This wikiHow teaches you how to use the Google Backup and Sync feature to sync folders from your Google Drive account to your PC or Mac computer. You can also find out how to sync folders from your computer to your Google Drive account so you can access your files anywhere you have access to the internet.
Step
Method 1 of 2: On Windows
Step 1. Visit https://www.google.com/drive/download via a web browser
This address will take you to the Google Backup and Sync download page.
Step 2. Click Download under the “Personal” heading
A window containing the terms of service will be displayed.
Step 3. Click Agree and Download
A file named installbackupandsync.exe will be downloaded to the PC afterwards.
You may need to specify a download storage folder and click “ Save " or " Download ” to download the file.
Step 4. Run the installation file
You can run the file by double-clicking the file “ installbackupandsync.exe " in folders " Downloads " Google Backup and Sync will be installed afterwards.
If prompted to allow the program to make changes to the computer, click “ Yes ”.
Step 5. Click Close once after the program is installed
Once Google Backup & Sync is installed, a cloud icon will appear in the system section (the area containing the clock, battery indicator, and volume on the taskbar).
Step 6. Open Google Backup & Sync
Click the cloud icon in the system section near the clock. If you don't see the icon, click the up arrow icon to the left of the visible icon row to show more icons. You can click on the cloud icon afterwards.
Step 7. Click GET STARTED on the welcome page
Step 8. Sign in to your Google account
Follow the on-screen instructions to sign in using your Google/Gmail account username and password.
Step 9. Click on GOT IT once you are logged in to your account
A list of folders will be displayed afterwards.
Step 10. Select a folder to sync from your computer to your Google Drive account
The folders displayed at the top of the window are set to be backed up automatically. All subfolders within each selected folder will also be synchronized.
- To prevent certain folders from syncing to your Google Drive account, uncheck them.
- To add a folder, click “ CHOOSE FOLDER ” under the folder list, select a folder, and click “ Select Folder ”.
Step 11. Click Change to specify the files you want to back up
It's in the lower-right corner of the folder list. Follow these steps in the new window that appears:
- To sync all file types from whatever folder you want to back up, leave the option “ Back up all files and folders "Still elected.
- To back up only photos and videos, select “ Back up photos and videos " You can also specify whether you want to back up screenshots and/or RAW files.
- If you don't want to back up files with certain extensions (eg files with.exe extension), click “ Advanced Settings ”, type in the file extensions that need to be excluded, and click “ ADD ”.
- Click " OK " after it finishes.
Step 12. Select photo sync preferences
If you want to back up your photos, select the file size option under the " Photo and video upload size " heading.
- If you choose " High quality ”, you can enjoy unlimited photo and video backups that don't take up Google Drive storage space. The synced files are of high quality, but at a slightly lower percentage. This option is suitable for most users.
- If you want to sync photos and videos at very high resolution without losing quality (e.g. if you are a videographer or photographer), select “ Original quality " However, keep in mind that you may need to purchase additional storage space.
- If you want your backed up photos to appear in your Google Photos account, check the box next to " Upload photos and videos to Google Photos ".
Step 13. Click NEXT
It's in the lower-right corner of the window.
Step 14. Click GOT IT
After determining which folders to sync to your Google Drive account, you need to select the folders from your Google Drive account that you want to sync to your computer.
Step 15. Decide if you need to sync the folders from your Google Drive account to your PC
If you want to be able to access the files stored in your Google Drive account while using a Windows computer, check the box next to " Sync My Drive to this computer ", at the top of the window.
If you want to sync files from your Google Drive account, a new folder named " Google Drive " will be added to the main user folder. You can access the folder from File Explorer by clicking on the “Google Drive” option under the “Quick access” section
Step 16. Select the folder that needs to be synced to the PC
All folders in your Google Drive account will be automatically selected. However, to specify a specific folder, select “ Sync only these folders ”, then make a choice.
Step 17. Click Start
The selected files and folders will be synced between your Google Drive account and PC. The cloud icon on the system cross-section will display two arrows indicating that the synchronization process is in progress.
- Synchronization is done automatically. You don't have to click anything to resync files.
- To check the sync progress, click the cloud icon in the system section.
- To temporarily stop the sync process, click on the Google Backup and Sync cloud icon and select “ Pause " Resume sync when ready by clicking the “ Resume ” from the same menu.
Step 18. Review the files that have been synced to the computer
- Click the icon " Backup & Sync ” on the system cross section.
- Click the little folder icon with the little Google Drive logo inside to open the “Google Drive” folder via File Explorer.
Step 19. View the files that you have synced to your Google Drive account
- Click the icon " Backup & Sync ”.
- Click the triangular Google Drive icon.
- Click " Computers ” on the left pane.
- Click computer (eg. My Laptop ”) in the main panel to view files.
Step 20. Manage sync preferences
If you want to change the files and folders that need to be synced, click the Google Backup & Sync icon, select the “ ⁝ ” in the upper right corner of the screen, and click “ Preferences ”.
