Get Instant WhatsApp Alerts When Someone Shares a Google Drive File With You
Collaboration happens in bursts, and notifications get buried. Notis delivers a direct WhatsApp message the moment someone shares a file with you, complete with context about who shared it and what permissions changed.
Trigger
File Shared (Permissions Added)
Triggers when new sharing permissions are granted to a file or folder. Uses Drive's `changes.list` endpoint with inline `permissions` in the `fields` mask so each change carries the file's current permission set provider-atomically. We diff that against `seen_permission_keys` to identify newly added grants. Drive page tokens are the primary cursor; if Drive rejects a stored token, the trigger raises `PollingTriggerError` without clearing state rather than silently re-baselining and dropping events. Limitation: truly ephemeral permissions (added and revoked between two polls without any other file modification in between) are not detected. Drive Activity API would catch those but requires an additional OAuth scope and a different payload contract.
Action
Send message
Send a text message to a whatsapp number. note: the message will reflect on the recipient's phone number only if they have texted first.
Why this helps
For neurodivergent founders juggling multiple projects, shared files often slip through the cracks. Email notifications don't register if you're in deep work, and checking permissions manually is tedious.
- React to collaboration invites immediately without email tag-checking
- Know exactly who shared what and when
- Keep collaboration momentum—don't let requests stall
- Reduce friction when team members need your input
Setup
Build it in a few focused steps.
- 1Ensure Google Drive and WhatsApp are connected to Notis.
- 2Create a new automation and instruct Notis: 'When someone shares a file with me in Google Drive, send me a WhatsApp message with their name and the file name.'
- 3Set the trigger to 'File Shared' and choose WhatsApp as your notification channel.
- 4Test by asking a teammate to share a Google Drive file with you and verify the WhatsApp message arrives.
- 5Optionally, ask Notis to include additional details like permission level or a direct link to the file.
Questions about this workflow
Will this trigger for all types of sharing, or just certain permission levels?
It triggers for new sharing permissions (editor, commenter, or viewer). The message will reflect the permission level granted.
What if someone shares a folder instead of a single file?
The automation works for both files and folders. Notis will include the folder name and tell you who shared it.
Can I filter out specific people or file types?
Yes. Mention any preferences in your automation prompt, and Notis can filter notifications based on folder, user, or file type.
When this happens · Trigger
Do this · Action
Supported Triggers and Actions
Notis builds workflows that link Google Drive to Whatsapp. A trigger fires from one place; an action lands in another.
Google Drive triggers
Whatsapp actions
Comment Added (Docs/Sheets/Slides)
Triggers when a new comment is added to Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides.
Create message template
Create a new message template for the whatsapp business account. templates must be approved by whatsapp before they can be used. templates are required for marketing messages and messages sent outside the 24-hour window.
File Created
Triggers when a new file is created in Google Drive.
Delete message template
Delete a message template from the whatsapp business account. this permanently removes the template and it cannot be recovered. only delete templates that are no longer needed.
File Deleted or Trashed
Triggers when a file is moved to trash or permanently deleted in Drive.
Get business profile
Get the business profile information for a whatsapp business phone number. this includes business details like description, address, website, and contact info.
File Shared (Permissions Added)
Triggers when new sharing permissions are granted to a file or folder. Uses Drive's `changes.list` endpoint with inline `permissions` in the `fields` mask so each change carries the file's current permission set provider-atomically. We diff that against `seen_permission_keys` to identify newly added grants. Drive page tokens are the primary cursor; if Drive rejects a stored token, the trigger raises `PollingTriggerError` without clearing state rather than silently re-baselining and dropping events. Limitation: truly ephemeral permissions (added and revoked between two polls without any other file modification in between) are not detected. Drive Activity API would catch those but requires an additional OAuth scope and a different payload contract.
Get media
Get information about uploaded media including a temporary download url. the download url is valid for 5 minutes and can be used to retrieve the actual media file. this is useful for downloading media that was sent to your whatsapp number.
File Updated
Triggers when a file's metadata or content changes in Google Drive.
Get media info
Get metadata about uploaded media without generating a download url. this is useful for checking file size, type, and hash without downloading the file. use get media if you need the actual download url.
Google Drive Changes
Triggers when changes are detected in a Google Drive.
Get message templates
Get all message templates for the whatsapp business account. templates are required for sending messages outside the 24-hour window and for marketing/utility messages.
New File Matching Query
Triggers when a new Google Drive file matches a provided query. This is the legacy query-centric trigger: it preserves Drive API query config such as ``corpora`` / ``driveId`` aliases and emits the historical ``file_matching_query`` event type. ``FileCreatedTrigger`` covers the broader "new file" case and emits ``file_created``.
Get phone number
Get details of a specific phone number associated with a whatsapp business account.
Get phone numbers
Get all phone numbers associated with a whatsapp business account (waba).
Connect any two apps with Notis in the middle.
Not just Google Drive and Whatsapp. Any combination from 985+ integrations.
When this happens · Trigger
Do this · Action
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