This is something I’ve personally been waiting for for a long time. Google Drive is making it easier to find your files by letting you choose the filetype, who it was created by and what software it can be opened by.
Regardless of what device your files came from, you can search for a file type on Android, iOS or the web. You can also perform the advanced searched from the search box, access recent files or search Drive from your iOS home screen with 3D Touch. You can also search using the iOS search box without opening the app.
Yes.
Here’s what the team had to say about it:
Several behind-the-scenes improvements give your search queries even better results than they did before. And to get more specific results, anyone can now do the following:
– Search for shared files by file owner using their name or email address.
– Use advanced search options like the date a file was modified, words it contains, or who it was shared with.This is all part of an ongoing effort to make Drive the easiest place to find your files. Look for these features as they roll out in the coming weeks.
Disrupt 2026: The tech ecosystem, all in one room
Your next round. Your next hire. Your next breakout opportunity. Find it at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, where 10,000+ founders, investors, and tech leaders gather for three days of 250+ tactical sessions, powerful introductions, and market-defining innovation. Register now to save up to $400.
Save up to $300 or 30% to TechCrunch Founder Summit
1,000+ founders and investors come together at TechCrunch Founder Summit 2026 for a full day focused on growth, execution, and real-world scaling. Learn from founders and investors who have shaped the industry. Connect with peers navigating similar growth stages. Walk away with tactics you can apply immediately
Offer ends March 13.
These types of advanced search features are something that services like Dropbox, Box and UpThere sorely lack. Since Google has the data and is pretty damn good at search (ha), this is a long long time coming.
