---
title: "File Storage API"
url: "https://docs.unified.to/storage/overview"
description: "API reference for File Storage API. Launch multiple pre-built File Storage integrations today with zero maintenance — all through a single API."
generated_at: "2026-06-16T20:55:07.833Z"
---
# File Storage API

The Unified Storage API enables developers and product managers to access cloud storage data from multiple platforms through a single, standardized interface. Retrieve and manage files from Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, Box, and other major cloud storage platforms - all with one API.

## [What is the Unified Storage API?](#what-is-the-unified-storage-api)

Cloud storage platforms like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive each have unique APIs with different authentication methods and data models. The Unified Storage API normalizes these differences, allowing you to build once and support all major cloud storage platforms without maintaining separate integrations.

## [Storage Data Objects](#storage-data-objects)

The Storage API provides access to the following standardized objects:

* **Files**: Documents, folders, images, and file metadata

## [Common Use Cases](#common-use-cases)

### [Contract Management Systems](#contract-management-systems)

Build contract lifecycle management tools that access contracts stored across multiple cloud storage platforms. Track contract versions, expiration dates, and approval workflows by accessing files from Google Drive, Dropbox, SharePoint, or any supported storage platform. Automatically extract contract metadata, monitor renewal dates, and ensure compliance regardless of where contracts are stored.

### [Enterprise Search](#enterprise-search)

Create enterprise search solutions that index and search documents across all cloud storage platforms. Build unified search interfaces that find files, contracts, presentations, and documents stored in Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, Box, or other platforms from a single search query. Enable employees to discover content across their organization's entire cloud storage ecosystem.

### [Document Management Systems](#document-management-systems)

Build document management tools that work with any cloud storage platform. Access, organize, and manage files from Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive through a single interface.

### [Backup & Sync Tools](#backup-sync-tools)

Create backup and synchronization tools that work across multiple cloud storage providers. Sync files between different platforms or create multi-cloud backup solutions.

### [Collaboration Tools](#collaboration-tools)

Build collaboration software that integrates with customers' existing cloud storage. Access shared files, track changes, and manage document permissions across multiple storage platforms.

### [Content Aggregation](#content-aggregation)

Aggregate content from multiple cloud storage accounts. Build search tools that find files across Google Drive, Dropbox, and other platforms, or create unified file browsers.

### [AI Document Processing](#ai-document-processing)

Build AI tools that process documents from any cloud storage platform. Extract text, analyze images, or generate insights from files stored in Google Drive, Dropbox, or other platforms.

## [Working with Hierarchical Data in File Storage APIs](#working-with-hierarchical-data-in-file-storage-apis)

File Storage integrations typically organize data in a hierarchical (tree-like) structure. For detailed guidance on traversing hierarchical data, refer to our guide: [How to traverse hierarchical data](https://docs.unified.to/guides/working%5Fwith%5Fhierarchical%5Ftree%5Fdata%5Fin%5Fstorage%5Fmessaging%5Fand%5Fkms%5Fapis)

## [The StorageFile Object](#the-storagefile-object)

Both files and folders are represented by the StorageFile object. They are distinguished by the `type` field:

* `type: "FILE"` \- Represents a file
* `type: "FOLDER"` \- Represents a folder

This means you'll use the same API endpoints to work with both files and folders, just with different type values.

[![Run In Postman](https://run.pstmn.io/button.svg)](https://god.gw.postman.com/run-collection/16228585-2349a087-c8bd-43e7-a6ce-80e7319e3478?action=collection%2Ffork&source=rip%5Fmarkdown&collection-url=entityId%3D16228585-2349a087-c8bd-43e7-a6ce-80e7319e3478%26entityType%3Dcollection%26workspaceId%3D0a62ef4e-9382-41f4-8a59-44c03de1e0d5)

## [Data Model](#data-model)

STORAGE data model

SVG fallback viewer

[Open SVG](/images/models/UnifiedStorage.svg)

Loading diagram...

 Share [](http://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?mini=true&url=%2Fstorage%2Foverview&title=File%20Storage%20API&summary= "Share to LinkedIn")[](http://www.twitter.com/share?url=%2Fstorage%2Foverview&text=File%20Storage%20API&summary= "Share to Twitter")[](http://www.reddit.com/submit?url=%2Fstorage%2Foverview&title=File%20Storage%20API&summary= "Share to Reddit")[](https://news.ycombinator.com/submitlink?u=%2Fstorage%2Foverview&t=File%20Storage%20API&summary= "Share to Hacker News")