How to Encrypt Files in Google Drive Step by Step in 2025

Google Drive is one of the most popular cloud storage services for personal and business data. It’s a great place to store your photos, videos, documents, and sensitive business files for convenience and backup.

It is not, however, the most secure and private way to manage your files. Despite Google's claims that it encrypts your files in transit and at rest, Google's guidelines state that it “processes” your stored data to enhance the user experience, which could mean anything from analyzing your files to using them to target you with advertising.

This implies that Google has access to your files and can view them at any time at its discretion. You cannot afford to take any risks when it comes to your sensitive data – you need to have complete control over it.

A strategic approach to cybersecurity that integrates encryption methodologies is essential for securing data in Google Drive. Encryption ensures that even if attackers gain access to stored files, they remain unreadable without the decryption key.

A study published in the International Journal for Scientific Research analyzed encryption technology for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). The research found that encrypting files before uploading them to Google Drive significantly enhances security. Businesses handling confidential documents, financial records, or personal data should implement encryption tools like AxCrypt to protect their files.

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AxCrypt automatically encrypts files within folders on your local computer and then synchronizes them with your Google Drive account. This ensures that only you have the absolute access to encrypt and decrypt the files before they’re uploaded. AxCrypt for cloud storage provides an additional layer of security beyond Google’s built-in encryption.

The entire process goes through the following flow:

Steps to Automatically Encrypt Google Drive Files on Windows and Mac

STEP 1: Install and sign in to Google Drive desktop: Download Google Drive

STEP 2: Install AxCrypt and sign in or sign up: Download AxCrypt

STEP 3: Click the ‘Secure’ option from the home screen to link Google Drive encryption to AxCrypt."

STEP 4:Choose Google Drive from the list of available cloud storage options and sign in.

STEP 5:Once linked, any file you encrypt using AxCrypt will be stored securely within your Google Drive.

STEP 6:To secure a file from the selected drive, click on the desired file, and it will be encrypted.

STEP 7:To open an encrypted file, select it using the ‘Open Secured’ option, allowing you to view or edit the file temporarily.

STEP 8:To permanently decrypt a file, click the ‘Stop Secure’ option and select the file you wish to stop securing.

Steps to Encrypt Google Drive Files on Android and iOS

Watch the step-by-step video tutorial:

STEP 1: Install AxCrypt from Google Play Store or App Store and sign in or sign up.

STEP 2: Tap the ‘Secure’ button with a padlock icon and select Google Drive and sign in to your account.

STEP 3: Browse and select the files you’d like to encrypt. Tap and hold to select multiple files. Once encrypted, the file icons will change to AxCrypt’s logo, and their file extension will become .axx.

STEP 4: To view or edit a file, select it using the ‘Open Secured’ option.

STEP 5: To permanently decrypt a file, tap ‘Stop Secure’ and select the encrypted file you wish to decrypt.

AxCrypt seamlessly integrates with major cloud storage platforms, including Google Drive Encryption, OneDrive, and Dropbox, ensuring a secure cloud storage experience.

1. ☁️ Extra Layer of Cloud Security: Encryption adds an additional strong security layer to your files before they reach the Google Drive storage, providing a secured space for files and reducing the risks associated with storing data online.

2. 🔒 Data Privacy: Encrypting your files in Google Drive adds an extra layer of privacy, making sure that only authorized users with the decryption key can access the sensitive information.

3. 🛡️ Data Breach Shield: In the event of a devastating data breach or a hacking attempt, encrypted files in Google Drive are unreadable to attackers without the decryption key, saving you from unprecedented time and financial losses.

4. 📝 Compliance with Data Regulations: Encrypting your files in Google Drive helps you meet and comply to data protection regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, FERPA, and CCPA, which require safeguarding personal and sensitive data.

5. 📤 Secure File Sharing: Encrypted files allow secure sharing, ensuring only authorized recipients can access and decrypt the content.

Encryption is the first line of defense for securing sensitive files in Google Drive. Institutions like NIST, IBM, Microsoft recommend encryption to protect valuable data at rest. File security in Google Drive is a necessity, not a luxury

Selecting a robust file encryption software ensures that your Google Drive files are equipped with the powerful measures to protect your sensitive data effectively. Whether it's personal files, financial documents, or sensitive business data, encryption ensures that even if unauthorized access occurs to your Google Drive storage, your data remains unreadable and protected.