authenticate before accessing the file. It is possible to share a file publicly on the web however, the setting to do this is well hidden (probably for the best).

Google Drive offers several ways to share files and folders with different levels of security.

Google drive url file