linux

How to Install Google Drive on Ubuntu

Access Google Drive on Ubuntu through GNOME Online Accounts and the Files app, mount with rclone, use google-drive-ocamlfuse from a legacy PPA, or install the commercial Insync .deb—link your Google account and verify files appear in ~/gdrive or the sidebar.

Published

Updated

Read time 8 min read

Reviewed byDeepak Prasad

Install Google Drive on Ubuntu banner with Google Drive triangle icon and Ubuntu orange accent

Google Drive stores documents, photos, and backups in Google cloud storage. Unlike Windows and macOS, Google does not publish an official Linux desktop sync client—so Ubuntu users wire Drive in through GNOME Online Accounts (browse files in the Files app), rclone mount (modern CLI), legacy google-drive-ocamlfuse, or the commercial Insync .deb.

This guide covers how to install and use Google Drive on Ubuntu with four practical paths. Package versions below were checked on Ubuntu 25.04; the GNOME Settings flow matches stock Ubuntu Desktop on Wayland or X11.

Tested on: Ubuntu 25.04 (Plucky Puffin); kernel 6.14.0-37-generic; amd64.

NOTE
Pick one primary method for daily use. Running multiple FUSE mounts to the same Google account (rclone + ocamlfuse) causes duplicate mount points and confusing file paths.

Prerequisites

  • Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, 24.04 LTS, or newer (25.04 used for apt checks here) on x86_64.
  • sudo for apt installs and .deb packages.
  • A Google account with Drive storage (free tier includes 15 GB shared across Google services).
  • Desktop GNOME session for Method 1 (Settings and Files app)—SSH-only servers should use rclone (Method 2).
  • Outbound HTTPS to google.com, googleapis.com, and accounts.google.com.

See check Ubuntu version if you are unsure which release you are on.

Choose an install method

Method Best for Jump to
GNOME Online Accounts + Files Ubuntu Desktop users on stock GNOME who want Drive in the sidebar without extra packages Method 1
rclone mount CLI users, servers, and anyone who wants a mount point under ~/gdrive with scriptable sync Method 2
google-drive-ocamlfuse Users following older tutorials when the PPA still supports their Ubuntu release Method 3
Insync .deb Users who need full desktop sync, selective folders, and paid support Method 4

For most Ubuntu Desktop installs, start with GNOME Online Accounts. Use rclone when you need a terminal-driven mount or work over SSH.

Ubuntu Desktop ships GNOME Control Center, which includes Online Accounts. The backend package is gnome-online-accounts; on minimal spins it may be missing even when the desktop otherwise works.

Install the package with apt if Settings has no Online Accounts section:

bash 
sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y gnome-online-accounts

On Ubuntu 25.04 apt-cache policy reported:

text 
gnome-online-accounts:
  Candidate: 3.54.1-1
  1. Open Settings from the application menu (or run gnome-control-center in a terminal).
  2. Select Online Accounts in the left sidebar.
  3. Click Google, then sign in with your Google credentials in the browser window that opens.
  4. Approve the permissions Google requests for Drive, Calendar, and Mail as needed—enable Files / Google Drive access when prompted.
  5. Close Settings. Open the Files app (Nautilus).

Your Google account appears in the Files sidebar (often at the bottom under Other Locations or directly under the account label). Click it to browse My Drive, Shared with me, and other Drive locations. Files open on demand; this is not the same as downloading your entire Drive to disk.

Verify

  • In Files, confirm you can list folders and open a document from Drive.
  • In Settings → Online Accounts, the Google entry should show as connected.

This integration behaves similarly to other cloud accounts on GNOME—it is ideal for opening and saving files without a dedicated sync daemon. For Dropbox-style folder sync, see install Dropbox on Ubuntu or use rclone / Insync below.

Method 2: Mount Google Drive with rclone

rclone is a maintained CLI tool for cloud storage. Ubuntu ships it in universe; it supports Google Drive mounts via FUSE without a third-party PPA.

