Last month we reported that Drive File Stream was renamed to ‘Google Drive for desktop’. This name change is part of a broader step in 2021 to unite the current business client with the consumer-facing backup and sync app that enables Google Photos upload.
Some of our Google Workspace customers have implemented both sync solutions, which can be confusing for end users and a challenge for IT departments to manage. To address this, we plan to bring these sync clients together later in 2021 so that all of our users can get the most used features of both Drive File Stream and Backup and Sync.
At a high level, Backup and Sync is disappearing in favor of a new “Google Drive for desktop” aimed at both consumer and business users. Previously known as Drive File Stream, the app is being updated to also “backup photos and videos in Google Photos” and upload an Apple Photos library and attached USB storage.
Other consumer features to come include syncing local folders (documents, desktop, etc.) to Google Drive and access to multiple accounts. Meanwhile, regular users can sync individual files in My Drive for offline use, a dark mode, and view some Microsoft Office and Outlook integrations.
The changes start with Drive File Stream renaming from version 45 as seen in the screenshots below. This is currently just a brand change and “all functionality will remain the same,” but the app will get the major update later this year.
At that point, Backup & Sync users will be transitioned to that new version of Drive for desktop:
We will announce when Drive for desktop is ready for Backup & Sync users. Later this year, we’ll share more details on how Backup & Sync users can get started with Drive for desktop. We provide Google Workspace admins and end users three months in advance of the deadline for transition to Drive desktop. The transition is self-service for end users. More details on consumer timelines will be announced closer to availability.
Moving forward, Google Workspace accounts can preview the new beta client by signing up for a preview.
This unification is intended to simplify the IT implementation process and reduce confusion about which app to use. It will also “result in better performance for end users,” a complaint for some today.
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