Get started with encrypted files in Drive, Docs, Sheets and Slides

All files uploaded to Drive or created in Docs, Sheets and Slides are encrypted in transit and at rest with AES256 bit encryption. For additional confidentiality, your organisation can allow you to encrypt Drive, Docs, Sheets and Slides files with Workspace Client-side encryption. Encrypted files have some limitations from standard files. You can also upload any Drive file types like PDFs and Office as encrypted Drive files.

Important:

  • For administrators: You can use Drive API to perform bulk imports of encrypted files for your organisation. For more information, refer to the Migrating client-side encrypted data to Drive guide in the admin knowledge base.
  • To encrypt Drive, Docs, Sheets and Slides files with Workspace client-side encryption:
    • You must have a Workspace account.
    • Your administrator must enable client-side encryption.
    • You must verify your identity.

You can download or preview an encrypted file on your iPhone or iPad if your admin has turned on the setting. Learn more about how to download a file from Google Drive.

To make, copy or upload an encrypted file, go to drive.google.com on your computer.

Tips:

  • This feature is available for file types supported by Google Drive, including Microsoft Office and PDF files.
  • To look at or preview client-side encrypted files, you need a compatible reader on your device. 
  • To protect your data, you can't record your screen while viewing encrypted files. A visual mask hides the content if you record. Encrypted audio and video playback pauses automatically until you stop recording.
  • Google Docs, Sheets and Slides are not yet supported.

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