Google Drive App for Mac OS X: A Comprehensive Guide

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Google Drive is a free cloud storage service that allows users to store and access their files from anywhere, at any time. This service has a dedicated app for Mac OS X, which is designed to provide seamless integration with the operating system.

The Google Drive app for Mac OS X can be downloaded directly from the Google Drive website, and it's compatible with Mac OS X 10.9 and later versions.

Google Drive offers 15 GB of free storage space, which can be used to store a variety of file types, including documents, images, videos, and more.

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Get Started

To get started with the Google Drive app for Mac OS X, you'll need to download and install it. The first time you start Google Drive, you'll have to go through a few steps to set it up.

Click Sign in With Browser to get started with Google Drive, and then select an account to continue configuring Google Drive for Desktop. You may be asked to accept notifications, so choose Allow or Don't Allow.

Credit: youtube.com, How To Set Up Google Drive On Mac ...The EASY Way!

Once you've signed in, the Google Drive icon will display in the top menu bar of your Mac. You can now use Google Drive for Desktop to store and share files across your devices.

To set up Google Drive, open the Backup and Sync from Google application and click on Get Started. Then, enter your Google Account email address and hit next. If you don't have a Google Account, you'll need to create one using the steps laid out in the Create a Google Account section.

You can continuously sync specific folders with Google Drive by selecting the Got It button. Choose the folders you want to backup, and customize the continuous sync settings as needed. For example, you can switch between backing up all files in these folders to only photos and videos.

To customize the continuous sync settings, use the Choose Folder, Change, and Network settings buttons. You can also select specific folders to sync, or choose to sync all files and folders.

Here's a quick summary of the setup process:

  1. Click Sign in With Browser to get started with Google Drive.
  2. Select an account and accept notifications (if prompted).
  3. Open the Backup and Sync from Google application and click on Get Started.
  4. Enter your Google Account email address and select the Got It button.
  5. Choose the folders you want to backup and customize the continuous sync settings.

Once you've completed these steps, Google Drive will be set up and ready to use on your Mac. You can access your Google Drive files by navigating to https://drive.google.com/drive/my-drive in any browser and clicking on Computers in the left sidebar.

Installation and Download

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To install Google Drive for Desktop on your Mac, start by launching your web browser and going to the Google Drive download page. You can find this page by navigating to google.com/drive and clicking on the "Go to drive" button.

To download Google Drive, select the "Download Drive for desktop" option. The file you'll download is called GoogleDrive.dmg, and it will be located in your downloads folder.

Once the download is complete, double-click the GoogleDrive.dmg file to open it. This will launch the installer, and you'll see the GoogleDrive.pkg file.

To begin the installation process, double-click the GoogleDrive.pkg file, and then select "Continue." From there, you'll be prompted to select "Install" and enter your system password if required.

After the installation is complete, a message will display indicating that the installation was successful. You can verify this by navigating to the Applications folder in Finder and looking for Backup and Sync from Google.

Credit: youtube.com, How to Download and Install Google Drive on Mac

Here are the steps to download and install Google Drive in a concise list:

  1. Launch your web browser and go to the Google Drive download page.
  2. Select Download Drive for desktop.
  3. Double-click the GoogleDrive.dmg file.
  4. Double-click the GoogleDrive.pkg file.
  5. Select Continue.
  6. Select Install and enter your system password if prompted.
  7. Wait for the installation to complete.

Using the App

You get 15 GB of free storage space with Google Drive, but the storage is shared by Google Drive files, Gmail messages and attachments, and Google Photos.

The Google Drive desktop application allows you to access, upload, and download files between your Mac and Google Drive. You can select which specific folders on your mac to sync and share files with other users or clients.

To install Google Drive on your Mac, you can download it from Google's website and follow the installation instructions. The Google Drive for Desktop icon gives you quick access to Google Drive, where you can see recent documents you added or updated and if cloud syncing is complete.

You can select the Google Drive for Desktop icon to access the Activity tab, where you can see recent files that have been uploaded and how much storage you're using. You can also select the Notifications tab to view messages or notifications about your files.

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Here are some key features of the Google Drive for Desktop menu bar icon:

  • Activity tab: view recent files uploaded and storage usage
  • Notifications tab: view messages or notifications about files
  • Settings (gear icon): access Preferences, Offline Files, Pause Syncing, and more
  • Preferences: customize your Google Drive options
  • Add Folder: upload, store, and sync files to Google Drive

Sharing and Syncing

Sharing files on Google Drive is a breeze. Simply select the file, press the right mouse button, and select the "Sharing" option.

To provide restricted access, you can add people by entering their email addresses and specify what they can do with your file, such as editing, viewing, or commenting. Each person will receive a notification email that you have shared the file with them.

You can also add a message to the notification email, if you'd like. Just click the "Send" button, and the files will be ready to work from any device with access to cloud storage.

If you want to share a file with anyone with the link, select the "Anyone with the link" option under "General access". You can choose the role of people with access, such as editor, viewer, or commenter, and click the "Done" button.

Files loaded into the Continuously Synced Folder are automatically transferred to Drive. You can upload files to this folder by dragging and dropping them, and the Google Drive icon in the menu bar will spin to indicate that the file is uploading.

Sharing Files

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Sharing files with others is a breeze on Google Drive. You can share files by selecting the desired file, pressing the right mouse button, and selecting the "Sharing" option.

To provide restricted access, you can add people by entering their email addresses, specify what they can do with your file (editing, viewing, or commenting), and send them a notification email.

Each person will get a notification email that you've shared the file with them. You can also add a message to the notification email for extra context.

To share files with general access, select the file, right-click, and select the "Share" option. Then, under "General access", click the Down arrow and select the "Anyone with the link" option.

You can choose the role of people with access to the file: editor, viewer, or commenter. Once you've made your selection, click the "Done" button.

Here's a summary of the sharing options:

Continuous Sync Folder

The Continuous Sync Folder is a great way to keep your files up-to-date across all your devices. You can create a folder on your Desktop to continuously sync with Google Drive during the setup process.

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To upload files in the sync folder, simply drag and drop them into the folder. The Google Drive icon in the menu bar will spin, indicating that the file is uploading. This process happens automatically, so you don't need to worry about manually transferring files.

The uploaded file will now be inside the sync folder on your computer, and it will also be available in your Google Drive account. You can access it by selecting the applicable computer under the Computers tab in Google Drive.

Here's a step-by-step guide to creating a Continuous Sync Folder:

1. Create a folder on your Desktop to sync with Google Drive during setup.

2. Drag and drop files into the sync folder to upload them to Google Drive.

3. The Google Drive icon will spin, indicating that the file is uploading.

4. The uploaded file will be available in the sync folder on your computer and in Google Drive.

Stop Sync

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To stop syncing your Google Drive with your Mac, you can completely disconnect your Google Account from the Backup and Sync application.

You can do this by following the first method, which is to completely disconnect your Google Account from the Backup and Sync application.

Alternatively, you can temporarily pause Backup and Sync, which is useful if you only need to stop syncing temporarily.

This method allows you to quickly resume the service when you want to commence syncing again.

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Jeannie Larson

Senior Assigning Editor

Jeannie Larson is a seasoned Assigning Editor with a keen eye for compelling content. With a passion for storytelling, she has curated articles on a wide range of topics, from technology to lifestyle. Jeannie's expertise lies in assigning and editing articles that resonate with diverse audiences.

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