To remove a file from “Shared with me” in Google Drive, right-click it and choose Remove. That hides it from your list but keeps your access. To lose access completely, open the file’s Share settings, set your own access to Remove access, and save. To stop someone from sharing with you at all, right-click one of their files and choose Report or block > Block.
Last updated October 1, 2026. Menu names reflect Google Drive on the web; the mobile app is covered below.
Which method do you need?
| Method | Hides the file? | Removes your access? | Stops future shares? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Remove | Yes | No | No |
| Remove access | Yes | Yes | No |
| Block the owner | Yes, all their files | Yes, all their files | Yes |
None of these delete the file. Only the owner can do that, and the owner and other collaborators keep their access no matter what you do.
Method 1: Hide a file from “Shared with me”
Use this for clutter you might still want later.
- Go to drive.google.com and click Shared with me in the left sidebar.
- Right-click the file or folder. To do several at once, Ctrl-click (Cmd-click on a Mac) to select them first.
- Click Remove.
The catch: you still have access, so opening the original link or getting a new share notification puts it right back in the list.
Method 2: Remove your own access
Use this when you want the file gone for good, or when Remove doesn’t show up in the menu.
- In Shared with me, right-click the file and choose Share > Share.
- Under People with access, find your name.
- Click the role next to it (Viewer, Commenter, or Editor) and choose Remove access.
- Click Save, then confirm.
This won’t work if the file was shared with a group you belong to, with your whole organization, or with “anyone with the link.” In those cases you aren’t listed by name, so there is nothing to remove. Use Method 1 to hide it, or ask the owner to change the sharing.
Method 3: Block the person sharing with you
Best for spam shares from strangers.
- Right-click any file from that person.
- Choose Report or block > Block, then confirm.
Once blocked, they can’t share files with you, their files are hidden from your Drive, and neither of you can access the other’s files. You can also block from Gmail by opening a Drive sharing email and clicking Block the sender at the bottom. To undo it, go to Manage your Google Account > People & sharing > Blocked.
On the Google Drive mobile app
- Open the Drive app and tap the Shared tab.
- Tap the three-dot menu next to the file.
- Tap Remove to hide it, or Block [email] to block the owner.
Why can’t I remove a shared file?
- It’s inside a shared folder. Files inherit the folder’s permissions, so you have to remove the parent folder instead of the individual file.
- It’s in a shared drive. Shared drives are managed by your organization. Your access comes from your membership, so a shared drive manager has to remove you.
- You added a shortcut to My Drive. Search My Drive for the file name, delete the shortcut, and then remove it from Shared with me.
- It was shared with a group or by link. You can hide it but can’t remove access yourself (see Method 2).
Frequently asked questions
Does removing a shared file delete it for everyone?
No. Removing a file from Shared with me only affects your account. The owner and other collaborators keep their access.
Will the owner know I removed their file?
Google doesn’t send a notification when you hide a file. If you remove your own access, your name disappears from the file’s sharing list, so the owner could notice if they check.
Why does a removed file keep coming back?
Remove only hides the file. If you still have access, opening its link or getting shared on it again brings it back. Use Remove access or Block to make it stick.
Can I delete the “Shared with me” section?
No. Shared with me isn’t a folder. It’s a filtered view of every file shared with your account, so it can’t be deleted, only emptied.