Unified Google Drive app for Windows and Mac expected to be released soon for September

Google announced earlier this year that it plans to replace the Google Drive app for Windows and Mac with a unified version. The new app will be based on Drive File Stream, developed for corporate Google Suite users, and should arrive in the coming months, putting an end to the Backup and Sync app.

According to information from the Website XDA Developers, Google will already begin distribution of the new desktop application from next week. However, users will not be forced or asked to make the switch for now. Only from August 18 that notices will be issued informing the need to make the exchange to continue synchronizing the files.

In September, all Windows and Mac users are expected to switch to the new app, as on October 1, the Drive Backup and Sync app will no longer work. It will no longer be possible to log in and you will only be able to sync the files with the new Drive desktop app. This does not affect the files themselves, of course, you will only need to switch apps to view them. For Drive File Stream users, the process is much simpler, as the app has simply been renamed Google Drive for desktop. Users didn’t need to take any specific action for this to happen, and no feature was removed, just added.

Some features will be added, while others will be removed or adjusted. For example, the new Google Drive desktop app supports dark mode, while Backup and Sync doesn’t. The new app can also be integrated into Outlook calendar and Google Meet scheduling and supports real-time co-editing for Microsoft Office files. On the other hand, you won’t be allowed to choose specific folders to sync with Google Drive, although you can choose to stream only the files you need, rather than download them.

Feature	Backup and Sync	Drive File Stream	Drive for desktop
Use files in My Drive	Yes	Yes	Yes
Use files in shared drives	No	Yes, if your plan includes shared drives or you’re invited to a shared drive	Yes, if your plan includes shared drives or you’re invited to a shared drive
Sync only selected folders in My Drive to your computer	Yes	No, but you can stream files instead to save disk space	No, but you can stream files instead to save disk space
Sync only individual files in My Drive for offline use	No	Yes	Yes
Open and store non-Google files like Microsoft Office & Photoshop	Yes	Yes	Yes
See who’s editing with real-time presence in Microsoft Office	No	Yes	Yes
Integrates with Microsoft Outlook, Meet scheduling	No	Yes	Yes
Sync local folders, like Documents or Desktop, to Google Drive	Yes	No	Yes
Back up photos and videos to Google Photos	Yes	No	Yes
Back up photos and videos directly to Google Photos instead of Google Drive	No	No	Yes
Access multiple accounts at the same time	Yes	No	Yes
Upload Apple Photos library	Yes	No	Yes
Upload from USB	Yes	No	Yes
Dark mode	No	Yes	Yes
File extensions you can ignore	Yes	No	No

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Last updated on June 21st, 2023

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Gabby