The app may be added to a system either by an individual or deployed by an administrator to organization-managed devices. The app handles tasks previously offered in two separate apps, the Google Drive File Stream app and the Backup and Sync app.

The Google Drive for Desktop app gives people who use Windows or macOS devices streamlined access to Google Drive folders and files. For more info, visit our Terms of Use page. This may influence how and where their products appear on our site, but vendors cannot pay to influence the content of our reviews. We may be compensated by vendors who appear on this page through methods such as affiliate links or sponsored partnerships. Under 'My Drive syncing options,' select Stream files or Mirror files.Google Drive for Desktop app: 4 reasons why you should install itĪndy Wolber thinks that Google Drive for Desktop is a must-install app for people who use Google Workspace with Windows or macOS systems.Configure My Drive for streaming or mirroring You can stream or mirror My Drive, depending on your preferences. Additionally, files from shared drives, other computers, and backed-up USB devices can only be streamed. While you can choose whether to mirror or stream your My Drive files, other folders on your device can only be mirrored. Learn more about streaming behavior with macOS. Important: Recent versions of macOS may have a slightly different streaming behavior. You can access files through a mounted drive on your computer. All files, including those available offline, can be accessed only when the app is running. Files that are not available offline can only be accessed when you’re connected to the internet. Hard drive space is only used when you open files or make them available offline. With streaming, your files are stored in the cloud. You can access files through a folder on your computer. You can access your files at any time, even when you don’t have an internet connection or the Drive for desktop app running. With mirroring, your files are stored in the cloud and on your computer, which takes up hard drive space. In both cases, any changes you make to your files on one device will be reflected everywhere. Mirroring and streaming are two ways to sync your files.

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