Listed below are 5 methods to configure your macOS system to work with Gmail, Google Drive and different Google Workspace apps.
Apple’s Mac techniques work effectively with Google Workspace apps, equivalent to Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Drive, Docs, Sheets and Slides. Every of the 5 choices under allows you to leverage your Google account from macOS, starting from the best setup to the deeper connections that hyperlink information both to Apple’s apps or enable Google Drive entry from the Finder. Many individuals could need to sign up to a brand new Mac and configure all 5 of the choices lined under.
SEE: iCloud vs. OneDrive: Which is greatest for Mac, iPad and iPhone customers? (free PDF) (TechRepublic)
In case you’re a part of a company, you could have to comply with procedures apart from those listed under. Each Google Workspace and Apple Enterprise Supervisor provide varied enterprise administration choices that enable an administrator to simplify sign-ins, safe units and management configurations. Examine together with your system administrator for tips particular to your group.
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Use Safari for a streamlined setup
When you end the macOS preliminary setup course of and have put in all accessible system updates, you could begin Safari, go to Gmail after which sign up together with your Google Workspace account credentials. After you might be logged in, you could entry different Workspace apps both from the app launcher menu (Determine A) or by typing in any Workspace app URL straight (e.g., https://docs.google.com for Google Docs). Since most Google Workspace options work effectively inside Safari, this method allows you to get to work rapidly.
Determine A
Nonetheless, as of January 2023, Google Workspace apps don’t provide offline entry when utilized in Safari on a Mac. If it is advisable use Gmail, Calendar or Drive in your Mac with out web entry, you’ll need to discover the extra steps under. Nonetheless, in case your Mac all the time has web entry and offline work isn’t a priority for you, then the mix of Google Workspace apps accessed in Safari could also be ample.
Set up Chrome for full-featured work on the internet
Most individuals who plan to work with Google Workspace on a Mac will need to set up Chrome (Determine B), then sign up and use that browser for all Workspace-related actions.
Determine B
This method not solely lets you configure and sync information for bookmarks, historical past, passwords and extra throughout each Chrome browser you employ, nevertheless it additionally lets you configure Workspace apps for offline work. You will have to regulate a number of permission settings, equivalent to permitting entry to the webcam and microphone for Google Meet, with extra changes wanted to allow screen-sharing.
Register with Google to attach information to Apple apps
You might sign up together with your Google account and set it to sync Workspace information to Apple’s apps. To do that, choose Apple Menu > System Settings… > Web Accounts > Add Account… > Google, after which proceed by means of the sign-in course of (Determine C).
Determine C
Most often, you’ll want to allow the sliders for Mail, Contacts and Calendars, which permits these apps to sync Gmail, Google Contacts and Google Calendar information to every app, respectively. You may additionally need to go to the Google Calendar Sync Settings software on the internet to pick particular Google Calendars to sync with iCal.
Including your Google account within the Apple system settings might be helpful for offline information entry in apps in addition to once you need system actions to stay in sync together with your Google account. For instance, once you click on on a “mailto:” hyperlink on an online web page, the system can open the Apple Mail app and create a brand new e mail that’s despatched from and synced to your Google Workspace account.
Deploy Google Drive for desktop for system entry to Drive information
Obtain and set up Google Drive for desktop (Determine D), then sign up to your account to be able to entry information on Google Drive from the Finder. This permits you, for instance, to start out an app in your system and from inside that app open a file saved on Drive.
Determine D
As an example, you would possibly begin a macOS picture modifying app after which open a picture file saved on Google Drive. Drive for desktop eliminates the necessity to open a browser, obtain a file, work with the file, then add it once more. As an alternative, Drive for desktop lets you open and save gadgets on to Drive on a Mac.
Configure Chrome Distant Desktop for distant entry
You might need to set up and configure Chrome Distant Desktop to permit distant entry to your system both by different folks once you request it, equivalent to for help functions, or by your self, equivalent to for a desktop system you need to entry remotely.
To configure Chrome Distant Desktop, it is advisable have put in Chrome in your system. Assuming you do, open Chrome and go to https://g.co/crd/setup to start out the set up and setup course of (Determine E). As soon as accomplished, you’ll have the ability to entry your system remotely from Chrome Distant Desktop.
Determine E
What’s your expertise with Google Workspace on macOS?
In case you use Google Workspace on a Mac, which of the above apps and configurations do you employ? Are you a minimalist who prefers to solely sign up to Google instruments with Safari? Do you’re employed with Google Workspace solely by means of Chrome for macOS? Or do you join your Google accounts to Apple’s Mail, Calendar and Contacts apps and depend on Drive and Distant Desktop, too? Point out or message me on Mastodon (@awolber) to let me know what kind of Google Workspace setup you employ in your Mac.