When it comes to sharing and storing, cloud is a huge asset. There's an abundance of cloud drives — Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, Dropbox, Amazon S3 — to help us safely store important video files, documents, photos, and more. And if you mount cloud storage as local drive, you can extend its power on your computer even more.
ExpanDrive lets you actually mount your Google Drive account as a virtual drive, just like a USB Drive, on Mac or Windows. It adds Google Drive to Finder so you can browse and access your Drive account without needing to first sync your files, which takes up time and space on your laptop. Mount Google Drive. Your Google Drive files will always stay with you thanks to CloudMounter. All your online data is in your pocket! Amazon S3 file manager. CloudMounter can be a great solution for Amazon S3 users. This cloud manager is the best choice for cloud file management.
How to mount cloud storages as local drives
Even if you're connecting external cloud drives, you can absolutely own them and access cloud storage as a local drive. Connect, see what's on your cloud, share with friends and collaborate—it gets easier if you have some extra storage. You can use both manual and automated ways to sync your remote drives.
For every remote drive, there's a recipe on how to add and use storage. Plus, you can install software that will help you get access to any drive right from Finder. The CloudMounter app is a good choice, which will allow you to work with files stored online in the same manner as the local files on your computer. The app makes it easier to do things like move files between the cloud storage apps without needing to manually copy the files to your computer first. Your content is securely encrypted and you can set up SSH File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) to mount remote SFTP drives. Everyone is happy.
Add your cloud drive to Finder
Download Setapp and get an easy way to mount your network drives and manage external storage from Finder.
How to map Google Drive
While Google Drive integrates with tons of other services created by Google, it expands your file management flexibility. Here's all you need to know about how to sync Google Drive and make the most out of its functionality.
Mount Google cloud storage as fast network drive
You can add Google Drive to Finder by default by going into your Applications folder and launching Google Drive. You will need to enter your login details for your Google account to sign in. The beauty of Google Drive is that you can connect both personal and team accounts — zero limitations. Map a Team Drive if you're working on files collectively with your team, map specific drives as a drive letter, and configure folders with ease.
For more functionality, connect your FTP Google Drive account to your local drive with CloudMounter to have better access to your documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. Once you link your account on your computer, you'll be able to open or move files directly from Mac's Finder as if they were a part of your local drive.
How to add Google Drive to Finder:
- Open the CloudMounter app by clicking on New Drive
- Click on the Google Drive link in the Connections window
- Enter your Google Drive login details
- Click Mount
- You'll see your Google Drive appear in your Finder along with your computer's hard drive
- Click on the Google Drive folder to see all the files from your Google Drive
To open a file from your Google Drive in your Finder, use the drop-down menu to click View on google.drive.com to have the file open on your browser.
Drive File Stream, Backup & Sync: The superpowers of Google Drive
To simplify your storage management, you can use Drive File System — a valuable Google Drive desktop shortcut. This allows you to access storage via a handy app that you can download on Google Drive Help. With Drive File System you can manage content just as you do on a local drive:
- Save shared drives or separate files offline.
- Flexibly manage document access permissions.
- Track changes to your Google docs in a real time.
- Switch between your Google Drive accounts.
Basically, Drive File Stream is like an additional hard drive that gives you more space for docs without draining your storage.
Backup & Sync is another asset of Google Drive which you'll probably need if you want to sync folders. Just as Dropbox, it allows to back up files from computer to the cloud keeping your data synced. It also works with sharing files across computers.
Before you decide to embrace Google Drive's apps, consider there are limitations like the following:
- Google Drive provides 15GB of free storage, so you have to pay if you need more.
- Backup & Sync is no longer supported on macOS before 10.10.
- If you have multiple doc revisions, they will be available online. On your computer, you'll be able to access the latest version only.
- Files shared with you don't affect your storage.
You can use Google Drive offline with ease and if you don't have an internet connection, you can still access your files on a Mac.
Mounting Dropbox on Mac
Dropbox is one of the most popular alternatives, offering 2 GB of free storage and 1 TB for $9.99 per month with a pro plan. Here's how you expand your drive on Mac with Dropbox:
- Download Dropbox from the official website and install the app—it should appear in your menu bar.
