UC Drive (UC网盘, drive.uc.cn) is a cloud storage service developed by UC Mobile Limited under Alibaba Group. It is built on the UC Browser platform and provides file storage, backup, cross-device synchronization, sharing, and online preview and editing capabilities across web, mobile, desktop, and TV clients.
UC Drive has an unusual history among Chinese cloud storage services. The original service was discontinued on April 15, 2016, with all upload services, offline cloud saving, and video transcoding terminated. It was later relaunched around late 2018 with a restructured offering. The relaunched version gives new users 10 GB of default storage. Super Members can upgrade to up to 6 TB of storage along with dedicated high-speed channels, file vault access, and document editing.
One feature that distinguishes UC Drive from other Chinese cloud storage services is the Transfer Station, a temporary storage area separate from the main Cloud Drive. Files in the Transfer Station are retained for a set period before expiring, and can be moved to permanent storage before that deadline.
UC Drive requires a Chinese phone number to register, and accessing the service requires a Chinese IP address for stable connections. Purchasing a Super Member plan also requires a Chinese payment method such as Alipay or WeChat Pay.
UC网盘
| Developer | UC Mobile Limited (Alibaba Group) |
| Platform | Web, Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, TV |
| Launched | Relaunched late 2018 (original: pre-2016) |
| Registration | Required (Chinese Phone Number) |
| Website | drive.uc.cn |
| Feature | Free User | Super Member |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud Drive Storage | 10 GB | Up to 6 TB |
| Download Speed | Standard | Dedicated high-speed channel |
| Online Document Editing | No | Yes |
| File Version History | No | Yes |
| File Vault | No | Yes |
| Cross-Device Sync | Yes | Yes |
Note: Storage capacity and membership pricing are subject to change. Super Member status can also be obtained through official promotional activities and events.
The Transfer Station (中转站) is a temporary file storage area built into UC Drive that operates separately from the main permanent Cloud Drive. It is designed primarily as a staging area for files downloaded via UC Browser's offline download feature, where the server fetches remote files on the user's behalf and holds them before the user transfers them to permanent storage.
Files saved to the Transfer Station are retained for a set period, after which they are automatically deleted by the server. Users can extend the retention window or move files to the permanent Cloud Drive before the deadline to keep them indefinitely. This retention model differs from other Chinese cloud storage services, which typically store files permanently unless manually deleted.
The Transfer Station is especially useful in combination with UC Browser's offline download capability. Users submit a download link to UC's servers, which download the resource in the background and save it to the Transfer Station without requiring the user's device to stay active or consume mobile data. The file then appears in the Transfer Station ready for transfer to the main Cloud Drive.
UC Drive provides standard cloud storage functions alongside several capabilities tied to the broader UC ecosystem. Files can be uploaded, downloaded, and shared via shareable links. Recipients of a share link can view, download, or save shared files to their own UC Drive account.
UC Drive supports in-browser reading, image browsing, and music playback using HTML5, enabling users to access file content without downloading. Super Members can edit documents online with changes synced across devices and saved to version history.
The service uses distributed storage architecture with files split across multiple servers for reliability. Downloads support multi-threaded transfers for improved speed, with resume-from-breakpoint and segmented upload support for large files. UC Drive leverages UC Browser's network acceleration with intelligent path optimization for stable transmissions.
Super Members have access to a dedicated file vault for sensitive content, protected by additional authentication. All files use multi-layer encryption during both transmission and storage. File version history allows Super Members to restore earlier versions of files after edits or accidental changes.
UC Drive includes a dedicated TV Edition client, allowing media stored in the cloud to be played back on television screens. The TV client was updated to version 2.4.997 in January 2026.
UC Drive announced the termination of its storage services on April 15, 2016. All upload services, offline resource saving to cloud drive, and video transcoding were shut down. This made UC Drive one of several Chinese cloud storage services to exit the market around 2015 to 2016, a period when many competitors concluded that free unlimited storage was not a sustainable model.
UC Drive relaunched approximately two years after its discontinuation with a restructured service model. The relaunched product included storage space, download services, file upload, video playback, and cloud collection features. New users received default free storage with optional paid membership tiers. The relaunch aligned with a broader period in which cloud storage services in China moved toward sustainable subscription-based models.
In early 2025, consumer complaints emerged regarding allegedly deceptive auto-renewal membership practices, with some users reporting enrollment in recurring billing without clear notification. Later in 2025, users also reported online video playback issues including loading failures and stuttering, as well as login failures on both desktop and mobile clients. The video and login issues were attributed to potential causes including unstable network conditions, cache anomalies, or account status problems.
UC Drive Classic Edition updated to version 1.5.2 in November 2025. The TV Edition updated to version 2.4.997 in January 2026.
BAIDUDL supports downloading files from UC Drive. If you have a UC Drive share link, you can use our service to download the files directly, no Chinese phone number, account, or VPN required.
Simply choose a plan that fits your file size, enter your UC Drive link, decryption key, and email into the form, choose a payment method, and pay. We will process the files on your behalf and deliver them to your email with a secure, high-speed download link. Our how-to guide walks through the full process step by step.
UC网盘
| Developer | UC Mobile Limited (Alibaba Group) |
| Platform | Web, Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, TV |
| Launched | Relaunched late 2018 |
| Registration | Required (Chinese Phone Number) |
| Website | drive.uc.cn |