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8 Best Ways to Fix Google Drive Incomplete Upload on Android
Competitors like OneDrive and Dropbox have failed to make a dent in Google Drive’s popularity. Google Drive excels in almost every aspect, except for its upload speeds. Occasionally, users may encounter incomplete uploads on Google Drive for Android. Fortunately, there are troubleshooting methods available.
You may notice a persistent notification on your Android device from Google Drive prompting you to upload a file. However, the upload process may fail to complete within the expected timeframe. This can be problematic, particularly when attempting to share a large file with others online.
Several factors can contribute to the incomplete upload of files on Google Drive for Android. In this article, we will explore these factors and provide solutions to address them.
1. Check Google Drive Status
Similar to any internet service, Google Drive occasionally experiences outages. You can check the status of Google Drive on the Google Workspace dashboard.
Alternatively, go to downdetector and search for Google Drive. If you notice tall outrage spikes reported by users, it’s an issue from Google. Stop the uploading process on Google Drive and wait for Google to fix the issue.
2. Force Stop Google Drive Upload Process
This advice is useful when uploading large files to Google Drive. If your upload is stuck due to a slow or unreliable internet connection, force stop the process and try again. To do this, long-press the Google Drive icon, open the app info menu, and tap on Force stop to close all Google Drive-related activities.
Try uploading the same file again and make sure to use a fast internet connection. That brings us to a third point.
3. Use Fast Internet Connection
If you have limited internet bandwidth, you may encounter the Google Drive incomplete upload error on Android. Use a 5GHz Wi-Fi frequency, rather than 2.4GHz, for faster internet speeds. You can use apps like Speedtest to check the current upload speeds.
4. Uninstall Updates
Google Drive incomplete upload on Android might be due to a buggy build on your phone. You can update Google Drive from the Google Play Store app. If there is no new update, uninstall the current build. Here’s how:
Step 1: Long-press on the Google Drive app icon and open the info menu.
Step 2: Tap on the three-dot menu at the top.
Step 3: Select Uninstall updates and confirm.
Google Drive offers the option to disable file upload over mobile data. However, if you use mobile data to upload files on Google Drive, you will face an incomplete upload error in the notification area. Open Google Drive on Android and tap on the hamburger menu at the top. Go to Settings.
Step 3: Scroll down and disable the Transfer files only over Wi-Fi toggle. Try uploading the file again, and you are good to go.
6. Check Google Drive Storage
From June 1, 2021, Google Drive counts all Google Photos data against the free storage. It’s easy to fill up the 15GB of Drive storage. If your storage is low or full, you can pay for Google One plans or remove content to free up space.
Otherwise, you will continue to face incomplete upload errors on your Android phone.
Google Drive collects cache data in the background to load frequently accessed files faster. However, an excessive cache can cause incomplete upload errors. Here’s how to clear the Google Drive cache:
Step 1: Open Google Drive on Android and go to Settings.
Step 2: Scroll down and select Clear cache from the Documents cache menu.
Completely close the app and upload files again.
8. Give Unrestricted Data Usage
Trying to upload files on Google Drive with Data Saver mode enabled? Give unrestricted data usage to Google Drive for a flawless upload.
Long-press on Google Drive icon and open app info. Go to Mobile data & Wi-Fi and enable Unrestricted data usage. Now, Google Drive will upload files even when Data Saver mode is on.
Google Drive is preferred by users because most friends and family already have a Gmail ID, making it easy to share files among them with different permissions. However, incomplete uploads might detract from the Google Drive experience. The steps above should resolve the issue for you.
As Fred Humiston, the author behind Twothirds.us, I focus on providing practical and easy-to-follow guides and solutions for a variety of technical issues that people commonly face.
My articles cover a wide range of topics, from troubleshooting out-of-sync audio on TikTok and managing Firestick devices, to understanding the impact of Capcut on video quality and resolving sound issues on Hisense Roku TVs.
I also delve into more general tech tips, like how to block numbers on landlines or use VPNs without Wi-Fi. My goal is to make technology more accessible and less intimidating for everyone, whether you’re a tech novice or a seasoned user. I strive to offer clear, concise, and helpful advice to make your digital experience smoother and more enjoyable.