Install:

bash 
sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y rclone fuse3

On Ubuntu 25.04:

text 
rclone:
  Candidate: 1.60.1+dfsg-4ubuntu0.25.04.1

Configure a drive remote

Run the interactive wizard:

bash 
rclone config

Typical answers:

  • n — new remote
  • name: drive
  • storage: drive (Google Drive)
  • client_id / client_secret: press Enter for defaults
  • scope: 1 (full access) unless you need read-only
  • service_account_file: leave blank
  • Edit advanced config: n
  • Use auto config: y on a desktop (opens browser); on headless SSH use n and follow the printed rclone authorize steps on another machine
  • Configure as Shared Drive: n for personal My Drive
  • Confirm and quit with q

Mount and test

Create a mount point and mount (foreground for first test):

bash 
mkdir -p ~/gdrive
rclone mount drive: ~/gdrive --vfs-cache-mode writes

In another terminal:

bash 
ls ~/gdrive
rclone ls drive: | head
rclone about drive:

You should see Drive folders under ~/gdrive and quota details from rclone about.

Stop the foreground mount with Ctrl+C, then run in the background when satisfied:

bash 
rclone mount drive: ~/gdrive --vfs-cache-mode writes --daemon

Unmount later:

bash 
fusermount -u ~/gdrive
HINT
Add --vfs-cache-mode full for heavier read/write workloads; it uses more local disk under ~/.cache/rclone. For systemd autostart, create a user unit that runs the rclone mount command after login.

Method 3: google-drive-ocamlfuse (legacy PPA)

google-drive-ocamlfuse is an older FUSE client that mounts Google Drive to a local directory. It was popular before rclone matured, but maintenance depends on a third-party PPA that may not track the newest Ubuntu releases.

Add the PPA (only if Launchpad lists your codename—jammy, noble, plucky, etc.):

bash 
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:alessandro-strada/ppa
sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y google-drive-ocamlfuse

Honest limitations:

  • The PPA maintainer may not publish builds for Ubuntu 24.04+ or 25.04 immediately; apt install can fail with no installation candidate.
  • Google occasionally changes OAuth requirements; unmaintained FUSE clients break while rclone and GNOME Online Accounts keep working.
  • Treat this as a legacy fallback, not a first choice on new installs.

When the package installs, authenticate and mount:

bash 
mkdir -p ~/gdrive-ocaml
google-drive-ocamlfuse ~/gdrive-ocaml

First run opens a browser for Google sign-in. Verify:

bash 
df -h | grep google-drive-ocamlfuse
ls ~/gdrive-ocaml

Unmount:

bash 
fusermount -u ~/gdrive-ocaml

Method 4: Insync commercial .deb (optional)

Insync is a paid desktop client that syncs Google Drive (and OneDrive) to a local folder with selective sync, multiple accounts, and a tray icon—closest to the experience Google offers on other platforms.

  1. Download the .deb for your Ubuntu version from insynchq.com/downloads.
  2. Install with apt:
bash 
cd ~/Downloads
sudo apt install ./insync_*_amd64.deb
  1. Launch Insync from the application menu, sign in with Google, and choose which folders to sync (default sync root is often ~/Google Drive).

Insync requires a license after the trial. Use it when GNOME Online Accounts and rclone do not meet your workflow; skip it if you only need occasional file access.

Verify and daily use

Check Command / action
GNOME linked Settings → Online Accounts → Google shows connected
Browse in GUI Files → Google account → open a Drive folder
rclone remote rclone listremotes → drive:
rclone listing rclone ls drive: | head
Mount active mount | grep gdrive or df -h | grep gdrive
Quota rclone about drive:

Uninstall

GNOME Online Accounts:

  • Settings → Online Accounts → Google → Remove (or disconnect individual services).

rclone:

bash 
fusermount -u ~/gdrive 2>/dev/null
rclone config delete drive
sudo apt purge -y rclone
rm -rf ~/.config/rclone

google-drive-ocamlfuse:

bash 
fusermount -u ~/gdrive-ocaml 2>/dev/null
sudo apt purge -y google-drive-ocamlfuse
sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:alessandro-strada/ppa

Insync:

bash 
sudo apt purge -y insync
# Optional: rm -rf ~/Google\ Drive   # only when you intend to delete local sync data

