Listed below are 5 methods to configure your macOS system to work with Gmail, Google Drive and different Google Workspace apps.
Apple’s Mac methods work properly with Google Workspace apps, akin 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 only setup to the deeper connections that hyperlink information both to Apple’s apps or enable Google Drive entry from the Finder. Many individuals could wish to register 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)
Should you’re a part of a company, you could must observe 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 gadgets and management configurations. Examine together with your system administrator for tips particular to your group.
Bounce to:
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 register together with your Google Workspace account credentials. After you’re logged in, you could entry different Workspace apps both from the app launcher menu (Determine A) or by typing in any Workspace app URL instantly (e.g., https://docs.google.com for Google Docs). Since most Google Workspace options work properly inside Safari, this method allows you to get to work rapidly.
Determine A
Nevertheless, as of January 2023, Google Workspace apps don’t provide offline entry when utilized in Safari on a Mac. If it is advisable to use Gmail, Calendar or Drive in your Mac with out web entry, you’ll wish to discover the extra steps under. Nevertheless, in case your Mac at all times 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 wish to set up Chrome (Determine B), then register and use that browser for all Workspace-related actions.
Determine B
This method not solely means that you can configure and sync information for bookmarks, historical past, passwords and extra throughout each Chrome browser you employ, nevertheless it additionally means that you can configure Workspace apps for offline work. You have to to regulate a couple of permission settings, akin 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 register 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 the sign-in course of (Determine C).
Determine C
Generally, it would be best 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 might also wish to go to the Google Calendar Sync Settings device on the internet to pick out particular Google Calendars to sync with iCal.
Including your Google account within the Apple system settings could be helpful for offline information entry in apps in addition to whenever you need system actions to stay in sync together with your Google account. For instance, whenever you click on on a “mailto:” hyperlink on an internet 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 recordsdata
Obtain and set up Google Drive for desktop (Determine D), then register to your account to be able to entry recordsdata on Google Drive from the Finder. This permits you, for instance, to begin an app in your system and from inside that app open a file saved on Drive.
Determine D
As an illustration, you may begin a macOS photograph enhancing 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 a substitute, Drive for desktop means that you can open and save objects on to Drive on a Mac.
Configure Chrome Distant Desktop for distant entry
You might wish to set up and configure Chrome Distant Desktop to permit distant entry to your system both by different folks whenever you request it, akin to for assist functions, or by your self, akin to for a desktop system you want to entry remotely.
To configure Chrome Distant Desktop, it is advisable to have put in Chrome in your system. Assuming you do, open Chrome and go to https://g.co/crd/setup to begin the set up and setup course of (Determine E). As soon as accomplished, you’ll be capable of entry your system remotely from Chrome Distant Desktop.
Determine E
What’s your expertise with Google Workspace on macOS?
Should 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 register to Google instruments with Safari? Do you’re employed with Google Workspace solely by 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.
