Ask Different (Apple)
Q&A for power users of Apple hardware and software
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5
votes
6
answers
113047
views
Google Drive doesn't appear on my Finder
I can see Dropbox but I can't find Google Drive on my Finder. If I want to sync a file to GDrive, I have to open the folder GDrive by click on the symbol of Gdrive. It's very inconvenient. I'm wondering if there is a way to display GDrive on the Finder, just like where Dropbox is?
I can see Dropbox but I can't find Google Drive on my Finder. If I want to sync a file to GDrive, I have to open the folder GDrive by click on the symbol of Gdrive. It's very inconvenient.
I'm wondering if there is a way to display GDrive on the Finder, just like where Dropbox is?
Mai
(161 rep)
Nov 25, 2014, 11:56 AM
• Last activity: Aug 5, 2025, 07:10 AM
0
votes
1
answers
851
views
Can't launch drive for desktop (macos Sequoia 15.2) (Google Drive Version: 100.0.2.0 (Apple Silicon) (File Provider))
I have been using Google Drive for desktop on my M1 MacBook Pro for a long time, but recently my folders on my google drive stopped syncing suddenly (Some folders are on my windows laptop and drive just basically mirrors them to my mac). On my other devices drive is running completely fine. There is...
I have been using Google Drive for desktop on my M1 MacBook Pro for a long time, but recently my folders on my google drive stopped syncing suddenly (Some folders are on my windows laptop and drive just basically mirrors them to my mac). On my other devices drive is running completely fine. There is no problem of storage shortage on my account too.
At first, I signed out and signed in but that did not work. So I completely uninstalled and reinstalled it, but in vain. I was seeking help from google high tier support team but nothing really worked for my Mac.
I have attached what pops out after the sign in. I have searched on the internet for a long time but to my surprise I did not found a single person with my kind of problem. The troubleshooting I tried are mentioned below:
1. Signing out and in
2. Uninstall and reinstall
3. Using mac on a different network
4. Signing in with a different google account
5. Deleting the DriveFS folder and restarting the computer
6. Reset user preferences on drive
7. Google drive proxy setting change from Auto-Detect to Direct Connection
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!!

S. Sadman Salvi
(1 rep)
Dec 26, 2024, 05:15 PM
• Last activity: Aug 4, 2025, 09:06 AM
4
votes
1
answers
2487
views
Use Google speech to text instead of Apple's
Google currently has much higher quality speech transcription. You can try it easily by going to [doc.new][1] and pressing `Cmd-Shift-S` and talking. Compare to using the built in system from Apple (pressing `Fn` twice). Ideally there would be a good way to do this, but if that doesn't work, hacky i...
Google currently has much higher quality speech transcription. You can try it easily by going to doc.new and pressing
Cmd-Shift-S
and talking. Compare to using the built in system from Apple (pressing Fn
twice).
Ideally there would be a good way to do this, but if that doesn't work, hacky is the next best thing. An AppleScript or Hammerspoon script that instantly pops up a Google Docs window, and then inserts the result is better than nothing.
Given that things like this https://dictation.io/speech exist, or this jsfiddle it seems like it should be possible to at least have an extension that can interface with other applications to enable dictation input, but I haven't found any yet.
Is there any way to somehow use this instead of the built in transcription, e.g. with a keyboard shortcut?
avv
(282 rep)
Jun 13, 2020, 01:30 AM
• Last activity: Jul 23, 2025, 11:01 PM
3
votes
1
answers
2678
views
How to remove Google FinderHelper - its taking loads of my CPU
When I click on my battery I constantly see this Google icon (FinderHelper) in there, is there any way to reduce its CP usage? [![enter image description here][1]][1] [1]: https://i.sstatic.net/IxzJP.png
When I click on my battery I constantly see this Google icon (FinderHelper) in there, is there any way to reduce its CP usage?

SuperUberDuper
(378 rep)
Jul 19, 2022, 09:27 AM
• Last activity: Jun 16, 2025, 03:07 PM
0
votes
1
answers
47
views
Blocking the possibility to play videos in the video search tan
Is there a way, on recent MacOS, to deny to the user the possibility of playing the videos in the Videos page of the google search (also in the first page, which in italian is called "Tutti", as in the picture)? I searched a bit and found nothing about this problem. (Edit, thanks for comments) The p...
Is there a way, on recent MacOS, to deny to the user the possibility of playing the videos in the Videos page of the google search (also in the first page, which in italian is called "Tutti", as in the picture)? I searched a bit and found nothing about this problem.
(Edit, thanks for comments) The practical problem is the following: in order to be more productive, I'd like to deny myself all distractions, and temptations; Yt is of course one of them. One can obviously block in many ways the YouTube site itself, but this block can easily be tricked by watching videos directly on the search engine (google, in my case, on safari browser - as shown in the picture), literally pressing the play button in the preview, both in the section "Tutti" or in the section "Videos" (also "Shorts", which is "Video brevi" in the pic). As far as I know, there is no way these modality of watching videos can benefit blocked by Screentime, neither by any of the softwares thet I know (such that Cisdem, or AppsBlock,...).

