Integrate Google Drive to Microsoft Teams Properly

People often ask me whether it is possible to add Google Drive to Teams. Yes, you can access your Drive files in Teams. There is no native integration. The only way to do that is by linking Google Drive or accessing files indirectly through Microsoft Teams. This article will help you link your Google Drive to MS Teams in simple steps.

Google Drive and Microsoft Teams are two different tools. MS Teams is a Microsoft application that works closely with its own cloud storage: OneDrive and SharePoint Online.

Google Drive is Google’s cloud storage. Therefore, you cannot directly connect Google Drive to Teams, files do not automatically appear in Teams channels, and file permissions are not managed through Teams.

What Happens When You Add Google Drive to MS Teams?

When we say add Google Drive to Teams, it doesn’t mean full file synchronization, managing Google Drive folders in Teams, or replacing OneDrive storage.

In reality, it means that users want to access Google Drive files while working in Teams, sharing their Google Drive documents with team members, and opening Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides from Teams.

Manually Connect Google Drive to Teams

MS Teams provides a feature called “Add Cloud storage” to connect Google Drive. But, in recent updates, users can directly add their Google Drive to MS Teams from the desktop app or web browser.

1. Open the MS Teams desktop app or web app.
2. Click on the Apps option in the left sidebar.
3. Find and select the Google Drive option.
4. Click the Add button, and on the sign-in page, provide your Google account details.
5. After that, your Google Drive will be connected, and you will find your files under the Files section of your personal app list.

Share Google Drive File Links to Team Channels

Sometimes users need to share individual files in chats. For this, you can share file links or upload them in Teams channel.

1. To share the file, you have to first generate a shareable link. To do that, choose the file or folder you want to share.
2. Click on the Share button and change the access setting to Anyone with the link.
3. Copy the link and paste it into the Teams chat or channel message.
4. To upload the files, download your documents to your local computer.
5. Easily upload them to your desired Teams channel or chat.

Uploading the file creates a separate copy in your OneDrive or SharePoint. So, this method does not sync Google Drive to another.

Add Google Drive to Teams Mobile App

Adding Google Drive to the Teams mobile app is simple. Whether you use Android or iOS, the following steps are the same.

1. Open the MS Teams app on your mobile and click on the More button (three horizontal lines). Select the Apps icon.
2. Find Google Drive and select it. Click on the Add or Install option.
3. Sign in to your Google account and follow the instructions to connect your account.

Problems with Manual Methods

The above methods help you to add Google Drive to Teams. But they are good for individual users. If professionals or enterprises use the manual methods, they will get the following issues.

• By sharing the Drive files, you will have two separate copies in the Google and Microsoft environments, which can create confusion among the members.
• Manually linking Google Drive does not sync Shared Drive permissions with Teams member permissions. So, users often face Access Denied errors.
• You are not able to use Word, Excel, or PowerPoint for co-authoring. Also, you should always use the browser version of Google Drive for sharing files.
• Many admins restrict the Add Cloud Storage feature for security reasons.

Therefore, it is difficult for professionals or businesses to connect the Google Drive to MS Teams. However, if you move the Drive files to the Microsoft ecosystem, then you can easily share your data.

Share Google Drive Files to Microsoft Teams for Professional Users

If you are facing the above issues, then try SysTools Google Drive to OneDrive Migration Tool, a professional software that can easily transfer your entire Google Drive data with proper permissions. The utility can bulk migrate files and also lets you apply a date filter to move selective data.

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Instructions to Use Professional Software

1. Download the tool on your computer. Then, select G Suite and Office 365 as the source and destination, respectively.
   
2. Click on the Document option and enable the Migrate document permission button.
   
3. Provide the details of both the  G Suite account and the Microsoft 365 account. Make sure they are valid.
   
4. Fetch user accounts automatically or import them manually. Lastly, click on the Start Migration button.
   

Summary

By using these workarounds, users are able to add Google Drive to MS Teams. Although there is no native option, the above methods can help you access the Drive files in Microsoft Teams. Remember, these workarounds have some limitations that you must know about. Lastly, I have provided a professional software that can help you move your Drive files into the Microsoft environment.

Common Queries Asked By Users

Q. Can Microsoft Teams use Google Drive instead of OneDrive?
Ans. Primarily, MS Teams uses OneDrive. But you can make Google Drive a secondary storage. For this, go to the Files option in Teams. Click on Add cloud storage and then Google Drive.

Q. Can Teams users collaborate on Google Drive documents?
Ans. Yes, MS Teams users can collaborate on Google Drive documents by sharing document links in Teams chats.

Q. Is Google Docs editable in Teams?
Ans. Yes, you can, but it is not supported natively. Teams works within the Microsoft environment. You can make your Docs editable by sharing the link with appropriate permissions.

Read Also:

• What is the Difference Between Google Meet and Teams?
• How to Add Google Calendar to Microsoft Teams?
• How to Create Google Forms in Teams?