Back up & sync files with Google Drive

To download and install Backup and Sync, click Download Backup and Sync.

Download Backup and Sync

1. On your computer, click Download Backup and Sync.
2. Read the Terms of Service and click Agree and download.
3. After it’s downloaded, open InstallBackupAndSync.dmg.
4. Move Backup and Sync to your Applications folder.
5. Open Backup and Sync.
   • If you see a warning that "Backup and Sync is an application downloaded from the Internet," click Open.
6. Sign in with your Google Account username and password.
7. Choose your sync settings and click Next.

To download and install Backup and Sync, click Download Backup and Sync.

Download Backup and Sync

1. On your computer, click Download Backup and Sync.
2. Read the Terms of Service and click Agree and download.
3. After it’s downloaded, open installbackupandsync.exe.
4. If you see a window asking if you want to allow the program to make changes on your computer, click Yes.
5. If you’re asked to restart your computer, do it now.
6. Start Backup and Sync.
7. Sign in with your Google Account username and password.
8. Choose your sync settings and click Next.

Problems with signing in to Backup and Sync

If you have trouble signing in to Backup and Sync, make sure you have the following turned on in Internet Explorer:

• Cookies
• Javascript
• Firewall and proxy settings for your network

You can sync some or all your files and folders on your computer to Google Drive.

1. On your computer, click Backup and Sync .
2. Click More Preferences.
3. At the right, click the folders you want to sync.
4. To add a folder not on the list, click Choose folder.
5. Add the folder you want to sync.
6. Click OK.

You can sync files and folders in Google Drive to your computer for offline use.

1. On your computer, click Backup and Sync .
2. Click More Preferences.
3. At the left, click Google Drive.
4. Click Sync My Drive to this computer.
5. Choose if you want to:
   • Sync everything in My Drive
   • Sync only these folders
6. Click OK.

Change the Google Drive folder's location

1. On your computer, click Backup and Sync .
2. Click More Preferences.
3. At the left, click your computer's name.
4. Click Change.

If you don't see "Change" in Preferences

1. Quit Backup and Sync.
2. Move the folder to where you want it.
3. Reopen Backup and Sync.
4. Click Backup and Sync   Locate.
5. Find the folder and click Open.

When you connect a phone, camera, SD card, or other device to your computer, you can automatically upload the files on those devices.

1. On your computer, click Backup and Sync .
2. Click More Preferences.
3. At the bottom, click USB devices & SD cards.
4. Click Plug in a camera or phone to back up files  OK.

You can choose to not sync certain file types on your computer.

1. On your computer, click Backup and Sync .
2. Click More Preferences.
3. At the right, click Change.
4. Click Advanced settings.
5. Enter the file type extension you don't want to sync.
6. Click Add  OK.

Choose how Backup and Sync deletes files

When you delete a file from your computer, you can choose what happens on drive.google.com.

1. On your computer, click Backup and Sync .
2. Click More Preferences.
3. Next to "Removing items," click the Down arrow :
   • Always remove both copies: When you delete something on your computer or drive.google.com, it will be deleted everywhere.
   • Never remove both copies: When you delete something on your computer, it will stay on drive.google.com.
   • Ask before removing both copies: When you delete something on your computer, it will ask if you want to delete it everywhere.
4. Click OK.

Respond to item removal request

If you choose "Ask me before removing both copies" you’ll need to approve each deletion. To approve:

1. On your computer, click Backup and Sync .
2. Click Remove.

When you upload photos and videos with Backup and Sync, they will upload as "Original quality." If you want to change how much space they use in Google Drive, you can upload them as "High quality."

Note: If you change your photos to High quality, you can't change them back. 

1. On your computer, click Backup and Sync .
2. Click More Preferences.
3. Choose whether you want to upload photos in High quality or Original quality.

Learn more about the upload size of photos in Google Drive.

1. On your computer, click Backup and Sync .
2. Click More Preferences.
3. Click Settings Show warning when you remove items from a shared folder.

You can sign in with up to three Google Accounts.

1. On your computer, click Backup and Sync .
2. Click More  Add new account.
3. Click Get Started, and then follow the steps to sign in.

If you want to upgrade storage for your Google Drive account:

1. On your computer, click Backup and Sync .
2. Click More Preferences.
3. Click Settings  Upgrade storage.
4. Choose your subscription plan, and then follow the instructions.

1. On your computer, click Backup and Sync .
2. Click More Preferences.
3. Click Settings Network settings.
4. Next to "Download Rate" or "Upload Rate," click the button option you want:
   • Use a slower rate: Choose Limit to, and then use the arrows to change the rate.
   • Use a faster rate: Choose Don't limit.
5. Click OK.