NNNico
(1 rep)
Jun 10, 2025, 04:56 PM
• Last activity: Jun 11, 2025, 04:40 AM
0
votes
1
answers
914
views
How do I sync iPhone Contacts to Google Contacts?
How do I sync my iPhone Contacts to Google Contacts? Google’s [instructions][1] say: > 1. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Settings app. > 2. Tap Contacts. You might need to scroll down. > 3. Tap Add account. If you've already synced a Google Account to your device, tap Accounts. > 4. Tap Add accoun...
How do I sync my iPhone Contacts to Google Contacts?
Google’s instructions say:
> 1. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Settings app.
> 2. Tap Contacts. You might need to scroll down.
> 3. Tap Add account. If you've already synced a Google Account to your device, tap Accounts.
> 4. Tap Add account and then Google.
> 5. Follow the instructions to sign in to your Google Account.
> 6. Choose which Google apps to sync with your device. You can update these settings at any time.
> 7. Tap Save.
>
> To start syncing, open your iPhone or iPad's Contacts app.
Upon doing that, I now see in iPhone Contacts app several “Lists”: One for “All Contacts” with 7,425 contacts; a second for my Google account with “0” contacts; and a third for “All iPhone” with 7,425 contacts.
Looking online at contacts.google.com , I see zero contacts.
So… How do I get my contacts from my iPhone into my Google account?
5260452
(2188 rep)
Jan 8, 2025, 12:54 AM
• Last activity: Jun 7, 2025, 11:00 PM
0
votes
1
answers
423
views
Google Drive macOS client can't dowload files inside mounted dmg virtual drive
I'm trying to let Google Drive client to sync files inside mounted dmg. I've added the folder (mounted dmg) to Google Drive client for backup. Everything works fine: upload of new files from my machine, deletion of files on my machine are propagated to online Google Drive and deletion of files from...
I'm trying to let Google Drive client to sync files inside mounted dmg.
I've added the folder (mounted dmg) to Google Drive client for backup.
Everything works fine: upload of new files from my machine, deletion of files on my machine are propagated to online Google Drive and deletion of files from web are propagated to my machine.
But when I create a new file from Google Drive Web inside the folder, Google Drive Desktop client can't create file inside the mounted dmg: it always return 'not enough disk space' .. my free space is more than 200Gbyte and the issue happen with 2 files of 100KB each.
The dmg file was created for read and write, I can create files inside dmg on my machine but it seems Google Drive can't ...
Has anyone experienced same problem ?
Thank You
Luciano Denti
(1 rep)
Aug 21, 2021, 02:38 PM
• Last activity: Jun 2, 2025, 09:05 PM
5
votes
3
answers
20890
views
Is there a Google Calendar app for Mac desktop?
I want to know if there is a Google Calendar app for the Mac desktop? I do not want to sync my Google Calendar to my Apple calendar. I want to have the Google Calendar app itself on my Mac. Has Google made this?
I want to know if there is a Google Calendar app for the Mac desktop? I do not want to sync my Google Calendar to my Apple calendar. I want to have the Google Calendar app itself on my Mac. Has Google made this?
Isabel
(51 rep)
Sep 6, 2017, 04:53 PM
• Last activity: May 12, 2025, 04:52 PM
-2
votes
1
answers
45
views
Troubleshooting Google Passkey
Shop computer returns: [![enter image description here][1]][1] [![enter image description here][2]][2] [![enter image description here][3]][3] I am left wondering: * What exactly is the problem? * Do I need to configure the Google account so that it knows my iphone or Mac has the passkey? * How can...
Shop computer returns:
I am left wondering:
* What exactly is the problem?
* Do I need to configure the Google account so that it knows my iphone or Mac has the passkey?
* How can I query the Google account settings to determine what device holds the relevant passkey?



