Google Inc. Wednesday announced a new tool called Backup and Sync that will allow users to backup all of their files and folders from a Mac or personal computer to their Google Drive. The new tool will start rolling out to users on June 28.

The new tool is the latest version of Google Drive for Mac/PC and is integrated with the Google Photos desktop uploader. Backup and Sync is primarily intended for consumer users, while enterprise users who need access to large corporate data sets will eventually get access to Drive File Stream, which is currently in an early adopter program.

Backup and Sync

When the Backup and Sync tool starts rolling out on June 28, the app features a simple interface that will allow users to select which files on their Mac or PC should be synced automatically.

Once users sign in with their Google Account, they will see the above screen where they can select which folders they want to continuously sync to Google Drive. Each folder will list the current file size that will be uploaded.

Google Drive’s free tier gives users access to 15 gigabytes of storage, which should be fine for the daily backup of a few folders. For users that have larger files on their Mac or PC the 15GB could be used up very quickly.

Google Drive does have affordable storage packages, which cost $1.99 per month (or $19.99 billed annually) for 100GB, $9.99 per month (or $99.99 billed annually) for 1TB or $99.99 per month for a massive 10TB of storage.     

To upgrade your storage plan, go to www.google.com/settings/storage on your Mac or PC > select your preferred storage plan > enter your payment information > click Subscribe. Your new storage can take up to 24 hours to reflect.

Drive File Stream

Google’s enterprise-focused solution is the Drive File Stream that will be made generally available to all G Suite Basic, Business, Enterprise, Education and Nonprofit domains later this year. If you want early access you can sign up for the early adopter program.

When the rollout of Backup and Sync starts in two weeks, G Suite users will obviously not automatically be upgraded to the new tool. If administrators have allowed Google Drive for Mac/PC in their organization, users will be able to download and upgrade to Backup and Sync. This option won’t be possible for organizations that have disallowed Google Drive for Mac/PC.

Once available, Drive File Stream will allow users to automatically stream a file they want to view or edit directly from the cloud on-demand, without the need to download the file first. Files that are used most often will be available in the background intelligently while users can also specify which files they want available for offline use. With Drive File Stream, users can continue to use the same apps like Microsoft Word and Adobe Photoshop with any changes automatically being saved to Drive.

Image: blunkswife; Flickr