How to Sync Files with Rclone and Google Drive

If you’ve ever wanted a simple way to copy files between your computer and Google Drive, you’re not alone. I used to email myself files or drag and drop things into the browser. That got old fast. Then I found Rclone—a tool that made syncing files easy and even kind of fun (yes, nerd fun counts).

In this post, I’ll show you step-by-step how to use Rclone with Google Drive to keep your files in sync. If you’re new to this, don’t worry. I’ll keep everything simple.

What Is Rclone?

Rclone (think of it as “remote clone”) is a free, open-source program that lets you move files between your computer and cloud storage. It works with Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, and many others. But today, we’ll just focus on Google Drive.

If you’ve heard of commands like cp or rsync in Linux or macOS, Rclone feels familiar. But if that’s new to you, no problem. You’ll learn the basics in no time.

Why Use Rclone?

Here’s why I like using Rclone with Google Drive:

I don’t have to open my browser to upload or download.
It works with folders, not just single files.
It saves time, especially when syncing big files.

You also get more control. You can choose exactly which folders you want to back up. And you can automate the process, so you don’t have to do it manually every time.

Have you ever tried using Google Drive’s web interface to upload a huge folder? I have. It’s like watching a snail cross the road. Rclone is much faster and more reliable.

What You’ll Need

Before we begin, make sure you have:

A computer running Windows, macOS, or Linux
An internet connection
A Google account

Let’s get started.

Step 1: Download and Install Rclone

Go to rclone.org/downloads and download the right version for your computer.

For Linux:

Open Terminal.
Paste this command:

curl https://rclone.org/install.sh | sudo bash

Done. You’ve got Rclone.

Step 2: Set Up Rclone with Google Drive

Let’s connect Rclone to your Google Drive.

Open Terminal or Command Prompt.
Type this and press Enter:

rclone config

You’ll see a menu. It looks old-school, but it works great.

Choose n for “New remote”.
Name it something like gdrive. This is just a nickname.
For the storage type, pick drive.
Press Enter through most options. It will ask if you want to use auto config. Say y (yes).
A browser will open. Sign in with your Google account and give Rclone permission.
When it’s done, close the browser.

Back in the terminal, Rclone will save your settings. You’re done setting up.

A Quick Tip

If the auto-config doesn’t work (maybe on a server), choose n and follow the manual steps. But for personal use, the auto method is easiest.

Step 3: Sync Your Files

Now the fun part. Let’s sync some files.

Here’s the basic command:

rclone sync /your/folder gdrive:/BackupFolder

What this does:

Takes everything in /your/folder
Sends it to your Google Drive into BackupFolder

If the folder doesn’t exist in Google Drive, Rclone will create it.

Want to copy without deleting anything? Use this instead:

rclone copy /your/folder gdrive:/BackupFolder

I use this when I just want to back up my stuff without removing files on either end.

Warning: rclone sync makes the destination match the source. That means if you delete something locally, it deletes it in Drive, too. Use copy if you want to be safe.

Let’s Break It Down

Here’s a list of useful Rclone commands:

copy – backs up without deleting
sync – makes both places match exactly
ls – lists files in the remote
mkdir – makes a new folder in Drive
delete – removes files (be careful!)

What If You Want to Do the Opposite?

You can also pull files from Google Drive to your computer:

rclone sync gdrive:/BackupFolder /your/local/folder

This is useful if you’ve been using another computer or lost some files and need them back.

Again, if you’re nervous, use copy instead of sync.

Automate the Backup

I don’t want to type commands every day. You probably don’t either.

That’s where automation comes in. On Windows, use Task Scheduler. On macOS or Linux, use cron.

Example cron job (daily at midnight):

0 0 * * * rclone sync /your/folder gdrive:/BackupFolder

Now your backups run while you sleep. Unless you’re like me and sleep at 3 a.m.—then it just runs while you’re gaming.

Benefits of Using Rclone

Saves time: No more drag and drop.
Reliable: Fewer errors than the browser.
Flexible: Works with many cloud services.
Lightweight: No big app running in the background.
Private: Doesn’t track or sell your data.

Would you rather have a clunky app eating your RAM, or a tiny tool that just works? I know my choice.

Things to Watch Out For

Here’s what I learned the hard way:

sync deletes files at the destination. Always double-check.
File names with special characters can be tricky.
Google has upload limits (750GB per day).
Use --dry-run to test what will happen.

rclone sync /your/folder gdrive:/BackupFolder --dry-run

No files will move. Just a preview. Like a movie trailer, but for backups.

Final Thoughts

I used to think backing up was a chore. But with Rclone, it’s more like a helpful robot assistant. You set it up once, and it keeps working quietly in the background.

If you like clean, command-line tools, or just want more control, give Rclone a try. You’ll feel like a pro in no time. Or at least, you’ll feel like a wizard with backup spells.

Need help? The Rclone docs are detailed and full of examples.

Try syncing one folder today. Start small. Then add more later.

After all, isn’t it better to be safe than to say, “Oops, I lost everything”? 🧠

Got questions? I’d love to hear what you’re working on or what you plan to back up first.