gatorback
(3403 rep)
Apr 16, 2025, 01:11 PM
• Last activity: Apr 16, 2025, 05:26 PM
4
votes
3
answers
2625
views
Alternatives to Google Earth that can consume KMZ
I'm trying to eliminate Google software from my OS X experience. I would like to eliminate Google Earth. Are there OS X tools that can consume or work with KMZ files? Are there good online tools that can work with these files? I'm keen to visualise points of interest on maps, but while OS X Maps pro...
I'm trying to eliminate Google software from my OS X experience.
I would like to eliminate Google Earth. Are there OS X tools that can consume or work with KMZ files? Are there good online tools that can work with these files? I'm keen to visualise points of interest on maps, but while OS X Maps provides a great user experience, it does not seem to import or show externally provided data.
davemee
(43 rep)
Jun 23, 2015, 06:44 PM
• Last activity: Jan 31, 2025, 12:37 PM
0
votes
1
answers
122
views
How can I change my background on Google Meet with my iPad 9 (iPadOS 15.6.1)?
I'd like to change my background on Google Meet with my iPad 9 (iPadOS 15.6.1). Typically I click on [![enter image description here][1]][1], but I don't see that button: [![enter image description here][2]][2] How can I change my background on Google Meet with my iPad 9 (iPadOS 15.6.1)? [1]: https:...
I'd like to change my background on Google Meet with my iPad 9 (iPadOS 15.6.1). Typically I click on
, but I don't see that button:
How can I change my background on Google Meet with my iPad 9 (iPadOS 15.6.1)?


Franck Dernoncourt
(3616 rep)
Mar 23, 2024, 01:26 AM
• Last activity: Jan 24, 2025, 02:13 AM
0
votes
1
answers
2231
views
Downgrading Google Chrome version after disabling auto updates
I wish to keep using a particular version of Google Chrome macOS app. I have used [this](https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7812708?answerId=32299371022#32299371022) link to stop Google Chrome macOS app from auto updating. But, the problem is that I stopped auto updates while running version 75. I...
I wish to keep using a particular version of Google Chrome macOS app. I have used [this](https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7812708?answerId=32299371022#32299371022) link to stop Google Chrome macOS app from auto updating. But, the problem is that I stopped auto updates while running version 75.
I need to run version 70. I am also unable to revert back the changes which I made.
Could anyone please help me in resolving this issue?
Praks
(1 rep)
Jul 2, 2019, 11:06 AM
• Last activity: Jan 23, 2025, 12:03 AM
0
votes
0
answers
75
views
moving photos by Google Takeout to iCloud datetime bug
I encountered strange bug with moving photos from Google Photos to iCloud. I used official way to move it https://takeout.google.com/takeout/transfer/custom/photos. Everything is almost fine, photos begin copying after few minutes but almost all of them have incorrect datetime (-10h). Screens bellow...
I encountered strange bug with moving photos from Google Photos to iCloud. I used official way to move it https://takeout.google.com/takeout/transfer/custom/photos .
Everything is almost fine, photos begin copying after few minutes but almost all of them have incorrect datetime (-10h). Screens bellow, because is really hard to explain :D I'm in -2/-1 timezone, so it's not related to this.
Same photo on Google Photos, iPhone gallery and iCloud on Windows Chrome browser.



Jan
(1 rep)
Oct 21, 2024, 08:14 PM
• Last activity: Oct 28, 2024, 07:35 PM
1
votes
1
answers
265
views
Blocking Safari with Google Santa
I am trying to block the Safari web browser on our macOS devices. I am using Google Santa installed on user devices and pushing profile configurations via Intune in an attempt to block certain applications. I've had success blocking other applications, but not Safari. I'm looking for help in determi...
I am trying to block the Safari web browser on our macOS devices. I am using Google Santa installed on user devices and pushing profile configurations via Intune in an attempt to block certain applications. I've had success blocking other applications, but not Safari.
I'm looking for help in determining how I can block Safari with Google Santa. I'm mostly confused regarding the exact path that Safari resides in and the proper way to format the path using the regex required for Santa.
Paths Used:
-
/Applications/Safari.App/
- /System/Cryptexes/App/System/Applications/Safari.app
- /System/Cryptexes/App/System/Applications/Safari.app/Contents/MacOS/Safari
Regex:
- ^\/Applications\/Safari\.app\/.*$
- ^\/System\/Cryptexes\/App\/System\/Applications\/Safari\.app\/.*
The profiles are successfully applied, but Safari remains unblocked. FYI I am not using a server with Google Santa, just simply applying profile configurations to end-use devices. Any help is much appreciated.
Evan Brown
(11 rep)
Nov 17, 2023, 12:09 AM
• Last activity: Oct 11, 2024, 02:43 PM
3
votes
2
answers
3998
views
iPhone SE adding Gmail account return 500 error
I have an iphone SE first generation (2017) with last version of OS (15.8.3). I had to delete one of my email accounts because of some problems on the iphone. When i want to add it again, i can add my email , then i have to authenticate and google returns me a 500 error each time. Another person in...
I have an iphone SE first generation (2017) with last version of OS (15.8.3). I had to delete one of my email accounts because of some problems on the iphone.
When i want to add it again, i can add my email , then i have to authenticate and google returns me a 500 error each time.
Another person in France has this issue with an iPhone 8.
I tried to
- Clear browser cache and cookies (chrome version on iphone)
- Disable double authentification in Google security account
- Reinstall iphone and restore
I still have a 500 error at authentification ...
I know that 500 error is server side but it seems to come from malformated datas send througth authentification.
How can I deal with this?


