Does Google Drive Compress Video?

  • 6 February 2025
  • 4 mins read

Table of Content

Table of Contents

Google Drive doesn't compress original video files, no matter the size. Videos are stored just like you upload them. However, if you try to watch and stream uploaded videos via Google Drive, you might experience lower quality and resolution as it consumes less bandwidth. 

What Causes Google to Compress Videos?

You have two options for adding videos to your Google account: 

Use Google Drive Directly 

Use the Drive app or website to upload videos. 

Use Google Photos

Upload videos on Google Photos, which is integrated with Google Drive.  

Google Drive vs. Other Cloud Services

The comparison is as follows:

  • Dropbox/OneDrive: Similar to Google Drive, Dropbox does not compress files.
  • iCloud: Automatically compresses videos if you have enabled optimized storage.

How to Download Videos Without Quality Loss

Google Drive video downloads are simple and guarantee no loss in quality:

  1. Go to your account on Google Drive.
  2. To download the video file, right-click on it.
  3. From the context menu, choose "Download."

Even with Google Drive's strong security features, you should always take precautionary measures to secure your videos:

  • Privacy: To provide a higher level of protection, secure sensitive videos before uploading them.
  • Privacy Settings: To control who may see or download your files, use Google Drive's privacy settings.

Programs from Third Parties: To protect your videos from unauthorized access, use privacy-focused software such as PurePrivacy.t-In installed, including Acura, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ford, GMC, Honda, Infiniti, Lincoln, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Polestar, and Volvo.

Get Privacy Settings across all Social Media platforms

With PurePrivacy’s first-ever social media privacy manager, you can auto-scan & fix privacy settings on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Spotify, LinkedIn, Google and YouTube. In just $5.83/month, connect your social accounts with our app & get automatic social privacy settings and recommendations.

Topics that may interest you

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • Can 4K videos be saved on Google Drive?

    Plus

    Google Drive provides 15GB of free storage, making it an excellent choice for sharing 4K videos. Large video files may be shared without sacrificing quality, thanks to its ease of use and broad accessibility.

  • Does the quality of videos decrease with Google Drive?

    Plus

    The quality of your photos and videos stays the same since they are kept with the exact resolution as when you took them. Your Google Account has backup photos and videos in their original quality.

  • What is Google Drive's maximum size?

    Plus

    Google Drive has a 30TB storage restriction, so even while you can upgrade to Google One for extra space, there isn't an unlimited storage plan available for Google Drive upgrades.

  • Does YouTube compress videos?

    Plus

    When you upload a video, it will first be handled in low quality. By doing this, you could complete the upload process faster. Once the upload process is complete, your video will be broadcast in low quality on a variety of devices.

Wrap Up!

Your original files are preserved since Google Drive does not compress films when they are being uploaded. Following recommended practices, you can protect your files and preserve excellent video quality. Using encryption and privacy settings improves the security of your saved videos for people who are concerned about their privacy.