How to Back Up Your Mac to Google Drive: A Real-World Guide That Works

Why Backing Up macOS Folders to Google Drive Is a Smart Move

Backing up your files isn’t something you think about—until you really need it. Whether your Mac runs into trouble, gets lost, or you simply want peace of mind, Google Drive gives you an easy and secure way to keep your data safe and synced across devices. It's not just about storage—it's about being able to pick up right where you left off, anytime, anywhere.

• 🔐 End-to-End Security – Your files are encrypted during transfer and while stored on Google’s servers, protecting them from prying eyes.
• ☁️ Generous Free Tier – Every Google account comes with 15 GB of free storage, and Google One offers affordable upgrades when you need more space.
• 🧩 Works Natively with Finder – Google Drive shows up right in your Finder sidebar, just like a regular folder—making backup and file access feel like second nature.
• 🎯 Flexible Sync Settings – You choose exactly which folders on your Mac to back up. There’s no need to move files around—just point and sync.
• 🔁 Access from Anywhere – Your files aren’t tied to one device. Whether you’re on another Mac, a Windows PC, or just using your phone, your data goes with you.

How to Configure Google Drive on macOS for Folder Backup

Setting up Google Drive on your Mac is quick and straightforward. With a few simple steps, you can ensure your important folders are continuously synced to the cloud and available across all your devices.

1. Download Google Drive for desktop from the official Google Drive website.
2. Install the app by opening the downloaded .dmg file and following the setup instructions.
3. Launch the app and sign in with your Google account. The Drive icon will appear in your macOS menu bar once you're signed in.
4. Click the Drive icon and open Preferences from the gear menu.
5. In the “My Mac” tab, click Add folder to choose the folders you want to back up—common choices are Desktop, Documents, and Pictures.
6. For each folder, you’ll be asked whether to back up to Google Drive, Google Photos, or both (for folders with media files).
7. Under the “Google Drive” section, choose your sync mode:
   • Stream files: Files are stored online and downloaded only when opened, saving local storage.
   • Mirror files: A full copy is stored locally and in the cloud, for full offline access.
8. Click Save to finish configuration. Your selected folders will now stay in sync automatically.

Once set up, these folders will be continuously synced to Google Drive. Any changes you make on your Mac will reflect in the cloud almost instantly—no manual uploads or extra steps required.

Syncing Additional macOS Folders with Symbolic Links

Google Drive for desktop syncs only the folders you explicitly select during setup. If you want to back up other directories outside those defaults (like ~/Projects or a custom folder on an external drive), symbolic links can help bridge the gap.

To link a folder outside of your synced Google Drive directory, use the following Terminal command:

ln -s /Users/YourName/Projects "/Users/YourName/Google Drive/Projects"

This creates a symbolic link inside your Google Drive folder that points to the actual folder you want to sync. As long as the original folder isn't being managed by another sync tool (like iCloud), Google Drive will detect the link and upload its contents as if they were located inside your Drive folder.

It's a handy way to include folders without relocating them. That said, symbolic links aren’t foolproof. Misuse or conflicts with other apps may lead to syncing issues, so use this method thoughtfully.

Additional Tips for Reliable Google Drive Backups

• 📶 Keep a Stable Internet Connection – Especially during the initial sync or when handling large folders, an uninterrupted connection helps prevent failed uploads.
• 🔐 Use Two-Factor Authentication – Secure your Google account with 2FA to add an extra layer of protection against unauthorized access.
• 🧪 Test Your Backups Occasionally – Don’t just assume everything’s working. Try restoring a few files via the Google Drive web interface to ensure your data is actually recoverable.
• ⏱️ Consider Backup Scheduling Tools – If you're using third-party apps like Duplicati, ChronoSync, or rsync-based scripts, schedule them to run at regular intervals for better consistency.
• 🧹 Stick to User Data Only – Avoid syncing system directories like ~/Library or /Applications. Focus on folders like Documents, Photos, or project-specific directories.

If your backup needs go beyond simple folder syncing—like file versioning, encryption, or handling external drives—Google Drive works well with many third-party tools. These can extend its capabilities while keeping your files safe in the cloud.

How to Back Up macOS Folders to Google Drive Using OurClone

OurClone makes it simple to back up your macOS folders directly to Google Drive using secure OAuth 2.0 authorization. There's no need to mess with manual token setup — just sign in through your browser, grant access, and you're ready to back up your data in minutes.

• 🔐 Authorize Google Drive via Browser – Start by adding Google Drive as a cloud destination inside OurClone. Click Add Storage and select Google Drive. A browser window will open automatically — log in to your Google account and allow the requested permissions. Once approved, Google Drive will be listed as a connected storage provider.



• 🗄️ Create a Backup Repository – Go to the Backup section and click Create Repository. Choose a destination path in Google Drive, like /macos-backups. Assign a repository name and create a strong encryption password — you’ll need this password to restore your backups later, so keep it somewhere safe.



• 📁 Select Folders to Back Up – After your repository is ready, click New Backup and choose which local folders to include. This can be anything from ~/Desktop and ~/Documents to external drives or custom directories. Once confirmed, hit Backup to begin.



• 📊 Monitor Backup Progress – Go to the Task panel to see real-time progress updates. OurClone encrypts data locally and uploads it in blocks, which allows you to pause and resume large backups without restarting.



• 🔄 Restore Your Data Anytime – Need your files back? Open your repository, select the desired backup version, click Restore, and enter your encryption password. You can restore to the original location or pick a new folder — your file structure will be preserved.

With OAuth 2.0 handling secure authorization and OurClone managing encryption, retries, and automation, backing up to Google Drive becomes a set-it-and-forget-it solution. Whether you're working with a few folders or entire drives, your data stays protected and recoverable — even if your Mac doesn’t.

How to Confirm Your Backup in OurClone