Google Drive: How to Copy and Move Your Files and Folders

Key Takeaways 

• There is no direct way of copying an entire folder in Google Drive; you must copy its individual files.
• You can copy or move a file even before opening it by clicking the file name in its Google Drive location and selecting the needed option.

How to Make a Copy of Your Files or Folder

Google Drive has a Make a Copy feature that duplicates your document or files. It allows you to rename them and save them in any location. You may follow the steps below to duplicate the file or folder on mobile and web. Note that to make a copy of an entire folder, you must make copies of all its files individually.

Mobile

Step 1: Launch the Mobile app on your phone.

Step 2: Navigate to the file you want to copy.

Step 3: Tap the more options icon, the three dots, then select Make a Copy.

Now, you may search for the newly created file and move it into any folder you choose. We show you how to do this in a later section.

Web

Step 1: Visit Google Drive on the web.

Step 2: Navigate to the file you need to duplicate, right-click it, and select Make a Copy.

You may search for the newly created file and move it into any folder you choose. However, on the web, if you have already opened the document you need to copy, you may make a copy by following the steps below. This option allows you to rename it and change its location instantly.

Step 1: Click the File menu.

Step 2: Click Make a Copy.

Step 3: Now you may name it, click the Folder button to change its location, then click the Make a copy button.

How to Move Files to Another Folder

Unlike the Copy option, you may move entire Folders to new locations without first moving their individual files. The process to move a file and folder on Google Drive is similar. We will show you how it works on the app and web versions.

Mobile

Step 1: Launch the Mobile app on your phone.

Step 2: Navigate to the file or folder you want to move.

Step 3: Tap the three-dot more options and select Move.

Step 4: Choose a location, then click Move here.

Web

Step 1: Open Google Drive on your browser.

Step 2: Navigate to the file or folder you want to move.

Step 3: Right-click the file or folder, select Organize, then Move.

Step 4: Select a new location and click Move.

If the file is already open, you may click the Move icon beside the file name, then select a new location and click Move

Note: You may set up Google Drive for desktop to easily view and navigate to your files.