- Sign in to your Dropbox account (if you have one) or sign up to complete the registration.
- Open your Dropbox folder and provide a password.
- Use the Dropbox folder to store files, just as any other folder on your Mac.
By connecting your Dropbox account to Finder with CloudMounter, you'll have your Dropbox files within reach from your local computer drive in case you want to open, move, share, delete, or make any other file manipulations. Once you set up your Dropbox account with CloudMounter, you'll be able to link multiple Dropbox accounts and you won't need to have dropbox.app installed on your computer.
Here's how to add Dropbox to Finder:
- Open the CloudMounter app by clicking on New Drive
- Click on the Dropbox link in the pop up window
- Enter your Dropbox account log in details
- Click Mount
- You'll see your Dropbox file appear in the Finder
- Click on the Dropbox folder to see all the files in your Dropbox account
- To share a file or directory from your Dropbox, click on Copy Dropbox Link
In addition to the basics of using Dropbox on your Mac, there are many features that make the most of the service to keep your files safe.
How to mount Amazon Cloud Drive on a Mac
If you go with Amazon Cloud Drive as an additional source of storage, here's how to mount it on macOS:
- Create an Amazon account if you don't have one and sign in.
- For an easy access from desktop, download an Amazon Cloud Drive app.
- Access cloud drive website from the menu bar icon (will be added once the installation is complete).
To save files in Amazon Cloud Drive, drag and drop or add via the upload button. Unlike Google Drive and Dropbox, the drive window is not available from desktop, so you'll have to access the website. Another problem with Amazon Cloud Drive is that it doesn't offer any free storage. On the other hand, it's a great deal if you need unlimited storage—with Amazon, it will cost you $11.99 for photos and $59.99 for everything annually.
You can use your Amazon Cloud Drive to manage and access files within your computer's Finder. To do that launch CloudMounter app. Once connected, you'll be able to easily share a file in your Amazon Cloud Drive by copying the HTTP or Torrent link directly from the Finder. It's also possible to make any Amazon Cloud bucket private or public from the Finder menu.
- In a new connection box, click on Amazon S3
- Enter a connection name of your choosing
- Enter the Access Key and Secret Key
- Add your Server endpoint
- Add a bucket name or use / to indicate a root directory
- Click Mount
How to add iCloud Drive to Finder
To find files that you've downloaded or uploaded using Apple's cloud storage system, you can access your iCloud Drive from a browser window or directly on the Finder. You don't need an external app to find your iCloud Drive on your Mac — it should already be built-in to your finder.
- Open the Finder on your Mac
- Locate your iCloud Drive icon on the sidebar
How to mount OneDrive as a network drive
Mounting Microsoft's OneDrive is easy on Windows—but if you want to access OneDrive on macOS, there's no native support for it. Luckily, you can mount with Cloudmounter. Just as any other external cloud storage service, OneDrive will be added to Finder:
- Open the CloudMounter app by clicking on New Drive
- Click on the OneDrive link in the pop up window
- Enter your Microsoft account log in details
- Click Mount
- You'll see your OneDrive file appear in the Finder
Mount FTP as drive and connect SFTP server to Finder
If you want to connect a storage device to a server, instead of a computer, you'll have to map a network Drive. CloudMounter provides several easy options on mounting remote FTP and SFTP servers from the app:
- Open the CloudMounter app and select the connection method (FTP, FTP with TLS/SSL, FTP with Implicit SCL, or SFTP)
- Type the connection name as well as specify server's address and port (19 for FTP or FTP with TLS/SSL, 990 for FTP with Implicit SCL, and 22 for SFTP)
- Enter your login details or choose Anonymous login if you don't have an account
- Choose the connection mode and remote path
- Click Mount
How to manage your files more effectively
To make the most out of CloudMounter, use it in combination with file management software. Although Finder is definitely a must-have, the workflow you get with Apple's default file manager is pretty basic. For instance, it doesn't allow to rename multiple files at once. Neither is it a handy tool if you need to check free storage for cloud drives you use.
