Google ’s newBackup and Sync(15 GB free ; larger storage option usable for a fee ) software tries to leverage Google ’s subsist Google Drive and Google Photos products by contribute a data file - musical accompaniment option . It has a lot of limitation , but two key advantages . First , it ’s simple . Second , it mould with Google ’s free computer memory tier and all its compensate tiers for Google Drive , which is pretty low-priced .
Simplicity in file backups help assure that people in reality back up their files . Nearly every day , I learn a fib of heartache about someone who erased photos or a drive or had a hardware loser and had made no other copy . ( The best fourth dimension to back up is startingright now ! ) I typically steer the great unwashed to an online host backup service with a savorless rate for limitless storage , likeBackblaze . Or , if they desire more control over encryption and where filing cabinet are identify , ArqorChronoSync .
However , if that ’s too much overhead or too complicated for someone to manage , Google Backup and Sync can at least protect selected folder with no intervention . It ’s really three product chat up into one , which is why it ’s hard to trap down precisely what it extend :
Each of those is optional . Let ’s start with what it does before I tell you what it does n’t . It does let you select folders anywhere on inner and attached volumes that it synchronise with Google Drive memory in a Computers section . It can ask if you want to backup files on attached USB private road and camera cards , and remember that preference , just like Dropbox .
The sync menu shows progress , include trailer .
The system recognizes photo and videos and let you determine a predilection you may be familiar with if you were already using Google Photos ’ uploader . If you choose High Quality , your look-alike and moving-picture show storage is n’t counted at all , but Google may compact files below 16 megapixels ( 16MP ) , and it downsamples larger image to 16MP . For video , it says that it might increase condensation slightly on 1080p and coarser video , and it downsamples picture above 1080p to that resolution . However , you could opt for Original Quality , which plainly copies the file cabinet and count the file cabinet ’s size against your quota .
Because Backup and Sync efficaciously incorporates Google Photos sync , there ’s a preference that let you add all uploaded medium to Google Photos as well .
When you visit drive.google.com via a web web browser app or a smartphone app , you ’ll see My Drive for single file synchronise via Google Drive and Computers for a lean of leaflet and their content that have been endorse up . you could opt with Backup and Sync to sync Google Drive to your computer , but you do n’t have to ; you could use it entirely for backup and approach Google Drive via the web .
The package is smart enough to warn you when you blue-pencil something in a backing solidifying whether you want to delete it from cloud storage , admit in both Google Drive and Google Photos when spiritualist is involved .
Google Backup and Sync warn you before deleting files in cloud storage .
Google Backup and Sync does n’t offer backup snapshot , so you ca n’t choose a brochure or a computer and take a point in meter from which you desire all files in those fix to be restored . This can be useful if you ’re try out to rewind the clock on a project or filing cabinet that went corrupt . you’re able to select booklet or your estimator in the web app and download all the current versions of files in whatever you select .
For single file , whether uploaded via backup or sync , you could select the point , get across the three vertical dit bar , and then choose Manage Versions as well as review an activity log of change . you could choose among former versions of that filing cabinet .
Bottom line
Is Backup and Sync neither Pisces nor poultry in trying to be too many things ? Not quite . It ’s better to have a exclusive , elastic spell of software running on your Mac instead of the late two different sync apps for Google Drive and Google Photos , while also adding this backup feature film . The package is coherent and not confusing , and it ’s an sweetening for masses already tied into Google ecosystem . Adding backup completes the picture for them while only potentially adding recurring storage costs if they bump up a grade or more .
For those who put in few apps or entirely from the Mac App Store and are primarily implicated about backing up document and media in a few gentle to discover location , like the home base pamphlet ’s Documents and Photos booklet , Google Backup and Sync might be enough . If you need anything more flexible and comprehensive , bump up to software that bid the full compass of prick for indorse up data file , applications , and preferences , and providing in force funding for restore as well .
