When it comes to engagement, it's Google Drive It's an easy-to-use platform that lets you share files with anyone. But this usability also comes at a hidden cost, as it paves the way for spammers to target anyone by effectively sharing malicious files and abusive content. Well, Google is trying to stop all of this by introducing the blocking feature on Google Drive. In this article, we'll show you how to block or unblock someone on Google Drive.
With the blocking feature, you can stop anyone anonymously trying to share files with you. Also, blocking someone will Delete any files This will effectively revoke the person's access to files you previously shared.
Together, we'll learn how to block and unblock someone on Google Drive on both mobile and PC. Let's get started.
How to Block Someone on Google Drive on PC
Blocking someone on Google Drive will delete any files they've shared, and vice versa. Here's how it works on your computer.
Step 1: Open your favorite web browser and sign in to your Google Drive account.
Step 2: Switch to the "Shared with Me" tab on your left. Here, you'll find all the files shared with your account. Navigate to the file shared by the user you want to block. Right-click on the file and select "Block [Email ID]" from the menu.
Step 3: When prompted, click Block to confirm.
Note: You can't block other users on the same domain if you use Google Drive at work or school.
That's it. Now, blocked users won't be able to share any files with you. Blocking someone on Google Drive will also block them on other Google services, such as gmail Chat, maps, etc.
How to Block Someone on Google Drive on Mobile
You can also block someone using the Google Drive app on your phone. The Google Drive app offers a similar experience on Android and iPhone. Here's how to block someone on the Google Drive mobile app.
Step 1: Open the Google Drive app on your phone. Go to the Shared tab.
Step 2: Locate any file shared by the person you want to block. Tap the three-dot menu icon next to it. Scroll all the way down to tap the "Block [email ID]" option.
When you block someone, Google won't notify them. But they will know when they fail to share any files with you after that.
How to Unblock Someone on Google Drive on PC
If you change your mind at any time and want to share something with the person you previously blocked, you'll need to unblock them first. Here's how to unblock someone on Google Drive on your computer.
Step 1: Open your browser and go to the Google Drive home page.
Step 2: Click your profile picture in the top right and click the “Manage your Google Account” option.
Step 3: Switch to the People & Sharing tab on your left and click the Blocked option on your right.
Step 4: Here you'll find a list of all the users you've blocked. Click the X next to a person's username to unblock them.
That's it. The user can now share files with you as before. However, unblocking the person does not restore previously shared files.
How to unblock someone on Google Drive on mobile
Similar to the web version, you can also unblock someone on the Google Drive app on your iPhone or Android device by visiting the account management settings in the app. Here's how.
Step 1: Open the Google Drive app on your phone. Tap your profile picture in the upper right corner and select "Manage your Google Account."
Step 2: On the next page, switch to the People & Sharing tab and tap Blocked under Contacts.
Step 3: Finally, click the X icon next to the person's username to unblock them.
Whether you're using Google Drive on a web browser or the app, blocking and unblocking someone is a very similar and straightforward experience.
Avoid receiving spam messages
The introduction of the blocking feature is a step in the right direction by Google. While it may not completely protect you from spammers, it does present another obstacle for them to remove. Additionally, it gives the user some control over What is shared What is not shared.
Have you started experimenting with how to block or unblock someone on Google Drive? How important is this feature to you? Do you wish it worked a little differently in any way? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