There are at least two alternatives that can expand CloudMounter's functionality in the ways that Finder can't. Both will work CloudMounter if you use it for mapping cloud storage.
Forklift is one of the most advanced file manager apps that can help you manage your files more effectively. Once you connect your external cloud storage solutions to your local drive, you can use this robust file manager to help sort and access your files. Here's how you can professionally manage your files using Forklift:
- Access and manage files quickly and remotely by connecting to SFTP, FTP, Amazon S3, Google Drive across networks
- The Forklift Mini on your menu bar allows you to mount and upload files even if Forklift isn't running
- Find and synchronize new, duplicate, or modified files
- Play audio and video files or look at previews of images and PDFs on local and remote drives within the Forklift app
- Rename a large number of files at the same time
Another great app that can substitute Finder is DCommander. DCommander is a robust dual-pane file manager that offers a split screen view of the files you're working with. Www safari browser com. Here's why you should consider dropping Finder and switch to DCommander:
- Copy files faster with DCommander's advanced copying mechanism
- Visualize your files more effectively with a dual-panel window
- Drag and drop your files between panels or to external applications
- Find specific files that Spotlight may have missed
- View Google Spreadsheets via Dropbox
Use this power app combo to access the cloud through Finder
There are tools that allow you to access cloud-stored files directly in your local computer file finder without having to individually access each separate cloud storage service through a web browser. Mac storage managers such as the CloudMounter make it easy to bring all your external cloud storage services together from the cloud into your computer's Finder.
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Google drive is a great FREE cloud storage service. It allows you to store your data in the cloud so you can access it anywhere in the world, from just about any device. In this Linux Quick Tip we will show you how to easily mount your Google Drive using Gnome Online Accounts. Once mounted, you can access, copy, and delete your files from the GUI or the command line.
Set Up Google Drive in Gnome Online Accounts
Let's fire up Gnome Online Accounts and add our account. Go to Settings > Online Accounts to access the Add an account screen pictured below.
Click on Google and you will be asked to provide your gmail user account credentials. pass two factor authentication if enabled, and grant Gnome access to your account.
Once you are authenticated, you will be asked what features you want access to. You can select whatever you want here. Some of my friends like to enable everything so they can use the Gnome native apps. Since this article is about mounting Google Drive in Linux, we only need to ensure Files is turned on. Make sure the switch next to Files is on, and click the x to close the dialog box.
Now you will see that your Google account is connected. Once you are at this point, you are ready to start using Google Drive.
Access Google Drive From Linux GUI
Now that your account is active, you can start using Google Drive. If you open 'Files' you will see a new drive on the left menu with your gmail address as it's name. This is your Google Drive and you can copy, delete, and rename files from it just like you would any other folder.
Now that you can access Google Drive from your desktop, so can all of your apps. You can use your favorite backup tool (Deja Dup?) to copy your important files to Google Drive.
Access Google Drive from Linux Command Line
Here is where this became really useful for me. I wanted to access Google Drive from the command line so I can use rsync to synchronize my Documents directory with Google Drive.
Gnome uses it's gvfs (GNOME Virtual file system) to mount Google Drive with your account. The default location for a gvfs mounted drive is /run/user//gvfs//. Of course you have to replace with your UID and with the Google Drive connection name.
You can your UID by using the echo command like so:
Or you can use the following command to add it on the fly:
Mount Google Drive Colab
Here is it in action:
As you can see above, Google Drive doesn't show the 'display-name' of the file, but rather the ID of the file. This can make it hard to know what file you are going to be accessing. You can get a list with the filenames by using the gio command.
Because I use this so often, I created an alias to quickly get a listing. I added the following to my ~/.bashrc file.
Mount Hard Drive Windows 10
Now I can just lg when I want a listing with the common names.
Mount Google Drive On Linux
Now that I have this setup, I use rsync to synchronize my Documents folder with Google Drive. Now no matter where I am I can log into my gmail account and have access to all my documents. If you are interested in how this works leave a comment below!
Conclusion
There you have it, a simple method for connecting and mounting your Google drive on your Linux system. I use this every day and love it.
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