- You can add or remove files or folders from the sync list as needed.
- Click the tab " Settings ” on the left side of the window to view additional options. In this section, you can determine whether Google Backup & Sync should run automatically when the computer is turned on. You can also click “ Network Settings ” to adjust upload and download speed.
Method 2 of 2: On MacOS
Step 1. Visit https://www.google.com/drive/download via a web browser
This address will take you to the Google Backup and Sync download page.
Step 2. Click Download under the “Personal” heading
A window containing the terms of service will be displayed.
Step 3. Click Agree and Download
The program's installation files will be downloaded to your Mac computer.
Step 4. Click the downloaded file
The file is named “InstallBackupAndSync.dmg”. Usually, you can see it in the lower-left corner of the browser window, but you can also double-click the file in the “ Downloads The Google Backup and Sync installation window will open.
Step 5. Drag the Backup and Sync icon to the Applications folder
The program will be installed to the “Applications” folder.
Step 6. Open Google Backup and Sync
These apps are marked by a blue and white cloud icon and are displayed in the “ Applications The computer will ask if you are sure you want to open the application.
Step 7. Click Open
The welcome page will load. You can also see a new cloud icon in the menu bar in the upper right corner of the screen.
Step 8. Click GET STARTED on the welcome page
Step 9. Sign in to your Google account
Follow the on-screen instructions to sign in using your Google/Gmail account username and password.
Step 10. Click on GOT IT after logging into the account
A list of folders will be displayed afterwards.
Step 11. Select a folder to sync from your computer to your Google Drive account
The folders displayed at the top of the window are set to be backed up automatically. All subfolders within each selected folder will also be synchronized.
- To prevent certain folders from syncing to your Drive account, uncheck the folder. For example, if you back up your photos with another app (e.g. iCloud), you may not need to sync your photos to your Google Drive account.
- To add a folder, click “ CHOOSE FOLDER ” under the folder list, select a folder, and click “ Open ”.
Step 12. Click Change to select the files that need to be backed up
It's in the lower-right corner of the folder list. Follow these steps in the new window that appears:
- To sync all file types from whatever folder you want to back up, leave the option “ Back up all files and folders "Still elected.
- To back up only photos and videos, select “ Back up photos and videos " You can also specify whether screenshots, RAW files, and/or metadata from Apple's photo library are backed up as well.
- If you don't want to back up files with a certain extension (e.g. files with.dmg extension), click “ Advanced Settings ”, type in the file extensions that need to be excluded, and click “ ADD ”.
- Click " OK " after it finishes.
Step 13. Select photo sync preferences
If you want to back up photos, specify a file size option under the " Photo and video upload size " heading.
- If you choose " High quality ”, you can enjoy unlimited photo and video backups that don't take up Google Drive storage space. The synced files are of high quality, but at a slightly lower percentage. This option is suitable for most users.
- If you want to sync photos and videos at very high resolution without losing quality (e.g. if you are a videographer or photographer), select “ Original quality " However, keep in mind that you may need to purchase additional storage space.
- If you want your backed up photos to appear in your Google Photos account, check the box next to " Upload photos and videos to Google Photos ".
Step 14. Click NEXT
It's in the lower-right corner of the window.
Step 15. Click GOT IT
After specifying the folders that need to be synced to your Google Drive account, you can choose which folders from Google Drive to sync to your computer.
Step 16. Decide if you want to sync folders from Google Drive account to Mac computer
If you want to be able to access the files in your Google Drive account through the Finder, check the box next to " Sync My Drive to this computer ", at the top of the window.
If you want to sync files from Google Drive, a new folder named “Google Drive” will be created on your computer and contain all the files and folders you want to sync
Step 17. Specify the folder from the Google Drive account that needs to be synced to the computer
All folders in your Google Drive account will be automatically selected. To specify a specific folder, select “ Sync only these folders ”, then make a choice.
Step 18. Click Start
The selected files and folders will now sync between your Google Drive account and Mac computer. The cloud icon on the menu bar will display two arrows indicating that the synchronization process is in progress.
- Synchronization is done automatically. You don't have to click anything to resync files.
- To check the sync progress, click the cloud icon in the system section.
- To temporarily stop the sync process, click on the Google Backup and Sync cloud icon and select “ Pause " Resume sync when ready by clicking the “ Resume ” from the same menu.
Step 19. Review the files you synced to your Google Drive account
- Click the icon " Backup & Sync ” on the menu bar.
- Click the triangular Google Drive icon.
- Click " Computers ” on the left pane.
- Click your computer (eg. My Laptop ”) in the main panel to view files.
Step 20. Review the files that you synced to your Mac computer
-
Open Finder
by clicking on its icon in the computer's Dock.
- Click the folder " Google Drive ” on the left pane.
Step 21. Manage sync preferences
If you want to change the synced files and folders, click the “Backup & Sync” icon (the cloud icon on the menu bar), select the “ ⁝ ” in the upper right corner of the screen, and click “ Preferences ”.
