If you're using Google Drive as your phone backup solution, you're probably aware of its limitations. Google Drive's free storage space is limited to 15 GB, and upgrading to a paid plan can be costly.
Synology offers a more cost-effective solution with its centralized backup hub, which can store up to 20 TB of data. This is especially useful for businesses or individuals with large collections of files.
To change your phone backup from Google Drive to a Synology centralized hub, you'll need to set up a Synology DiskStation and install the Synology Drive app on your phone. This app is available for both iOS and Android devices.
The Synology Drive app allows you to backup your phone's data, including photos, contacts, and messages, to your Synology DiskStation. This way, you can access your backed-up data from any device connected to your DiskStation.
Why Change from Google Drive
If you're considering switching from Google Drive to Synology for your phone backup, you're not alone. Synology offers numerous NAS solutions that are perfect for home and small business uses.
One of the most popular Synology NAS drives for photography backups is the Synology DS920+, which costs £599. Synology is a very attractive brand for those making the move away from the Google cloud services and Google Photos.
Synology NAS drives have several advantages, including being easily the most user-friendly NAS brand, excellent software focus, and a good range of intuitive applications included with the device.
Pros and Cons of Leaving
Leaving Google Drive behind can be a smart move, especially if you're looking for a more versatile tool like Synology Drive. It's essentially a upgraded file manager with many smart features.
Synology Drive is a robust alternative that offers advanced security features, including encryption and access controls. This gives you more control over your data.
One of the key advantages of Synology Drive is its seamless integration with other Synology products, making it a great choice for those already invested in the ecosystem. This integration can simplify your workflow and make it easier to manage your files.
However, Synology Drive also has some disadvantages, such as limited cross-platform compatibility compared to Google Drive. This might be a concern if you need to collaborate with others who use different devices or operating systems.
Synology Drive's more complex setup process can also be a drawback for some users, especially those who are not tech-savvy. You'll need to spend some time configuring the system to get the most out of it.
Cloud Storage Alternatives
If you're looking for a Google Drive alternative, Synology NAS is definitely worth considering. With a price range starting from £100 for their smallest one-bay solution, Synology is a brand that offers great value for its software and features.
Synology's software is extremely user-friendly, making it a great option for those who want a hassle-free experience. Their gorgeous software GUI can be accessed via a web browser, and they have mobile applications for photo and general backup and file management.
Synology NAS drives are available in various models, each catering to different needs. Here are some popular options:
Synology's cloud sync feature allows effortless backup or sync of files or folders between local NAS and public cloud services like Google Drive, OneDrive, and Dropbox. This feature provides flexibility in sync direction, selective sync, schedule sync, encryption, compression, traffic control, and more.
Manual Backup Options
If you're looking to manually back up your Google Drive to Synology, you have two simple solutions to choose from. However, they have some cons, so it's only recommended for small file backups.
You can turn to these methods if you hate using third-party services. Manual backups can be a good option if you're not comfortable with third-party solutions.
Keep in mind that these methods are only suitable for small numbers of files to be backed up between Google Drive and Synology NAS.
Cloud Sync Basics
Synology cloud sync is a useful tool that helps users effortlessly backup or sync files or folders between their local Synology NAS and public cloud services.
It supports a wide range of cloud services, including Google Drive, OneDrive, Amazon Drive, Backblaze B2, Dropbox, and more.
Synology cloud sync provides many useful features to make the sync task more flexible, such as sync direction, selective sync, schedule sync, encryption, compression, traffic control, and more.
Use Takeout
Google Takeout is a convenient way to export Google Drive files in one go. You can download files simply by following the instructions provided clearly on the Google Takeout page.
To get started, go to Google Takeout and tap Deselect all on the top right corner. This will give you a clean slate to select the files you want to export.
Select Drive only by swiping down, and then hit Next step at the bottom. This will take you to the next step in the process.
Choose your preferred settings, such as file type, frequency, and destination, based on your requirements. You can then tap Create export to initiate the process.