Troubleshooting

Symptom Likely cause Fix
No Online Accounts in Settings Package not installed sudo apt install -y gnome-online-accounts and reopen Settings
Google sign-in fails in browser Blocked cookies or corporate proxy Try a personal network; allow third-party cookies for accounts.google.com
Drive missing in Files sidebar Account added but Files not restarted Sign out/in under Online Accounts; restart Files (nautilus -q)
rclone mount hangs FUSE not available sudo apt install fuse3; ensure user is in group that may use FUSE
Transport endpoint is not connected Stale FUSE mount fusermount -u ~/gdrive then remount
google-drive-ocamlfuse no candidate PPA lacks build for your codename Use rclone or GNOME Online Accounts instead
Insync .deb dependency errors Wrong Ubuntu build downloaded Pick the matching release from Insync downloads
Expecting full sync like Dropbox GNOME streams on demand Use rclone with cache, ocamlfuse, or Insync

References

Summary

Google does not ship an official Linux Drive client, but Ubuntu Desktop users can link Drive through Settings → Online Accounts → Google and browse files in the Files app—the simplest path on GNOME. rclone from Ubuntu universe (1.60.1 on 25.04) is the modern CLI alternative: rclone config a drive remote, rclone mount drive: ~/gdrive, and verify with rclone ls and rclone about.

google-drive-ocamlfuse remains in a legacy PPA that may not support the newest Ubuntu releases—prefer rclone when the PPA has no package. Insync is an optional paid .deb when you need full folder sync. Pick one method, link your Google account once, and confirm files appear before relying on it for daily work.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I install Google Drive on Ubuntu?

On Ubuntu Desktop with GNOME, open Settings → Online Accounts → Google, sign in, and browse Drive from the Files app sidebar. For a CLI mount, install rclone from apt, run rclone config to add a drive remote, then rclone mount drive: ~/gdrive.

2. Is there an official Google Drive desktop app for Linux?

Google does not ship a native Drive sync client for Linux like it does for Windows and macOS. Ubuntu users rely on GNOME Online Accounts (browse and open files), rclone or FUSE mounts (CLI), or third-party tools such as Insync.

3. What is the easiest way to use Google Drive on Ubuntu Desktop?

GNOME Online Accounts integrated with the Files (Nautilus) app is the simplest path on stock Ubuntu Desktop. Install gnome-online-accounts if Settings lacks Online Accounts, sign in with Google, and Drive appears under your account in the sidebar.

4. How do I mount Google Drive with rclone on Ubuntu?

Run sudo apt install -y rclone, then rclone config and create a remote of type drive. Authenticate in the browser, mkdir ~/gdrive, and run rclone mount drive: ~/gdrive --vfs-cache-mode writes. List files with rclone ls drive:.

5. Does google-drive-ocamlfuse still work on Ubuntu?

It can work when the alessandro-strada PPA publishes packages for your Ubuntu codename. On newer releases such as 24.04 and 25.04 the PPA may lag or lack builds—prefer GNOME Online Accounts or rclone instead of fighting an outdated PPA.

6. What is Insync for Google Drive on Ubuntu?

Insync is a commercial desktop sync client with selective sync, multiple-account support, and a real ~/Google Drive folder. Download the .deb from insynchq.com for your Ubuntu version. It is optional and paid beyond the trial.

7. Can I sync Google Drive like Dropbox on Ubuntu?

GNOME Online Accounts streams files on demand—it is not full two-way folder sync like Dropbox. For Dropbox-style sync on Ubuntu, use rclone mount with cache options, google-drive-ocamlfuse, or Insync. See our Dropbox install guide for a similar cloud app.

8. How do I uninstall or disconnect Google Drive on Ubuntu?

In Settings → Online Accounts, remove the Google account. For rclone, fusermount -u ~/gdrive and delete the remote with rclone config. For ocamlfuse run fusermount -u on the mount point. For Insync use sudo apt purge insync and remove its sync folder if you no longer need local copies.
Deepak Prasad

R&D Engineer

Founder of GoLinuxCloud with more than 15 years of expertise in Linux, Python, Go, Laravel, DevOps, Kubernetes, Git, Shell scripting, OpenShift, AWS, Networking, and Security. With extensive …

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