Sync your files with Google Drive and access them from any device
How to Download, Install, and Use Drive Sync: A Complete Guide
Drive sync is a feature that allows you to synchronize your files and folders across different devices and cloud storage services. It lets you access, edit, share, and backup your files from anywhere, anytime, and from any device. Whether you want to work on a project with your team, store your photos and videos online, or keep your important documents safe, drive sync can help you do that easily and securely.
download drive sync
In this article, we will show you how to download, install, and use drive sync on your Windows, Mac, Android, or iOS device. We will also explain some of the benefits, alternatives, and solutions to common problems of drive sync. By the end of this article, you will be able to use drive sync like a pro.
How to Download and Install Drive Sync
Drive sync is a desktop application that you can download from Google's website. It works with Google Drive, Google Photos, and other cloud storage services that support file syncing. Here are the steps to download and install drive sync on your computer or mobile device.
How to Download Drive Sync for Windows or Mac
Go to on your web browser.
Select Download under Drive for desktop.
Read the terms of service and click Agree and download.
Save the installer file on your computer.
Run the installer file and follow the instructions on the screen.
When the installation is complete, launch drive sync from the Start menu or Applications folder.
How to Download Drive Sync for Android or iOS
Go to on your web browser.
Select Download for Android or Download for iOS, depending on your device.
You will be redirected to the Google Play Store or App Store page of drive sync.
Select Install or Get, then Open.
If prompted, sign in with your Google account.
Grant the necessary permissions for drive sync to access your files.
How to Use Drive Sync
Once you have installed drive sync on your device, you can start syncing your files and folders between your computer and Google Drive or Google Photos. You can also sync files and folders between your computer and other cloud storage services that support file syncing. Here are some of the things you can do with drive sync.
How to Sync Files and Folders Between Your Computer and Google Drive or Google Photos
On your computer, open drive sync from the system tray or menu bar.
Select More (three dots icon), then Preferences.
Under Google Drive, choose how you want to sync your files and folders. You can either sync everything in your Google Drive to a folder on your computer, or sync only selected folders.
Under Google Photos, choose whether you want to sync photos and videos from your computer to Google Photos, and in what quality.
Select OK to save your settings.
Drive sync will start syncing your files and folders in the background. You can see the sync status and progress by hovering over the drive sync icon in the system tray or menu bar.
To access your synced files and folders, open the Google Drive folder or Google Photos folder on your computer. You can also access them online by going to on your web browser.
How to Sync Files and Folders Between Your Computer and Other Cloud Storage Services
If you have other cloud storage services that support file syncing, such as Dropbox, OneDrive, or iCloud, you can also use drive sync to sync files and folders between your computer and those services. Here are the steps to do that.
On your computer, open drive sync from the system tray or menu bar.
Select More (three dots icon), then Add cloud storage.
Select the cloud storage service that you want to add, such as Dropbox, OneDrive, or iCloud.
If prompted, sign in with your account for that service and grant permission for drive sync to access your files.
Select the folder on your computer where you want to sync files and folders from that service.
Select Add to confirm.
Drive sync will start syncing your files and folders in the background. You can see the sync status and progress by hovering over the drive sync icon in the system tray or menu bar.
To access your synced files and folders, open the folder on your computer that you selected for that service. You can also access them online by going to the website of that service on your web browser.
How to Access and Manage Your Synced Files and Folders Online or Offline
One of the benefits of drive sync is that you can access and manage your synced files and folders online or offline. This means that you can work on your files even when you don't have an internet connection, and they will be automatically updated when you go online. Here are some of the things you can do with your synced files and folders online or offline.
How to Access Your Synced Files and Folders Online
To access your synced files and folders online, you can use any web browser on any device. Here are the steps to do that.
Go to on your web browser.
If prompted, sign in with your Google account.
You will see all your synced files and folders from Google Drive, Google Photos, and other cloud storage services that you added with drive sync.
You can open, edit, share, download, delete, or move any of your synced files and folders online. Any changes you make will be reflected on your computer and other devices where you have drive sync installed.
How to Access Your Synced Files and Folders Offline
To access your synced files and folders offline, you can use the Google Drive folder or Google Photos folder on your computer. You can also use the drive sync app on your Android or iOS device. Here are the steps to do that.
How to Access Your Synced Files and Folders Offline on Your Computer
Open the Google Drive folder or Google Photos folder on your computer. You can find them in the File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac).
You will see all your synced files and folders from Google Drive, Google Photos, and other cloud storage services that you added with drive sync.
You can open, edit, copy, paste, rename, or delete any of your synced files and folders offline. Any changes you make will be automatically updated when you go online.
How to Access Your Synced Files and Folders Offline on Your Android or iOS Device
Open the drive sync app on your Android or iOS device. You can find it in the app drawer (Android) or home screen (iOS).
If prompted, sign in with your Google account.
You will see all your synced files and folders from Google Drive, Google Photos, and other cloud storage services that you added with drive sync.
You can open, edit, share, download, delete, or move any of your synced files and folders offline. Any changes you make will be automatically updated when you go online.
To make a file or folder available offline, tap on the three dots icon next to it and select Make available offline. This will save a copy of the file or folder on your device's storage. You can access it even when you don't have an internet connection.
How to Collaborate on Microsoft Office Files in Real Time with Drive Sync
Another benefit of drive sync is that you can collaborate on Microsoft Office files in real time with other people. This means that you can work on Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or Outlook files with your team members or clients, and see each other's changes as they happen. You can also chat and comment on the files, and keep track of the revision history. Here are the steps to do that.
On your computer, open drive sync from the system tray or menu bar.
Select More (three dots icon), then Preferences.
Under Microsoft Office, check the box next to Enable real-time presence in Microsoft Office from Drive for desktop.
Select OK to save your settings.
Open the Google Drive folder on your computer and locate the Microsoft Office file that you want to collaborate on. Make sure that the file is synced with Google Drive.
Double-click on the file to open it with Microsoft Office. You will see a drive sync icon on the top right corner of the file.
To invite other people to collaborate on the file, click on the drive sync icon and select Share. Enter their email addresses and choose their access level (view, comment, or edit). You can also copy and paste the link to the file and send it to them.
To see who is working on the file with you, click on the drive sync icon and select Show collaborators. You will see their names and cursors on the file.
To chat with your collaborators, click on the drive sync icon and select Show chat. You can type messages and send emojis to them.
To comment on the file, select the text or cell that you want to comment on and click on the Review tab. Then click on New Comment and type your comment. You can also reply to or resolve other people's comments.
To see the revision history of the file, click on the File tab. Then click on Info, then