Attach Google Drive files in Gmail on Android

On Wednesday, Google announced the Gmail app for Android devices was receiving an update. The update includes a more robust solution for auto-completing address when composing a new message. In addition to the help its providing with your contacts, the update also includes the ability to attach Google Drive files from the compose screen.

What this means is that you no longer have to bounce around between apps while on mobile, or wait until you get back to a computer in order to share a presentation stored in your Drive. The ability to attach files in Gmail from Google's own storage service is long overdue.

The attachment process is incredibly simple and should feel somewhat familiar if you've used the Gmail app to attach locally stored files in the past. Let's take a look at how it works.

After updating the Gmail app to the latest version, launch the app and compose a new message. Tap on the menu icon in the upper-right corner, where you will then select "Insert from Drive" from the list of options.

An interface for selecting files from your Drive account will then be displayed. Highlight the file you'd like to attach and tap on the "Select" button. You will then be directed back to the Gmail app where you can view the file is indeed attached. You'll need to repeat the process if you'd like to share multiple files.

Gmail is smart enough to recognized the share settings for each attached Drive file and prompt you should you need to alter the settings. Once your share settings are fine-tuned, the email is sent with the attached Drive file.

Easy enough, right?