With Drive for desktop on macOS, you can:
- Access Drive from Finder
- Sync between local and Cloud files
Important:
- When you sync files using Drive for desktop, you can choose to sync by streaming or mirroring. Learn what it means to mirror or stream your files.
- If you sync files on macOS with Drive for desktop, you may need to give macOS permission. Learn how to give macOS permission.
- If you stream files on macOS 12.1 and up, Drive for desktop uses File Provider to give your files built-in support. Learn more about File Provider.
- Check if your macOS version is supported by Drive for desktop to ensure full functionality.Learn which macOS versions Drive for desktop supports.
Give macOS permission to sync files
If you sync certain files, you might need to give macOS permission to access folders and devices. Those folders and devices include:
- Desktop, Documents, and Downloads folders
- Removable and network volumes
- Your Photos library
Drive for desktop requires permission to:
- Access folders or devices you sync with Google Drive or backup to Google Photos
- Use Real-time presence or a Bluetooth key to sign in
If you don't initially grant approval, and later decide to sync a folder or device, go to "System Preferences" and change your privacy settings.
- On your computer, at the top-left corner, click the Apple
System Settings
- Open Files and Folders or Photos.
- Toggle the permission.
Tip: For changes to take effect, you might need to restart Drive for desktop or your computer.
Use File Provider to stream Drive files
If you use macOS 12.1 and up with Drive for desktop to stream files, Drive for desktop uses macOS's File Provider technology to provide built-in support for cloud file systems like Drive.
To confirm you're using File Provider:
- Open Drive for desktop.
- Click Settings
Preferences.
- At the top right, click Settings
.
- Under “Google Drive streaming location,” check if you see a notification that says “Folder location is controlled by macOS.” If so, you are on file provider. Otherwise, you are not.
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File Provider |
Alternative streaming method |
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macOS versions |
You can use File Provider in macOS 12.1 and up. |
You can use alternative streaming method in all supported versions of macOS. To change to the alternative streaming method see below. |
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Find your files |
You can find your files in the Finder sidebar, under “Locations.” For advanced users: You can find them in “/Library/CloudStorage” by default. You can’t change this location. |
You can find your files in the Finder sidebar, under “Favorites.” For advanced users: You can find them in “/Volumes/GoogleDrive” by default. You can change this location. |
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Drag and drop behavior |
Dragging items in and out of a Google Drive folder will move them. The cloud file will be trashed if moved out. |
Dragging items in and out of a Google Drive folder will copy them and keep the cloud version intact. |
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Spotlight search |
Spotlight search will only search a subset of your files including any downloaded files. To search all files, use the Drive for desktop search tool or the Drive website. |
Spotlight only searches through your files if you explicitly turn on that functionality in preferences. Otherwise it won't search at all. |
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Downloading files when syncing is paused |
When syncing is paused, you can’t download files. |
When syncing is paused, you can download files. |
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File accessibility when Drive for Desktop is not running |
Downloaded and locally created files are accessible when Drive for desktop isn’t running. |
Downloaded and locally created files are not accessible when Drive for desktop isn’t running. |
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QuickLook preview |
QuickLook previews only work for downloaded files (files without a cloud icon). |
QuickLook previews work for all files, assuming you have an internet connection. |
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File streaming |
In many settings, you can’t stream files and you need to fully download files before you can examine them. This can cause delays when you examine larger files. |
File data can always be streamed. |
When you drag and drop a folder or file within Finder, that item moves from its original location to its new location, provided both locations reside on the same disk volume. This remains true even when dragging the item in or out of the Drive for desktop file stream location.
Tip: To copy a file or folder, hold down the Option key 
To enable Google Drive when using File Provider, you must give explicit approval. To approve:
- Open Finder.
- On the left, under "Locations," click Google Drive.
- At the top right, click Enable.
You can also give permissions by clicking OK on the pop-up window.
If you do not enable Google Drive, you will not be able to stream your files using File Provider.
Google Drive is unable to start when it encounters a File Provider initialization error. This error is an error from macOS. If you encounter this error:
- Update your macOS operating system to the latest version
- Restart your computer
Important: Only users on macOS 12.1 and above can switch between alternative streaming method and File Provider. Users below macOS 12.1 will need to use the alternative streaming method experience.
You may find the alternative streaming method more suited to your needs see above. Below are instructions on how to switch between the two experiences.
To switch from File Provider to the alternative streaming method experience:
- Open Drive for desktop.
- Click Menu
Settings
- Click Preferences
- Check the box next to “Use alternative file streaming method to resolve potential application compatibility issues.”
- Make sure you’re OK with the side effects of switching.
- Click Continue.
- The app will reconfigure and restart.
- After the restart you will be on the alternative streaming method.
Important:
- After restart, the streaming drive will be found in the "Favorites" section of the sidebar.
- Any offline files and temporarily downloaded or cached files will be removed. Offline files will need to be manually marked for offline use again if desired. Learn more about offline files.
- If there are unsynced files at the time you switch, File Provider will first attempt to sync them.
To switch from the alternative streaming method to the File Provider experience:
- Open Drive for desktop.
- Click Menu
- Click Preferences
- Uncheck the box next to “Use alternative file streaming method to resolve potential application compatibility issues.”
- Make sure you’re OK with the side effects of switching.
- Click Continue.
- The app will reconfigure and restart.
- After the restart, the user will be on File Provider.
Important:
- After restart, the streaming drive will be found in the "Locations" section of the sidebar.
