How to Disconnect Apps from Google Drive

Google Drive is a popular cloud-based document storage platform that enables users to store, organize, and share files, so they can collaborate on projects with colleagues and clients. It comes with several security features to protect your organization’s data. However, the data may still be vulnerable to leaks and breaches due to the third-party apps and integrations connected to Google Drive.

Fortunately, you can safeguard your data in Google Drive and protect your organization from leaks and breaches. The key is to remove app access to Google Drive by disconnecting unnecessary or untrustworthy apps.

This guide will show you how to remove Google Drive access for third-party apps in four easy ways:

How to Disconnect Apps from Google Drive as a User

Individual users can revoke app access from Google Drive, as long as the account belongs to them.

Step 1.

Go to Google Drive on the web and log into your account.

Step 2.

Click on the gear icon at the top of the page and select Settings.

Step 3.

A new page will now open. In the left navigation, click Manage apps.

Step 4.

Now you will see all the apps connected to your Google Drive.

In Google Drive, remove app access by clicking on Options for each app that you no longer need, use, or trust and then clicking on Disconnect from Drive.

Step 5.

An on-screen pop-up will ask you to confirm the disconnect.

Click on Disconnect if you’re sure that you want to revoke the app’s access to Google Drive and your data.

If you also want to delete hidden data, check the Also delete of hidden app data created by this app box.

Remember: You can only disconnect apps from Google Drive via a desktop web browser. There’s no way to do this from the Google Drive mobile app (Android or iOS).

How to Disconnect Apps from Google Drive as an Administrator

Administrators can also disconnect third-party apps from Google Drive. There are three ways to do this:

Method 1: Using Google Workspace admin account

You can revoke access and/or delete the app from your Google Workspace account with your Google Workspace admin console. Follow these steps:

Step 1.

Go to admin.google.com and log in with your admin credentials.

Step 2.

Select Apps and click Google Workspace Marketplace apps.

Step 3.

Select an app you want to disconnect or for which you want to revoke access to your data.

Disconnecting will delete the app from Google Drive while revoking access will stop it from accessing your Google Drive.

Method 2: Using a security policy] 

Admins can also revoke the access of third-party apps to Google Drive and prevent these apps from accessing company data by setting up a security policy. You can easily set up a policy for many apps simultaneously with SpinOne. Here’s how

Step 1.

Log in to your SpinOne for Google Workspace account.

Step 2.

Select Security Policies.

Step 3.

Select Blocklist & Allowlist within App Policy.

Step 4.

Create a blocklist policy and specify the scope (for all Google Workspace users, specific User/Drive, Organization Unit, User Shared Drive & Organization Unit).

Step 5.

Specify the conditions under which policy is enacted (e.g., the app’s security score is less than 50); in the Actions section, select Add to Blocklist.

Step 6.

Click Next to check and confirm a new policy’s Summary.

The advantage of this method is that you’ll only need to set up a security policy once. Also, after the policy is in place, SpinOne will automatically prevent dangerous SaaS apps from accessing your data in Google Drive.

Method 3: With SpinOne for Google Workspace

SpinOne for Google Workspace is designed to protect your Google Workspace data from leaks, breaches, ransomware, and other threats. You can also remove third-party access from Google Drive with this tool via this simple procedure:

Step 1.

Log in to your SpinOne for Google Workspace account.

Step 2.

Select Risk Assessment to find the list of apps and their risk scores.

Step 3.

Select the app you want to remove

Step 4.

Select Blocklist and add the app to a blocklist. This action will prevent it from accessing your Google Drive and other Google Workspace services.

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Conclusion

Data breaches can be catastrophic for your organization. To avoid their devastating impact, you need to take proactive data protection steps. One step should be to disconnect untrusted, unsafe, or unnecessary apps connected to your Google Drive.

SpinOne offers an easy way to do this. This powerful, AI-enabled security platform allows Google Workspace admins to identify unsafe apps and quickly disconnect them from Google Drive to protect the organization from data leaks, data losses, ransomware, insider threats, and compliance risks.

Want to see SpinOne in action? Click here for a free trial.

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