Hamza

Posted on Aug 7 • Originally published at tekmag.thsite.top

How to Replace Google Drive Desktop With Rclone: Sync Cloud Files From the Terminal

#rclone #googledrive #cloudstorage #terminal

rclone is a free, open-source command-line tool that replaces Google Drive's desktop app with a lighter, cross-platform sync solution. After setting it up with a one-time `rclone config` command, you can list, copy, and sync files directly from your terminal.

Google Drive's official desktop application is straightforward, but it runs as a background process that consumes RAM and disk resources even when idle. For users who prefer terminal workflows or need to sync across Linux systems, rclone offers a leaner alternative. The tool has been around since 2014 and supports over 70 cloud storage providers, with Google Drive being one of its most popular integrations.

The How-To Geek published a detailed walkthrough on August 6, 2026, documenting their switch from the official Google Drive app to rclone. The author noted the smaller footprint and the flexibility of scripting file operations through the terminal.

Key Takeaways

rclone is free and open-source with no subscription required
Supports Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, and 70+ other providers
Available for Linux, macOS, and Windows
Uses terminal commands for listing, copying, and syncing files
Setup requires an initial OAuth configuration step
Smaller resource footprint than Google Drive desktop app
Google Drive's shared client_id was retired in 2024

What Is rclone?

rclone is a command-line program for managing files on cloud storage. It handles synchronization, file transfers, and encryption across multiple platforms. The tool is written in Go and distributed under the MIT license.

The project traces back to 2014 when Nick Craig-Wood created it to solve a personal need for synchronizing files between local drives and cloud storage. Today, rclone maintains an active development cycle with regular releases. The latest stable version, v1.75.0, arrived in 2026.

Why Replace Google Drive Desktop?

The Google Drive desktop app runs continuously in the background. It syncs files automatically, which means it consumes system resources even when you are not actively using Drive. The application also requires periodic updates and can occasionally become unresponsive or corrupted, requiring manual intervention.

rclone sidesteps these issues by running only when you invoke it. There is no background process to manage. This approach suits users who prefer explicit control over when files sync rather than automatic background behavior.

The terminal-based workflow also enables scripting. You can automate backups, schedule syncs with cron jobs, or write shell scripts that conditionally sync based on file changes. These capabilities are difficult to achieve with Google Drive's desktop application alone. For a broader self-hosted setup, see our Raspberry Pi self-hosting guide covering Mastodon, Caddy, and Zero Cloud.

How to Install rclone

Installation varies by operating system. On Linux, most distributions include rclone in their package repositories. Ubuntu users can run:

sudo apt install rclone

macOS users typically rely on Homebrew:

brew install rclone

Windows users download a ZIP archive from the GitHub releases page and extract rclone.exe to a directory in their PATH.

Verify the installation by checking the version:

rclone version

Setting Up Google Drive as a Remote

The first time you use rclone with Google Drive, you need to complete an OAuth authorization flow. Run the configuration wizard:

rclone config

This opens an interactive menu. Select n to create a new remote, then choose google drive from the provider list. rclone will prompt you for a client ID and client secret.

Google retired its shared OAuth client credentials in 2024, so you must provide your own. Visit the Google Cloud Console to create a project and enable the Google Drive API. Under "Credentials," create an OAuth 2.0 client ID and download the JSON file. rclone can import this directly during configuration.

When prompted for the scope, select drive for full access or drive.readonly for read-only access. rclone will then generate a URL that opens in your browser for Google authentication. After granting permission, rclone receives an authorization code and completes the setup.

