You can access attachments coming from Gmail by opening the message within Google’s client. However, it is not a very convenient method. A central location is needed for it so you can access saved images, files, and documents. If you want to learn more about how you can save these Gmail attachments directly to your Google Drive, then follow the step by step guide we’ve listed below.
What is Google Drive?
Google Drive was launched in April 2012 to provide online store solutions for Google users. This is used primarily for backup and file storage. But, this can also be used as a tool for collaborative projects by schools, individuals, and even businesses.
Its official Google Drive app can be installed on both Android and iOS devices. It is free to download and use to upload or download files from your Google Drive account, offline viewing of files, share files with others, and file search.
Google Drive can also scan documents using your tablet or smartphone’s camera and automatically save them on the cloud storage. There are also official programs compatible with both Mac and Windows computers, which can be used to sync local documents to the cloud and access files to it.
This cloud storage app provides free 15 GB of space for users so they can store all of their files. If you want to get more space, you can opt to subscribe to its paid plans instead. The plan starts at 100 GB and goes up to 30 TB. You can pay either annually or monthly for the plan.
Saving Gmail Attachments
Try to imagine that you are working with a construction company and you are exchanging emails with them, which include multiple contracts and floor plans. It can be inconvenient to find that specific file on your inbox. However, if they are saved on your Google Drive, you don’t need to filter a hundred messages just to look for one file.
1. Gmail in Desktop Browsers
If you are accessing your Gmail account in a desktop browser installed on Chrome OS, Windows, Linux, or macOS, this method is the one you should follow.
- On your browser, open the Gmail. Log in using your username and password. Then, look for the email that contains the attachments you want to save on Google Drive. After that, move your mouse over to the attachment and choose the “Save to Drive” icon. For this example, we used emailed images.
- On the other hand, if you want to store two or more attachments on your Google Drive, choose the “Save All to Drive” icon, which is located in the upper-right corner of the window.
- If you are viewing an attachment and you want to store it on your Drive, then just click the “Add to My Drive” icon. This is also located in the upper-right corner of the window.
- To make sure that the attachments are successfully saved on Google Drive, open it on your browser. The saved attachments will appear on the Files and Quick Access categories of the cloud storage. If the attachments aren’t saved in those categories, then you should repeat the steps again.
2. Gmail Mobile App
If you are accessing your Gmail account via the mobile app for iPhone or Android, this is the method that you should follow.
- Launch the Gmail app on your phone. Look for the email that contains the attachments that you want to store on your Google Drive.
Then, scroll down and tap “Save to Drive”. You will see it on the icons listed under the thumbnail of the attachments. You have to do this step again and again if you will be saving more than one attachment.
- Tap the menu button or the three-dot icon on the upper-right corner of the app if you are currently viewing an attachment that you want to save on your Drive.
Tap the screen if the icon is not visible. Then, choose the “Select to Drive” option on the pop-up menu that will appear.
