Set up and use Google Drive on your Mac

This article explains how to set up and use Google Drive on a Mac. Instructions apply to Macs with OS X Yosemite (10.10) and later.

How to install Google Drive on your Mac

Here’s how to download and install Google Drive for desktop on your Mac.

1. Launch your web browser and navigate to the Google Drive download page.

2. Select Download Drive for Computer.

3. When the download is complete, locate and double-click the installer you downloaded. The file is called GoogleDrive.dmg. Wait for the file to open.

4. Double click on the file GoogleDrive.pkg.

5. Select Continue.

6. Select Install. Enter your password pass system if prompted. (Select Change install location if you want to change the default location.)

7. Wait for the installation to complete.

8. A message indicates that the installation was successful.

Get started with Google Drive for desktop

The first time you start Google Drive, you need to follow a few steps to set it up. After that, accessing Google Drive is simple.

1. Click on Login with browser to get started with Google Drive.

2. Select an account to continue setting up Google Drive for desktop.

Note : Google Drive may ask you to accept notifications. Select To allow Where Not to allow.

3. Select To log in to continue.

4. Icon Google Drive appears in the top menu bar of your Mac. You can now use Google Drive for desktop to store and share files on your devices.

Use Google Drive on your Mac

After installing Google Drive on your Mac, you can upload files to your drive and sync all your files and folders. Anything you upload to Google Drive is copied to Google’s cloud storage system, which you can access from any supported device.

You get 15GB of free storage space with Google Drive, but storage is shared by Google Drive files, Gmail messages and attachments, and Google Photos. This means that your Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drawings, Forms, and Jamboard files all count toward your free 15GB storage allowance. If that amount isn’t enough, you can purchase more space from GoogleOne.

Google Drive is well integrated with other Google services, including Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Slides.

Google Drive menu bar icon for desktop

The Google Drive desktop icon gives you quick access to Google Drive. Select the icon to see recent documents you’ve added or updated and if the cloud sync is complete.

Here are some additional Google Drive desktop settings.

1. Select icon Google Drive for desktop (triangle in a box) and choose the tab Activity to see recent files that have been downloaded and how much storage you are using.

2. Select tab Notifications to view messages or notifications about your files.

3. Select Settings (gear icon) to access the Preferences, Offline files, Pause synchronizationetc.

4. Select Preferences to customize your Google Drive options.

5. Select your Mac and Add Folder to upload, store and sync your files to Google Drive.

6. Select tab Google Drive to configure your synchronization options.

Your Mac now has additional storage available in Google Cloud. One of the best uses of any cloud-based storage system is to link storage to multiple devices for easy access to synced files with all your devices: Mac, iPad, iPhone, Windows and Android platforms. So be sure to install Google Drive on any device you own or control.

Also read: How to set up and use Microsoft OneDrive on Mac

There are other cloud-based storage systems you might want to consider, including Apple’s iCloud Drive, Microsoft’s OneDrive, and Dropbox. All offer a usable form of cloud-based storage for Mac users.