Protect a link with a password or an expiration date

You can protect a share link in two ways: ask visitors for a password, or make the link stop working after a date you choose. Both options are in Link settings. If Password protect or Link expiration is marked Upgrade, your plan doesn't include it.

#Add a password

1. Right-click the file or folder and choose Share.

2. Click Copy link, then Manage.

   Once the item has a link, the gear icon at the top of the Share dialog also opens Link settings.

3. Turn on Password protect and type the password.

4. Click Save.

   

Link settings saved confirms the change. Send the password to your recipients separately from the link, for example by phone or in another message.

You are never asked for the password when you open your own link.

#What visitors see

Visitors are asked for the password before anything opens. A wrong password shows Password is not valid. After 10 wrong attempts on the same link, or 30 from the same network, within 15 minutes, Too many attempts. Try again later. appears and they must wait before trying again.

#Set an expiration date

1. In the Share dialog, open Link settings: Copy link, then Manage.

2. Turn on Link expiration.

3. Under Link is valid until, choose the date and time.

   It cannot be in the past.

4. Click Save.

From that moment, visitors who open the link see This link has expired. Expired links are then removed automatically: create a new link if you need to share the item again.

#If the options are disabled

Password protection and link expiration depend on your plan. When your plan does not include them, they are dimmed and marked Upgrade, and you cannot change them.

#Related