How to install Google Drive app (Mac)

If you have a Google account, you get 15 GB of online storage space in the cloud from Google for free. Various Google services use that storage space, such as Google Drive, Google Photos and Gmail. The Google Drive app (formerly “Backup & Sync”) saves files from your computer to the cloud. With the correct settings, the program automatically synchronizes certain folders on the computer. A backup of the files is then secured in case the computer breaks down or gets lost.

Don’t have an account yet? Read how to get one in the article ‘Create a Google account’.

Please note that you only install this on your own device and with your own Google account. Logging in for someone else with your own account is not convenient, because then all your files are accessible to the other person.

• Click the button above To download.
• The file for the installation downloads immediately.
• In the Dock, click Downloads (next to the trash can) or click the Downloads icon in Safari behind the address bar.
• Click on the file GoogleDrive.dmg.
• A window with one item appears. Double click on this.
• In the installer, click Continue.
• click on Install.
• Type the computer’s password and click Install.
• The program is installed. This may take a while.
• click on Close.

After a few moments, the Google Drive login screen will open.

• click on Login via browser.
• If you have already logged in to Google on your computer, your account is already listed. Click here.
  • If not, enter the email address and click Next one.
  • Enter the corresponding password and click Next one.
• A number of warnings will appear. Click below login.
• Close the window.

Google Drive has two options for backing up files. Choose between mirroring or streaming.

Mirror
The computer is given a special folder called ‘Google Drive (G:)’. It contains exactly the same files that are also in the cloud storage. If you delete a file, it will be gone in both places. If you edit a file from this folder, it will also be updated online as soon as there is an internet connection. Editing is therefore also possible when there is no internet for a while. The files in this special folder take up space on the computer’s hard drive as well as in the cloud.

Stream
Streaming actually does the same thing as mirroring. Also with this option the computer gets the special folder. However, it does nothing when streaming if the computer is not connected to the internet. The files do not take up space on the computer’s hard drive.

Make your choice as follows:

• Open Google Drive settings from the icon in the menu bar .
• Click on a gear icon > Preferences.
• Click on the left Google Drive.
• click on Stream files or Mirror files. We choose Mirror files.
• Click Confirm location.
• click on Save and if necessary on Restart now.

The settings are processed and a Google Drive folder is created.

Google Drive will sync and you’re good to go. This can be done via the special folder in Finder. Move files, folders, and photos to the Google Drive (G:) folder. Everything in there is automatically copied to the cloud.