Why Are You Receiving Request for Access Emails?
If you use Google Drive for business or education, you likely share document links frequently. If you send a restricted link to someone who does not have permission to view it, Google Drive will prompt them to click an “Request Access” button. This immediately sends an automated email to your inbox asking you to approve their request.
While useful for tight security, these emails can quickly flood your inbox if you accidentally distribute a restricted link to a large mailing list. If you prefer to manage permissions manually within Google Drive rather than being bombarded by email requests, you can change the sharing settings on your files.
How to Stop Access Request Emails
To stop receiving these emails, you must change the fundamental sharing permission of the specific file or folder generating the requests.
- Open your web browser and navigate to drive.google.com.
- Locate the file or folder that is causing the email notifications.
- Right-click on the file and select Share (or click the person icon with a plus sign).
- Look at the bottom section of the Share window, under “General access.”
- By default, it will be set to Restricted (which is why people are forced to request access).
- Click the dropdown menu next to “Restricted” and change it to Anyone with the link.
- Ensure the role on the right is set to Viewer (unless you explicitly want them to be able to edit the document).
- Click Done.
By opening up the link to anyone who possesses it, users will instantly be able to view the file without encountering a permission barrier. As a result, the “Request Access” button will no longer appear for them, completely stopping the automated emails from reaching your inbox.