Google Drive for Desktop (Upgrade Process for Mac Users)

Google Drive for Desktop (Upgrade Process for Mac Users)

This article will cover

  1. What is Google Drive for desktop?
  2. Why it's necessary to upgrade from Google Backup and Sync to Google Drive for desktop
  3. How to upgrade to Google Drive Desktop on your Mac
  4. How to start using Drive for desktop

You will need

  1. A Mac laptop or desktop computer
  2. Google Backup and Sync installed and in use on the computer
  3. A working Havergal Google account

Introduction - What is Google Drive for desktop?

Drive for desktop is a software application that keeps your files in sync between the cloud (server computers on the world wide web) and your computer. Syncing is the process of downloading files from the cloud and uploading files from your computer’s hard drive so that the files on your computer match the files in the cloud. If you edit, delete, or move a file in one location, the same change happens in the other location. That way, your files are always up to date and backed up. 

NOTE: Drive for desktop performs the same basic functions that Google Backup and Sync app does.

1 - Why must we upgrade?

In 2021 Google was in the process of merging its Drive business app (File Stream) and its Drive consumer app (Backup and Sync) into a single app called Drive for desktop. According to Google, "This creates a powerful and unified sync client for everyone who uses Drive, whether for business or personal purposes."

All Havergal faculty and staff are required to use Drive for Desktop, since the Backup and Sync app is no longer functional.

2 - How to upgrade 

2.1 Overview

Upgrading is easy, but it can take a while. There are four overall steps that will be explained below:
  1. Install the Drive for desktop application
  2. Configure the app settings
  3. Wait for the initial sync operation to finish
  4. Remove the old Backup and Sync application

2.2 Installation

You should have been automatically prompted to install Drive for desktop via a pop up message that appeared on your screen if you are still using Backup and Sync. It would look similar to this:



Select the UPGRADE button and follow the on-screen prompts to install the Drive for desktop app and complete the upgrade.

If you are not automatically prompted to install or upgrade to Drive for desktop, or want to start the upgrade before the automatic prompt appears, you may install it manually. To do so, open the Get started with Google Drive for desktop support article and follow the Download & install Google Drive for desktop instructions.

2.3 Configure the settings

One of the important differences between Drive for desktop and Backup and Sync is that Drive for desktop doesn’t allow you to select which files/folders to sync: it’s everything in your Drive account or nothing! Because of this, one of the options you will be presented with during the installation or upgrade is whether to stream or mirror your files. Here's a comparison of the main features of each option:

Steam files option:
  1. The icons of all files and folders are visible on your computer
  2. A file is not downloaded to your device until you double click on its icon to open it
  3. This takes up much less storage space on your computer
  4. You can select specific files/folders to make available when you're offline (i.e. not connected to the internet)

Mirror files option:
  1. The icons of all files and folders are visible on your computer
  2. All files/folders are downloaded during installation and stored on your computer, whether you need them or not
  3. This takes up a lot of storage space on your computer
NOTE: Many users have significant amounts of data in their My Drive in the cloud, which can easily fill or exceed the storage capacity of your hard drive and drastically reduce your computer’s performance. For this reason, we strongly recommend that you select the Stream files option.

2.4 Wait for the sync to finish

Whichever option you choose, the app will perform an initial synchronization sync all of the files and folders in your Google Drive to ensure they are all transferred to the Drive for desktop app. The more files and folders that you have, the longer this process will take. Users with a large number of files and folders may see this process run for 2 to 3 days.

NOTE: This initial sync takes much longer if you chose the Mirror Files option, since copies of all files and folders are being downloaded to your computer, not just their icons.

2.5 Remove Backup and Sync

When the installation or upgrade process is complete, you should be automatically prompted to remove Backup and Sync. Please choose agree and follow the uninstall prompts.


If you are not prompted, you may remove the Backup and Sync app manually. To do this, please follow the Uninstall apps instructions in the Install and uninstall apps from the internet or disc on Mac support article.


When the uninstall process is complete, the old Google Drive folder on your computer will be automatically renamed as Google Drive (not syncing):


Review the contents of the Google Drive (not syncing) folder to confirm that all files in it are now available in your My Drive in the cloud. Once you have confirmed this, you must manually delete the Google Drive (not syncing) folder by dragging it to the trash on your computer.

3 - How to start using Drive for desktop

3.1 Accessing My Drive

With Drive for desktop, you can access your Google Drive files using these steps:
  1. Use the Google Drive link in the Locations section of your Finder sidebar
  2. Select My Drive:


3.2 Accessing shared drives

With Drive for desktop, you can access your Google Shared Drive files using these steps:

  1. Select the Google Drive link in the Locations section of your Finder sidebar
  2. Select Shared drives:

Additional resources

In-house resources

Official documentation

Last Update: May 17, 2022


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