Want your Google Drive files in Finder? You need Drive for desktop installed, signed in, and connected to Finder first. Here’s how to get it running, choose how much storage it uses, and keep your files ready for offline work.
Download and install Google Drive
Check that your Mac runs macOS Ventura 13.0 or later before installing. That’s the minimum for current Drive for desktop releases, and Google does not support beta operating systems.
Open Google’s official Drive product page.
Select Download.
Choose Download Drive for desktop. Google’s installation help page also offers a DOWNLOAD FOR MAC button.
Open the downloaded GoogleDrive.dmg file.
Follow the installer’s prompts to finish installing Google Drive.
Tip: Choose Drive for desktop for Finder syncing; a browser-installed Drive web app only opens the website in its own window.
Connect your account and enable Finder access
Use the Google account whose files you want on this Mac.
- 1.Open Google Drive.
- 2.Select Get started.
- 3.Select Sign in and complete authentication with your Google account.
- 4.In Finder, select Google Drive under Locations.
- 5.Select Enable to allow Finder integration, or OK if macOS displays the permission pop-up instead.
Choose how much space Drive uses
Streaming saves local space; mirroring keeps a complete local copy of My Drive.
If you’re switching an existing mirrored setup to streaming, let all uploads finish first. The old mirrored folder stops syncing after the switch.
Open Google Drive’s Settings menu.
Select Preferences.
Open Folders from Drive. The sidebar entry is also labeled Google Drive in some versions.
Under My Drive syncing options, select Stream files to download files as needed. Streaming is the default, so leave it selected if that’s what you want.
For a complete local copy instead, first check that your Mac has enough storage for your My Drive files.
Select Mirror files.
Choose the local destination when prompted.
Let the downloads finish. Shared drives continue to use streaming even when you mirror My Drive.
Add files and prepare for offline work
Once your account is connected, Finder handles uploads and access to your Drive files. If you chose streaming, download the files you need before going offline.
Open Google Drive in Finder.
Drag files or folders into it to upload them automatically. Hold Option while dragging to copy the items and keep the originals where they are.
To sync an existing Mac folder, open Drive’s Settings > Preferences > Folders from your computer.
Add the folder you want to sync.
Enable Sync with Google Drive. These folders appear under Computers in Drive online.
For offline access to streamed files, select the files or folders in Finder’s Google Drive location. Use Shift-click to select multiple items.
Right-click your selection and choose Available offline.
Wait for downloading to finish before disconnecting from the internet.
Keep Drive running and your account connected while using these files offline. Mirrored files are already stored locally. Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides need the separate browser setup described below.
Check that your setup is syncing
Open Google Drive.
Check Sync status for upload and download progress.
Select View all sync activity for details, or open Sync activity in the sidebar.
If Drive cannot access a folder you want to sync, open the Apple menu > System Settings > Privacy & Security > Files & Folders.
Enable Google Drive’s access to the folders or volumes you’re syncing. Permission alone does not make every volume type supported.
Restart Drive after changing permissions.
If access still fails, restart your Mac.
For a work or school account, contact your administrator if Drive access, local-folder syncing, or mirroring is blocked. Administrators control those features.
If desktop setup still fails, use Google Drive in a supported browser. Sign in, then choose New > File Upload or Folder Upload to upload files while you resolve the desktop issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use more than one Google account on my Mac?
Yes. Drive for desktop supports up to four simultaneous accounts. Click the Drive menu-bar icon, open your profile picture, and select + Add account. Complete browser authentication, then restart Drive. Organizational account restrictions still apply.
How do I use Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides offline?
While connected to the internet, open Chrome or Edge outside private browsing. Enable the Google Docs Offline extension. Open drive.google.com/drive/settings and enable offline document creation and editing. Then right-click each document you need in Drive and select Make available offline. For work or school accounts, offline access is subject to your organization’s policies.
Can Google Drive start automatically when I log in?
Yes. Open Drive’s Settings > Preferences > Advanced Settings, then turn on Launch Google Drive when you login to your computer. Administrator overrides take precedence on managed installations.
Do I update Google Drive through the Mac App Store?
No. The native Mac app updates automatically through Google Software Update. On managed devices, administrators control update settings.