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How to configure the Google Drive Playlist to your client's account

Updated this week

Overview


Limitations

  • You can link only one platform account to each Google Drive account.

  • To use multiple Google Drive accounts within a single platform account, you must be on the Enterprise Plan.

  • The Enterprise Plan is a prerequisite to using Google Drive alongside Dropbox and OneDrive.

  • Screen content preview is not available for third-party storage playlists.


Supported File Formats

The platform supports a wide range of file formats, including image, video, and document types.


Linking Your Google Drive with the Platform

You can begin linking both a personal Google account and a Google Workspace (business) account. The process is the same.

Steps for Personal & Business Google Accounts

  1. Navigate to the Playlists section in your platform's dashboard.

  2. Click "Add Playlist" and select "Google Drive".

  3. Then, click "Link your Google Drive Account".

  4. A new tab will open where you can sign in with your personal Google account.

  5. On the following tab, you need to authorize the platform to fully access your Drive.

  6. After completing the authorization, choose any folder, including shared folders.

  7. Once the folder selection is complete, click the "Add" button to complete the playlist creation and be transferred to the playlist's settings page

Highlighted Google Drive icon initiating the pairing of the platform's playlists with a Google Drive account folder.

Selecting Google Drive as the playlist type

Selecting the preferred Google account to sign in

Authorizing the platform for complete Google Drive access by selecting all checkboxes available.

Authorizing the platform to access the Google Drive

Highlighted platform option for selecting a Google Drive folder to be linked with the platform playlist.

Selecting the Google Drive folder

Highlighted platform "Add" button for completing the Google Drive folder pairing to the platform playlist.

Completing the Google Drive Playlist creation


Google Drive Playlist Settings

After creating your playlist, you can configure the following options, under the Playlist Details (settings) page:

  • Name: Enter a clear name for your playlist.

  • Description (optional): Add internal notes or usage context.

  • Add black gap between videos: Inserts a 0.5-second black screen between videos. If disabled, videos transition seamlessly.

  • Enable Image Transitions: Adds smooth visual effects between image slides.

  • Enable Random Playback: Shuffles the playback order.

  • Default Duration for Images & Documents: Sets how long non-video content is displayed.

  • Linked Google Account: Shows the email address of the linked account.

  • Selected Folder: Displays the Google Drive folder currently synced with the playlist.

Overview of the Playlist Details page of the platform displaying various playlist-related settings for the user to configure.

Refining the Playlist settings


How to Add Content to Your Google Drive Playlist

  • You can upload your media files—images, videos, or documents—into the selected folder from your Google Drive portal.

  • For personal and business accounts, you can use any folder you’ve selected during the playlist's setup.

Files will play in alphabetical order, as long as the option of Random Playback (from within the "Playlist Details" [settings] page) is not enabled.


Syncing Files

The player will sync updates automatically after adding or removing content in the Google Drive. Syncing takes up to 5 minutes, but only after the folder has been inactive (no file changes) for at least 5 minutes.

Moreover, updates made through the Google Drive account on the Google Drive Playlist will automatically appear on the screen(s). You do not need to select "Push to screens," as the changes are automatically pushed, similar to how it works with OneDrive and Dropbox Playlists.

Limit rapid file changes

Avoid making rapid file changes if you want the player to update quickly.


Assigning a Google Drive Playlist to Screens

Once you have set up one or more Google Drive playlists, you can assign them to one or more screens in various ways.

Assignment to a Single Screen

To assign a Google Drive playlist to a specific screen, you can:

  1. Option 1: Click the three vertical dots icon on the right of each playlist listed under the Playlists page, and select the Set to Screen option.

  2. Option 2: Navigate to the left Main Menu and select Screens.

    • Choose your preferred screen from the list.

    • Find the "Screen Content" type field and select the Playlist option.

    • A new pop-up window will appear after your selection.

    • Enter your playlist name and choose your preferred screen fitting option:

      • Fit: display content in the assigned area, (addition of space or black bars).

      • Crop: zoom in to cover the area, (possible cropping and distortion).

      • Stretch: fill the area by stretching content (possible distortion).

    • Afterwards, select the playlist name from the drop-down menu and click OK.

    • Click on the Save button in the top-right corner of the page.

You can push the changes to your screens for immediate effect.

Assignment to Multiple Screens

To assign a playlist to multiple screens through a bulk edit, you can:

  1. Select two or more screens from the Screens list page, located inside the Left Main Menu.

  2. Click on the Actions button.

  3. Select the Edit option.

  4. The Bulk changes to Screens pop-up window appears, where you need to select the Basic tab.

  5. Afterwards, enable the Set Value toggle button corresponding to the Screen Content field.

  6. Since the Screen Content field is now editable, choose your preferred playlist option to assign it to all the previously selected screens.

  7. Finally, click on the Save button in the bottom-right corner of the pop-up window.

You can push the changes to your screens for immediate effect.

Platform illustration of the first method of assigning a Google Drive playlist to a single screen.

Single screen assignment (1)

Platform illustration of the second method of assigning a Google Drive playlist to a single screen.

Single screen assignment (2)

Platform illustration of the bulk method of assigning a Google Drive playlist to multiple screens.

Multiple screens assignment.


Editing a Google Drive Playlist

To edit the settings of an existing Google Drive playlist on our platform, proceed with the following steps:

  • Locate the playlist you want to modify from the list.

  • Click the three-dot icon at the end of the playlist's row.

  • Select the Edit option.

Illustration of the three-dot icon that a platform user can click to edit a Google Drive playlist.

Editing the settings of a Google Drive Playlist


Wrapping Up

The platform's Google Drive Playlist makes it easy to display and update content directly from your Google Drive. Just link your account, choose a folder, and upload your media. The platform handles the rest with automatic syncing and flexible playback options.


F.A.Q.

Got questions? We've got answers! This section addresses common questions about Google Drive Playlists.

1. Can I use shared folders from Google Drive in my playlist?

Yes. The platform fully supports shared folders for personal and business (Google Workspace) accounts. During the setup, simply select any folder—shared or individual—from your Google Drive. The playlist will sync content from the selected folder regardless of its ownership.

2. What happens if I delete a file from my Google Drive Playlist folder?

If you remove a file from the linked Google Drive folder, it will automatically disappear from your screens after the next sync cycle. The sync process typically begins after 5 minutes of folder inactivity, and updates are pushed to screens without needing to log into the platform.

3. What happens if I unlink my Google Drive account from the platform?

If you unlink your Google Drive account, any playlists using files from that Drive will stop working and display an error. Make sure to re-link the account or replace the content with local files or another source before removing access.

4. Can I link multiple Google Drive accounts to one platform account?

Yes, but only if you're on the Enterprise Plan. This allows you to manage content from multiple Google Drive accounts, alongside other storage integrations like Dropbox and OneDrive.

5. If I edit a Google Sheet or Doc file, will I see it updated on my screen?

Unfortunately, that's not the case. Just like all the third-party playlists we have, editing any type of document won't trigger an update on the screen. To see the updated content, you'll need to re-upload the document file to the folder.

6. How about Google Slides Files?

Due to technical reasons, we do not support Google Slides files. However, please upload or convert them into a .pptx file, and they will work correctly. Also, remember that PPTX files containing videos will not play on screen.


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