How to Manage Google Drive Version History

Have you heard about Google Drive version history? Follow this tutorial to learn more about version history in Google Drive. It is a tool for several purposes to check errors in documents. But still, users will not be aware of this function.

The changes in the document in Google Drive like Google Docs, sheets, and slides are called version history.

If you have been facing any Google Drive version history errors, this guide might be perfect for you as well. Let us get on with the methods you can try to manage it.

Table of Contents

How to Manage Google Drive Version History

Here are the steps to manage version history. Follow the steps to do so.

Method 1: Google Drive Version History (Keep Forever)

A lot of you might never have tried out this particular method since you might not have needed to. So, here is a little information about the version history. Google Drive deletes the older versions of your documents.

Yes, you heard it. After 30 days or 100 versions, the file gets auto-deleted. This is why you can opt with the Keep Forever option for certain files so that this rule does not apply here.

Open Google Drive through this link.
Head over your files such as PDFs, docs, Images, etc., and make a right-click.
Click File information and then click Manage Versions.

Tap on the three dots beside the version you wish to keep.
Now, click on Keep Forever.

Manage Google Drive Version History — google drive revision history limit

This version will not be deleted by Google without our knowledge.

Google Docs version History

Follow the steps to check the version history in Google Documents.

Click + New on the home page of the Google Drive application.
Click Google Docs from the list of options.

Click the three dots and click the option you want to see.

This is how you have to see the Google Docs version history.

Read How to Save Link to Google Drive

Method 2: Google Drive Restore Previous Version

As a next step, you can restore the previous version of Google Drive documents. Follow the below steps.

Open your Google Docs, Sheet, or Slides file.
Tap on the “Last Edit was 2 Hours Ago”

Now, choose the version history you want to restore and click on the Three Dots.
Tap on Restore this Version.

You can also simply select the Version history by tapping on it and clicking on the Green box that says Restore this Version.

Read How to Recover Deleted Files From Google Drive

Method 3: Delete the Version History

Here you also can choose an old one and you do not need it anymore.

As we mentioned, Google Drive auto-deletes the versions that are 30 days old and only allows 100 versions for each file. Instead of keeping these many, it is best to get rid of them manually.

Log in to your Google Drive Account
Make a right-click on the file you want to delete the version history for.
Click on Manage Versions
Choose the version you want to delete and tap on the Three Dots.
Click on Delete.

That particular version will now be deleted from that file permanently. You can do the same with other versions as well.

Read How to add Google Drive to File Explorer

How Far Back Does Version History go?

Well, any file on Google Drive will have the version history from the time it was created. Either be it Google Docs, Slides, Sheets, etc.

You can check all the versions and make the necessary edits as you like directly from Google Drive or by opening up the file on other integrated applications.

If you do not wish to share the Google Drive version history with your clients, simply make a copy of the file and share that copy. Or else you can also choose to delete it using these steps.

Tap on File on the menu bar of the document.
Click on Version History and select See Version History

How to Manage Google Drive Version History — google drive revision history limit

Now, you can choose the version you want to delete and make the changes likewise.

Read How to enable Google Drive Dark Mode on your smartphones

Why can’t I see version history in Google Docs?

If you are unable to view the version history, it is because you don’t have appropriate permission to make the changes in the document.

Confirm with the person who shared the file with you to allow you to edit the document. This is how you will have access to all the versions from the time the file was created.

Conclusion

Here we are with all you need to know about Google Drive version history and all that you can do to manage it. There are multiple options to hide the version history with the client.

The best way to be on the safest side is by simply creating a copy of the file on Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, etc. That way you no longer have to worry about any versions and you will be the owner of the file.