How to set up and use Google Drive on your Mac
Google Drive has feature-rich mobile and tablet apps, and it’s available on desktop platforms, including Windows and Mac. Google Drive desktop apps come with useful features like files on-demand, offline files, robust Finder and File Explorer integration, and the ability to sync with your local folders. Your Google Drive experience isn’t limited to iPhone andAndroid phones. You can access all your files on your work setup. Continue reading to learn everything about setting up and using Google Drive on Mac.
Google Drive makes it easy to save all of your important documents and images to the cloud
Download and set up Google Drive on Mac
Google Drive isn’t available from the Mac App Store. You must download the installation file from the web.
After you sign in with your Google account details, the Drive icon appears in the menu bar. Click the Google Drive app icon in the Mac menu bar to check the Drive activities, notifications, storage, and access app settings.
you could also access Google Drive files from the Finder app. To do so, openFinderon Mac and check Google Drive underLocationsin the left sidebar. You can glance over your Drive and other synced computers from the same menu.
Check Google Drive syncing options
There are two ways to sync your Google Drive files on Mac. You can stream files or mirror them on your Mac.
Streaming your Google Drive files allows you to check your entire Google Drive library in Finder without taking up much space on your Mac. Think twice before selecting mirror files. It downloads all your Drive files on the Mac and uses considerable device storage.
Selectively download Google Drive files on Mac
Most users should stream Google Drive on Mac and download selected files for sharing or offline use. The function is often known as files-on-demand.
The function is available for other cloud storage services like iCloud and OneDrive.
Launch Google Drive at startup on macOS
You must launch Google Drive on system startup to sync the latest changes and updates. This behavior makes your Google Drive files ready to use only when you log in.
Sync your Mac folders to Google Drive
you may sync local Mac folders to Google Drive and make them accessible on all your devices.
You can also copy and move files from your local storage to a relevant folder in Google Drive and sync them in real time. It’s a neat way to free up your Mac space.
Tweak Google Photos upload size
Google Photos uploads Mac files at original quality. If you want to save space on your Google account, store photos at a slightly reduced quality.
Use the Google Drive hotkey on Mac
Google Drive offers a nifty hotkey to search for files and folders quickly. Press theCommand+Option+Gkeys to open the Google Drive search bar. You can configure the hotkey from Drive settings.
Change Google Drive sync settings
You can temporarily pause Google Drive syncing if you work with limited internet bandwidth on your Mac. You can also set download and upload rate limits in Drive settings.
Organize Google Drive folders in Mac Finder
Google Drive integrates with the default Finder menu on Mac. If you regularly open the My Drive or a specific folder in Finder, pin it as a favorite for easy access. you’re able to also assign a tag and check it from the Tagsmenu.
For example, assign Google Docs files under a blue tag, Sheets under a green tag, and media files under a red tag and check them without messing with Drive folders.
Generate sharing links for Google Drive files on Mac
you’re able to generate a Google Drive folder or file link or tweak the sharing permission from the Finder menu on Mac.
Manage your Google Drive files like a pro
Downloading Google Drive to your Mac gives you access to cloud storage and sharing abilities. It comes with 15GB of free space, which is divided between Google Photos and Gmail. If you run out of Google Drive space and don’t want to upgrade to a Google One plan, check our dedicated tutorial tofree up your Drive storage in no time.
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