No reply to a Google Drive access request does not establish that the owner rejected it. Google explains that a request may remain pending, or the owner may approve or deny it without sending a notification. Check the file itself before sending repeated requests.
Confirm what you requested
Open the original link with the same Google Account used for the request. Verify that it is the expected file, rather than a similarly named copy. The request includes your signed-in name and email address, the file details, and any explanation you supplied.
If you accidentally requested from the wrong identity, tell the owner which address should be authorized. Do not ask them to grant every account you use simply to avoid identifying the correct one.
Check access directly
Try opening the link again. An owner may have granted access without notifying you, so a missing email is not decisive. If the file still asks for access, keep the message and account details for a concise follow-up.
Search the relevant inbox for a decision, but do not assume an absent notification was lost. Notification is an option in the owner’s workflow. A Viewer or Commenter helping with a request also cannot directly grant permissions they do not control.
Follow up through an established channel
Ask the owner or project contact to review the specific pending request. Include the original link, intended address, business reason, and required role. Organizational policy may prevent the sharing even when the owner agrees. In that case, use an approved administrative route rather than a public link. Avoid repeated requests or deleting browser data as a substitute for a decision from the person authorized to grant access.
References
- Learn more about access to Google files
- Share and manage access to files and folders in Google Drive
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.