Pascal B
(41 rep)
Aug 8, 2024, 05:37 PM
• Last activity: Aug 18, 2024, 09:53 AM
7
votes
1
answers
5400
views
How do I disable the prompt to discard or keep downloads in Google Chrome on Mac OS?
I want to disable the prompt to Discard or to Keep all downloads so that they just download regardless of their extension type. I have found a solution to [Disable Google Chrome's Safe Browsing][1] feature but that's not what I'm after. Downloads still require user intervention for some file types (...
I want to disable the prompt to Discard or to Keep all downloads so that they just download regardless of their extension type.
I have found a solution to Disable Google Chrome's Safe Browsing feature but that's not what I'm after. Downloads still require user intervention for some file types (such as DMGs which typically contain Applications)
I'm hoping there's a simple solution to this annoyance.
Here's a screenshot of the prompt.
Is this possible on chrome for macOS?

adamlogan
(468 rep)
Feb 18, 2018, 12:56 AM
• Last activity: Jul 21, 2024, 02:43 AM
9
votes
1
answers
2105
views
How can I use my Google Account with Apple apps (Mail, Calendar, etc) in OS X 10.10 and older?
For months, Google has been warning me that I "may lose access to apps that are using less secure sign-in technology". [![email][1]][1] The warnings directed to [this page](https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/6010255) with more information. Starting on May 30, Google was planning to prevent s...
For months, Google has been warning me that I "may lose access to apps that are using less secure sign-in technology".
The warnings directed to [this page](https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/6010255) with more information. Starting on May 30, Google was planning to prevent software which does not use the modern OAuth2 authentication scheme from logging into any Google account. Unfortunately, this includes Apple applications built into OS X 10.10 and older, such as Mail, Contacts, and Calendar. (This applies even to accounts added via "Sign in with Google", and even though "less secure app access" was not previously required.)
I am using OS X 10.9 Mavericks. As was foretold, on the morning of June 1, 2022 at around 7 am EDT, the Mail, Calendar, and Notes apps spontaneously became unable to connect to my Google account.
How can I use my Google account without updating to an ugly flat version of OS X?

Wowfunhappy
(7856 rep)
Jun 2, 2022, 02:15 PM
• Last activity: Jul 17, 2024, 09:08 PM
3
votes
2
answers
4940
views
Google Photos won't stop syncing on iOS
I have Google Photos installed on my iPhone 6S and would like it to stop automatically syncing my photos. I like to view my pictures but don't want everything backed up. I have gone into settings on the app and turned off "Backup & sync" but if I take a picture it still gets uploaded! I've tried res...
I have Google Photos installed on my iPhone 6S and would like it to stop automatically syncing my photos. I like to view my pictures but don't want everything backed up.
I have gone into settings on the app and turned off "Backup & sync" but if I take a picture it still gets uploaded! I've tried restarting the app and the iPhone but it still does it.
rf_wilson
(719 rep)
Nov 12, 2015, 08:26 PM
• Last activity: Jul 14, 2024, 09:06 AM
4
votes
1
answers
788
views
Q: How to configure Contacts.app with Google Contacts so that labels show up as contact groups?
I'm trying to get the Contacts app on MacOS Big Sur to display my Google contacts correctly. I have the account configured and the contacts themselves show up, but the Google contact tags (what Google calls "labels" and Apple calls "groups") aren't showing up. Further, if I add a new contact group i...
I'm trying to get the Contacts app on MacOS Big Sur to display my Google contacts correctly. I have the account configured and the contacts themselves show up, but the Google contact tags (what Google calls "labels" and Apple calls "groups") aren't showing up.
Further, if I add a new contact group in the Contacts app under "Google" and use it to group several contacts, they seem to be stored locally (they are there after I reboot) but don't get pushed up to Google.
Any suggestions how to debug this further?
Ramon
(173 rep)
Oct 3, 2021, 06:01 PM
• Last activity: Jul 9, 2024, 12:04 PM
1
votes
0
answers
438
views
macOS keeps logging me out of Google accounts used in Mail
Yesterday I suddenly started to get the following error a couple of times per day: [![Google password required][1]][1] I haven't made any changes to my Google account in quite a while and I don't have any similar issues outside of the Mail app which uses emails connected to an Apple account. Are the...
Yesterday I suddenly started to get the following error a couple of times per day:
I haven't made any changes to my Google account in quite a while and I don't have any similar issues outside of the Mail app which uses emails connected to an Apple account. Are there any actions that can help me? I do login using authenticator app?
I use MacOS 14.5 (23F79) with Macbook Pro M1

Demian
(11 rep)
Jun 7, 2024, 07:28 PM
• Last activity: Jun 8, 2024, 03:48 PM
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