How to Use Google Drive Offline on Linux

Edited 3 weeks ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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Google Drive is a cloud storage service that allows you to store files online and access them from anywhere. However, using it offline, especially on Linux systems, can seem a bit complicated since Google has heavy support for Windows and macOS, while Linux is often left out of the equation when it comes to official desktop applications. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the steps needed to access Google Drive offline on a Linux machine. This includes discovering some third-party tools, setting up those tools, and then accessing your files offline.

Understanding Google Drive offline access

Before we discuss the specifics of using Google Drive offline, let's understand what offline access involves. When you use Google Drive offline, you are essentially accessing files that are stored locally on your device. Whenever you have an internet connection, these files are synced with your Google Drive in the cloud. This ensures that all the changes you make are updated in real-time, provided you have internet connectivity at that time.

Why use Google Drive offline?

Using Google Drive offline can be very beneficial in many scenarios. If you travel often or have inconsistent internet access, offline access to Google Drive ensures that you can continue working without interruption. Offline access allows you to read and edit files, which are then synced the next time you are online. Additionally, using it offline ensures that you always have a local backup of important files.

Challenges of using Google Drive on Linux

Although Linux is a robust and open-source operating system, it does not have an official Google Drive client. This often forces Linux users to resort to other means to access their files offline. Fortunately, since Linux has a vast repository of applications and is highly customizable, many third-party applications can facilitate this process.

Tools to access Google Drive offline on Linux

Many open-source applications allow synchronization between Google Drive and Linux systems. Let's talk about some common applications that can help you get offline access.

1. rclone

Rclone is a command-line program for managing files on cloud storage. It has support for various cloud storage services, including Google Drive. Rclone syncs files between your file system and Google Drive. Although Rclone does not provide a native graphical user interface, it is extremely powerful and offers many options for synchronization and backup. Below we will explain in detail how to use Rclone to set up Google Drive offline access.

Installing rclone

To install Rclone, follow these steps:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install rclone

This will install Rclone on a Debian-based system. For other distributions, see the Rclone documentation for relevant installation instructions.

Configuring rclone for Google Drive

After installation, set up Rclone to access your Google Drive. Run the following command in the terminal:

rclone config

This will launch an interactive setup wizard. Follow these steps in the wizard:

1. Select the new remote and give it a name (e.g. mygoogledrive).
2. Select Google Drive from the list of storage options.
3. Follow the instructions to get the client ID and secret from the APIs and services section of Google Cloud Platform.
4. Set the workspace to give Rclone full access.
5. Access the authentication URL provided by Rclone to give it access to your Google Drive.
6. Complete the configuration.

Mount Google Drive

To make your Google Drive act like a local drive, mount it using Rclone:

rclone mount mygoogledrive: ~/GoogleDrive

Replace mygoogledrive with your expected remote name. Access files in the ~/GoogleDrive directory. This approach makes it easy to use Google Drive as if it were part of your local file system.

2. inSync

InSync provides a GUI client to sync Google Drive with Linux. Although it is not open-source or free, it offers a user-friendly interface and extensive support for other cloud services as well.

Installing InSync

Download InSync from the official website and follow the installation instructions for your specific Linux distribution.

Set up inSync

After installation, open InSync and sign in with your Google account credentials. Select files and folders to sync offline. InSync runs silently in the background, keeping files updated.

3. Overgrive

OverGrive is another paid solution that works similar to Google Drive's native application on Linux. It supports document conversion and various sync modes.

Installing OverGrive

After purchasing, download OverGrive from their website. Follow the appropriate instructions for your distribution.

Configuring OverGrive

Launch OverGrive after installation, link your Google account and specify the folders to sync. It also offers selective sync to reduce bandwidth usage.

Dealing with conflicts and coordination problems

Whenever you sync files between your computer and Google Drive, you may face file conflicts, where two versions of a file have different changes. It is best to manually review those versions and combine the necessary changes. Additionally, regular updates and keeping a close eye on the sync status helps manage errors.

Security and privacy

Even when you're offline, it's important to protect your data. Tools like Rclone offer end-to-end encryption features. Encrypt your files to keep them secure, so privacy is maintained.

Final thoughts

Accessing Google Drive offline on Linux is possible in just a few steps with the right tools and configuration. By understanding these applications and methods, you can effectively manage your files offline. The guide above will help you use Google Drive offline, maintaining productivity without the need for constant internet access.

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