Google Drive on Ubuntu 18.04 Bionic Beaver Linux

Objective

The objective is to seamlessly provide access to Google Drive on Ubuntu 18.04. Firstly, we will access Google Drive via Gnome build-in feature Online Accounts.

Later, as an alternative, this tutorial will explain how to install google drive tool: google-drive-ocamlfuse via PPA and mount Google Drive remotely directly to user’s home directory.

Operating System and Software Versions

• Operating System: – Ubuntu 18.04 Bionic Beaver

Requirements

Privileged access to your Ubuntu System as root or via sudo command is required.

Conventions

• # – requires given linux commands to be executed with root privileges either directly as a root user or by use of sudo command
• $ – requires given linux commands to be executed as a regular non-privileged user

Other Versions of this Tutorial

Ubuntu 20.04 (Focal Fossa)

Instructions

Google Drive via Gnome Online Accounts

Gnome GUI allows for a native Google Drive mount via its feature Online Accounts located within system’s settings.

If you are not using Gnome graphical user interface you can install Gnome Online Accounts by opening up a terminal and entering the below command:

$ sudo apt install gnome-online-accounts

Once installed start Gnome Online Accounts by executing the command:

$ gnome-control-center online-accounts

On Gnome Desktop simply search Start Menu:

Search for Online Accounts. Once ready click on the Online Accounts icon.

Select Google account.

Enter your Google username or email address.

Enter your password.

Give GNOME permission to access your Google account.

If you have not done so yet, provide a new password for GNOME to save your passwords locally in a new key ring.

All done, you can now access your Google Drive using Files a.k.a Nautilus file manager.

Clicking on your Google Account will turn OFF/ON features you wish to sync.

Open your google drive file-system via Files file manager. Click on the included network drive menu to access your google drive files.

Warning:
It is important to note that using Gnome Online Accounts feature your Google Drive files are not stored locally. Any access, to your Google Drive files is done directly via Google Drive Cloud.

Google Drive via google-drive-ocamlfuse PPA

Another alternative to a native GNOME Online Accounts feature is google-drive-ocamlfuse. google-drive-ocamlfuse is somewhat a free version of the paid OverGrive Google Drive GUI front-end.

In case from any reason the above access to your Google Drive fails using GNOME Online Accounts you can install google-drive-ocamlfuse by executing the below commands:

$ sudo add-apt-repository ppa:alessandro-strada/ppa
$ sudo apt install google-drive-ocamlfuse

Next, create a directory which you want to use to access your Google Drive files. For example, create google-drive directory within your user local directory:

$ mkdir ~/google-drive

At this stage, point google-drive-ocamlfuse to this newly created directory:

$ google-drive-ocamlfuse ~/google-drive

The above will open up your default browser asking you to provide your Google Account credentials:

Enter you Google Account username or email address.

Enter you Google Account password.

Allow google-drive-ocamlfuse to access your Google Drive files.

You are now ready to access your Google Drive files either by using command line or any GUI file-manager tool.