How to Hide Your Google Docs Version History (2024)

By default, Google Docs saves your version history as you work on a document. This allows you to track the changes you’ve made and return to an earlier version of the document if you need to.

When you share a Google document, others can view its version history, which might reveal changes you'd prefer to keep private. We’ll guide you on how to address this concern.

How to Hide Your Google Docs Version History on Your Phone

There are two ways to hide your Google Docs version history, depending on whether the people accessing your document are viewers or editors.

The first method involves assigning "viewer" permissions. By making people viewers in your Google Docs, you can hide its version history. However, this method is effective only if they won’t be collaborating on the document. To do this:

1. Open a document in the Google Docs app.
2. Tap the three dots in the top-right.
3. Select the Share & export option.

In the Share & export menu, change the following settings:

1. Tap Manage people and links on Android. If you’re on an iPhone, tap Manage access.
2. Under General access, tap Anyone with the link, then tap Editor beneath it and select Viewer. If Viewer is already selected, leave it as is.

And there you go. This should make viewers of your document unable to alter your document or view your version history.

The second way is to make a copy of your document. If you intend to collaborate on a Google document and want to hide the edits, consider sharing a copy instead. Here’s how to do it on a mobile device:

1. Tap the three dots in the top-right of your document.
2. Select Share and export.
3. Tap Make a copy. The copy is created instantly on an iPhone, but on Android, you’ll need to name the copy first.

After making a copy, you can share it with collaborators, knowing they won’t see your document’s version history. You can delete the original document or keep it as a reference.

How to Hide Your Google Docs Version History on a Mac or PC

The process for hiding your Google Docs version history is the same across Mac, PC, and mobile devices. You can either set the access level of people to viewer or create a copy of your document. Here’s how to do both on a Mac and PC.

Make People Viewers in Your Google Docs

The following steps will allow you to hide your Google Docs version history on a Mac or PC:

1. Open your document in Google Docs.
2. Click Share at the top-right of your document.
3. Under General access > click Editor > select Viewer.

If you've shared your document with specific people, you can restrict them individually.

Make a Copy of Your Google Docs

To make a copy of your Google Docs on a Mac or PC:

1. Open your document in Google Docs.
2. Click File in the Google Docs menu.
3. Select Make a copy.
4. Name your copy. You can also share it with the same people and copy comments and suggestions.

And that’s it. You’ve successfully hidden your document changes from collaborators. If you know how to hide your document version history, you’re on your way to using Google Docs like a pro.

Hide Your Google Docs Version History From Others

You can stop people from seeing what you change in your Google document in multiple ways, so you don't have to worry.

If you’re sharing a document with non-collaborators, make them viewers to prevent them from accessing your version history. If you’re sharing a document with collaborators, you can make your edits and then share a copy. With these methods, your version history is safe from the eyes of others.