How to delete Google Drive (desktop application or mobile app)

People typically delete Google Drive applications for one of the following reasons:

• They aren’t using it (or prefer to use Google Drive in a browser)
• There are issues with syncing files, especially if large files or folders are regularly updated.
• The computer is about to be sold or transferred to a new owner or user.

Steps to uninstall Google Drive are covered below. Note that files may still be left on your computer or device even after Drive has been removed. To disconnect the new Google Drive Backup & Sync application, follow these steps.

Removing the Google Drive application from a desktop or laptop

If you want to remove the Google Drive application from your computer, follow these steps:

1. Click the Google Drive icon in the System Tray (Windows) or Menu Bar (OS X) and select Preferences.
2. Select Account.
3. Press Disconnect Account

Then follow these steps:

PC

1. Press Start > Control Panel.
2. Select Programs > Programs and Features.
3. Select Google Drive

Mac

1. If the Google Drive icon is still visible in the Menu Bar, click it and select Quit.
2. Open the Applications folder and drag the Google Drive application to the trash.
3. Removing the Google Drive application will not remove files or folders. Those will have to be deleted separately.

Removing the Google Drive app from mobile devices

To delete the Google Drive app from a phone or tablet, follow these steps:

Android

1. Open Google Play or the Play Store app.
2. Press the Menu icon (three horizontal bars) and select My Apps.
3. Under Installed, select Google Drive.
4. Press Uninstall

iOS

1. Hold down the Google Drive app icon until it begins to wiggle.
2. Press the “x” to delete it.

Files that have been downloaded to the device from Google Drive will not be automatically deleted from the device. In addition, uninstalling Google Drive will not impact the operation of the Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides apps.