In the latest update to its cloud storage (opens in new tab) service, Google has added full support for Apple M1 Macs (opens in new tab) to Google Drive (opens in new tab) for desktop.
With the release of version 52.0 of Google Drive for desktop, Mac users with a MacBook Air (opens in new tab), MacBook Pro (opens in new tab), Mac Mini (opens in new tab) or iMac (opens in new tab) running Apple silicon can now take full advantage of the search giant's new unified client.
Google's new unified client also offers improved support for Apple's Photo Library (opens in new tab) including media that is synced with iCloud (opens in new tab) as part of Google Photos (opens in new tab).
Google Drive for desktop
After years of maintaining two separate clients in the form of Backup and Sync (opens in new tab) for consumers and Drive File Stream (opens in new tab) for businesses, Google decided to merge them into one offering back in July.
While Backup and Sync gained “improved Apple M1 support” at the beginning of this year, Drive File Stream only added “open beta” support for Apple Silicon in February. An update in May brought improvements in regard to Apple M1 support though it was still a beta.
In addition to M1 Mac support, the latest Google Drive update also offers improved accessibility for folders and files created offline, support for some cameras (opens in new tab) to back up to Drive for desktop, the ability to manage and purchase additional cloud storage from within the client, improved sync performance when connecting to a network after working offline and other improvements.
Now that Google no longer has to maintain two separate clients, expect updates to Google Drive for desktop to begin rolling out at a faster pace.
Via 9to5Google (opens in new tab)
