Google Drive offers notification choices for events such as new shares, mentions, and access requests. Change your own delivery preferences without altering file permissions. Turning off a notification does not remove the underlying share or complete the requested task.
Open the notification settings
On a computer, sign in to the intended Drive account and open Settings, then Settings. Select Notifications in the left panel and inspect the available choices. Google describes mobile, web, and email delivery for supported Drive activity.
Check the account avatar first if you use multiple profiles. A change in a personal account does not configure your work account’s preferences.
Choose the events you need
Enable or disable the relevant boxes according to your workflow. Google’s examples include someone sharing a file or folder, mentioning you in a comment or action item, or requesting access to a file you own.
Individual Docs, Sheets, Slides, or Drawings files can also have their own notification controls. Do not assume one general Drive preference replaces every product-specific rule. Google’s guide also says settings may need adjustment on each computer where you use Drive.
Verify delivery separately from access
After a suitable real event, check whether the chosen channel behaves as intended. For browser or phone alerts, device-level notification permission can be an additional condition. Avoid sending artificial confidential shares merely to test a checkbox. If email alerts remain absent, inspect the relevant mailbox and organizational delivery controls. Keep access requests and review deadlines in an appropriate work process even when alerts are reduced. Notification preferences manage how you hear about events; they do not establish whether a collaborator can open the file or whether an approval has been granted.
References
Reviewed against the linked official product guidance on November 3, 2026. Features, limits, screen labels, and access can vary by account, platform, region, and organization policy.