After a while, you'll receive an email with a downloading link in your Gmail account. Download the file on your PC, and upload it to Synology NAS directly.
Cloud Sync Basics
Cloud sync is a useful tool that helps users effortlessly backup or sync files or folders between local Synology NAS and public cloud services.
Synology cloud sync supports popular cloud services like Google Drive, OneDrive, Amazon Drive, Backblaze B2, and Dropbox.
It allows users to sync files or folders in both directions, giving them more control over their data.
Selective sync is a feature that enables users to choose which files or folders to sync, saving storage space and reducing unnecessary data transfer.
Sync tasks can be scheduled to run automatically at specified times, making it easy to keep data up-to-date without manual intervention.
Encryption and compression are features that provide an additional layer of security and data reduction, respectively.
Traffic control allows users to limit the amount of bandwidth used by sync tasks, preventing them from consuming too much internet bandwidth.
Android
Synology Drive for Android offers a modern and clutter-free interface that rivals Google Drive.
The app has a tabbed interface that lets you quickly jump to your custom file selection. You can browse the app based on the file kind, such as photos, videos, audio, and documents.
Synology Drive allows you to save files offline on your phone for offline access when you can't connect to the internet. The bottom navigation bar is dynamic, so it changes based on the app section you're in.
The app supports data backup even on mobile data, as long as QuickConnect is activated on your Synology NAS.
Synology Drive has a built-in music player with a fun animation on the app's homepage. However, the app doesn't support opening common document file formats like PDF.
Google Takeout offers an easy way to export Google Drive files in one go.
The process of using Google Takeout involves four steps: deselecting all files, selecting Drive only, choosing preferred settings, and creating an export.
Moving Files to NAS
Moving files to your NAS is a crucial step in switching from Google Drive to Synology Drive. This process can take some time, especially if you have several hundred GBs of data to sync.
You'll need to download the files stored in the cloud onto your computer, so make sure you have enough disk space or use an external hard disk. The new Google Drive for Desktop tool makes this process relatively straightforward.
Why Choose NAS?
Choosing a NAS can be a bit overwhelming, but let's break it down. Synology is a popular brand for home and small business uses, offering numerous NAS solutions at affordable prices. Their smallest one-bay solution starts at around £100 without a hard drive.
One of the main advantages of Synology NAS is its user-friendliness. It's easily the most user-friendly NAS brand, making it perfect for those who aren't tech-savvy. The software focus is also excellent, providing a range of intuitive applications included with the device.
Synology NAS drives are available in various categories, including a "Photographer NAS" option. This is perfect for those who need to store and manage large photo collections. The Synology DS920+ is a popular choice in this category, priced at £599.
If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option, the Synology DS120J starts at $99. This is a great entry-point for those who want to dip their toes into NAS storage. The device is compact and easy to set up, making it perfect for small homes or offices.
Copying to NAS with Sync
Using Synology cloud sync is a great way to copy files to your NAS. This tool helps users backup or sync files between their local NAS and public cloud services.
You can sync files between your NAS and services like Google Drive, OneDrive, and Dropbox. The process can take some time, especially if you have a large amount of data.
Synology cloud sync offers many useful features, including sync direction, selective sync, and schedule sync. These features make the sync task more flexible and customizable.
If you're moving many files, make sure you have enough disk space or use an external hard disk. This will ensure the synced folder populates successfully.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I change the backup destination in Synology?
To change the backup destination in Synology, click the "Select" button next to the destination field. This will allow you to choose a new location for your backups.
Sources
- https://www.multcloud.com/tutorials/backup-google-drive-to-synology-1207.html
- https://www.androidpolice.com/synology-as-a-google-drive-alternative/
- https://recoverit.wondershare.com/data-backup/synology-backup-to-google-drive.html
- https://nascompares.com/2021/01/17/how-to-switch-from-google-photos-and-drive-to-synology-nas-a-step-by-step-guide/
- https://www.cbackup.com/articles/synology-backup-to-google-drive.html
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