Basic rclone Commands

Once configured, rclone refers to your Google Drive as a remote named after whatever you chose during setup (commonly "remote" or "gdrive"). You can list contents with:

rclone lsd remote:

This shows the top-level folders on your Google Drive. To list files within a folder:

rclone lsd remote:FolderName

Copy a single file from your local machine to Google Drive:

rclone copy ~/Documents/report.pdf remote:Documents/

Copy an entire directory:

rclone copy ~/Projects remote:Projects/

Sync a local folder to match the remote state:

rclone sync ~/Documents remote:Documents/

The sync command is more aggressive than copy. It mirrors the source exactly, deleting files on the destination that no longer exist in the source. Use --interactive with sync to review changes before they apply:

rclone sync --interactive ~/Documents remote:Documents/

rclone vs. Google Drive Desktop

Google Drive desktop focuses on seamless automatic synchronization. Files appear in a dedicated folder, and the app handles real-time updates. This works well for casual users who want zero configuration.

rclone trades convenience for control. You run commands explicitly rather than relying on background processes. This is slower for day-to-day file access but more efficient for scheduled operations or server environments where a desktop app is impractical.

The resource difference is measurable. Google Drive desktop can consume 200-500 MB of RAM depending on file count and sync activity. rclone uses only the memory required during command execution and returns to idle when finished.

For Linux users, rclone is often the only practical option. Google Drive's desktop application does not natively support Linux distributions, while rclone runs everywhere. If you also want to modernize other desktop workflows, our OfficeCLI guide shows how to automate Word, Excel, and PowerPoint from the terminal.

Known Limitations

rclone is not without quirks. The initial setup is more involved than Google Drive's drag-and-drop installer. Users unfamiliar with command-line interfaces may find the configuration process confusing.

The Google Drive shared client_id retirement means new users must create their own OAuth credentials. This adds a step that existing rclone users skipped for years and may deter casual adopters.

Error messages in rclone are functional but not always intuitive. A failed sync might report ambiguous errors like "Failed to copy: file not found" without clarifying whether the source or destination caused the issue.

The tool does not provide a graphical file browser. If you need to visually inspect your Google Drive contents, you must use rclone ls or browse the web interface.

When to Use rclone

rclone suits users who already work in terminals or need to automate cloud storage operations. It is valuable for server administrators who schedule backups, developers who sync configuration files across machines, or anyone managing multiple cloud accounts.

For occasional users who simply want to attach a Google Drive folder to their desktop, the official app remains simpler. The trade-off is resource usage and platform support. rclone gives you control at the cost of command-line familiarity.

Conclusion

rclone offers a lightweight, cross-platform alternative to Google Drive desktop. It eliminates background processes and enables scripting that the official app cannot match. The setup requires more initial effort, and the terminal interface is not for everyone, but the flexibility and resource efficiency appeal to users comfortable with command-line tools.

The tool has matured significantly since 2014 and continues receiving updates. As cloud storage becomes more distributed, rclone's multi-provider support makes it increasingly relevant beyond just Google Drive. It is also a staple in modern terminal workflows, complementing tools like OfficeCLI for office automation and self-hosted stacks like those in our Raspberry Pi self-hosting guide.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is rclone free?

Yes. rclone is open-source software released under the MIT license. There are no subscription fees or premium tiers. You can use it indefinitely without payment.

Does rclone work on Windows?

Yes. rclone supports Windows, macOS, and Linux. Windows users download a portable executable from the GitHub releases page and run it from Command Prompt or PowerShell.

How does rclone compare to Google Drive desktop?

Google Drive desktop runs continuously in the background and provides a visual folder interface. rclone runs on demand via command line, uses fewer resources, and supports automation. Google Drive desktop is easier for casual users; rclone is better for power users and Linux environments.

Is my data safe with rclone?

rclone uses Google's official OAuth 2.0 authentication, so your credentials are handled securely. The tool also supports client-side encryption for sensitive files before they upload to the cloud. However, rclone itself is a local tool, so you are responsible for securing your machine and API credentials.

Can I use rclone with other cloud services?

Yes. rclone supports over 70 cloud storage providers including Amazon S3, Dropbox, Microsoft OneDrive, Backblaze B2, and OpenStack Swift. You can configure multiple remotes and transfer files between different services.