Google Backup and Sync: What Happened to the App?
Google Backup and Sync was a desktop application that let people back up selected folders from their computer to Google Drive and, optionally, Google Photos. It also synchronised files stored in Google Drive with a computer.
The app has been discontinued. Google replaced it with Google Drive for desktop, which brings together the main file-syncing and backup features of Backup and Sync and the former Drive File Stream app.
What Google Backup and Sync Used to Do
Backup and Sync allowed users to choose folders on a PC or Mac and upload their contents to Google Drive. Depending on the settings selected, photos and videos could also be uploaded to Google Photos. Users could access files online and synchronise Drive files with their computer.
Although the name suggested a complete computer backup, it did not create a full system image. It backed up selected files and folders, rather than every setting, application and component needed to restore a whole computer.
The Replacement: Google Drive for Desktop
Google Drive for desktop is Google’s current application for accessing and synchronising Drive files on a computer. It is available for Windows and macOS. You can install it from Google’s official Drive website and sign in with your Google Account.
The app offers two main ways to work with files stored in Drive:
- Stream files: Files appear on your computer but are mainly stored online. They take up less local storage, and you download files when you open them. Some files can be made available offline.
- Mirror files: Drive files are stored both online and on your computer. This makes them available offline but uses space on your device.
You can also choose folders on your computer to back up to Google Drive. Depending on the app’s available settings and your account, you may be able to back up selected folders to Google Photos as well. Check the current options in Drive for desktop, as features and labels can change.
How to Get Started
- Download Google Drive for desktop from Google’s official website.
- Install the application and sign in to your Google Account.
- Choose whether to stream or mirror files from Drive.
- Select any computer folders you want to back up and review where their contents will be stored.
- Check that files have finished uploading by visiting Google Drive or Google Photos in a web browser.
Important Things to Know
Syncing is not the same as a separate backup. If a file is deleted or changed, that change may be reflected across synchronised locations. For important documents and photographs, keep another copy on a separate drive or in another secure location.
Check your storage allowance. Google storage is generally shared across services such as Drive, Gmail and Google Photos. Large photo or video collections can use space quickly, so review your account’s storage before starting a large upload.
Review privacy and access settings. Files uploaded to a Google Account are subject to Google’s terms and privacy settings. Take care when sharing links, and check who can view or edit each file.
In Summary
Google Backup and Sync is no longer available as a current desktop app. Google Drive for desktop is its successor for synchronising Drive files and backing up selected computer folders. Before relying on it, check which folders are included, confirm that uploads are complete, and keep an additional copy of important data.
9 Key Questions About Google Backup and Sync and Its Successor, Google Drive for Desktop
- What was Google Backup and Sync?
- Is Google Backup and Sync still available?
- What replaced Google Backup and Sync?
- How do I download and install Google Drive for desktop?
- How do I back up folders from my computer to Google Drive?
- What is the difference between streaming and mirroring files in Google Drive for desktop?
- Can Google Backup and Sync back up photos to Google Photos?
- Where are files backed up with Google Drive for desktop stored?
- How do I fix Google Drive for desktop when files are not syncing?
What was Google Backup and Sync?
Google Backup and Sync was a desktop app for Windows and Mac that let users back up selected folders from their computer to Google Drive and, optionally, upload photos and videos to Google Photos. It could also synchronise files from Google Drive with a computer. Google has discontinued the app and replaced it with Google Drive for desktop, which provides the current tools for syncing Drive files and backing up selected folders.
Is Google Backup and Sync still available?
No, Google Backup and Sync is no longer available as a current app. Google replaced it with Google Drive for desktop, which lets you sync files with Google Drive and back up selected folders from your computer. Download it from Google’s official website, then check its settings to choose which files and folders to sync or back up.
What replaced Google Backup and Sync?
Google Backup and Sync was replaced by Google Drive for desktop, which combines its file-syncing and backup features. With Drive for desktop, you can stream or mirror files from Google Drive on your computer, and back up selected folders to your Google Account. The original Backup and Sync app is no longer supported, so download Drive for desktop from Google’s official website.
How do I download and install Google Drive for desktop?
To download and install Google Drive for desktop, visit Google’s official download page at google.com/drive/download and select the option for your computer. Open the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen instructions. Once installation is complete, launch Google Drive for desktop and sign in with your Google Account to choose how you want to sync or back up your files.
How do I back up folders from my computer to Google Drive?
Google Backup and Sync has been replaced by Google Drive for desktop. To back up folders, install Drive for desktop, sign in to your Google Account, open its settings and add the folders you want to back up under “My Computer”. Choose to sync them with Google Drive, then check that the files have uploaded successfully. Make sure you have enough Google storage, and remember that syncing is not a substitute for keeping a separate copy of important files.
What is the difference between streaming and mirroring files in Google Drive for desktop?
In Google Drive for desktop, streaming keeps most of your Drive files online and shows them on your computer without storing them all locally, saving disk space; files download when you open them, though you can make selected files available offline. Mirroring stores a copy of your Drive files both online and on your computer, so they’re available without an internet connection but use more local storage.
Can Google Backup and Sync back up photos to Google Photos?
Yes. Google Backup and Sync could upload selected photos and videos from your computer to Google Photos, provided you chose that option in the app’s settings. Backup and Sync has since been discontinued and replaced by Google Drive for desktop, which can also back up selected folders to Google Photos. Check the upload settings and your Google Account storage before starting, as photos and videos count towards your storage allowance.
Where are files backed up with Google Drive for desktop stored?
Files backed up using Google Drive for desktop are stored in your Google Account online, rather than solely on your computer. In Google Drive on the web, look under Computers and select the name of the computer you backed them up from. Files synchronised with My Drive are found there instead. When backing up, check the selected folders and destination in the app to confirm where your files will appear.
How do I fix Google Drive for desktop when files are not syncing?
If Google Drive for desktop isn’t syncing, first check your internet connection and make sure you’re signed in to the correct Google Account with enough storage available. Click the Drive icon in the taskbar or menu bar to check for error messages or paused syncing, then resume syncing or restart the app. Confirm that the affected files are in a folder selected for syncing, are not still uploading, and don’t have unsupported names or types. If the problem continues, update or restart Drive for desktop; as a last resort, disconnect and reconnect your account, taking care not to delete local files that haven’t uploaded. You can check whether files are online by visiting Google Drive in a browser.