How to Access Google Drive With FTP: Easiest Method [2024]

The ability to access and manage files remotely is more than a convenience—it’s a necessity. Google Drive, a widely used cloud storage service, offers a plethora of features that cater to various needs.

But what if you want to interact with your Google Drive using FTP, the venerable File Transfer Protocol that’s been reliably shuffling files around since the internet’s early days? It’s like asking your friend to pass you your stuff using a bucket and pulley system—it’s a bit old school, but it gets the job done.

This article aims to bridge that gap, providing a straightforward guide on how to integrate the old with the new—accessing Google Drive using FTP. We’ll discuss why you might want to use FTP, how to set it up, and the potential pitfalls to avoid.

What is FTP & How Does It Work?

FTP, or File Transfer Protocol, is a method used to transfer files between computers on a network, such as the Internet. It’s like a conversation between two computers to move files from one to the other. Here’s a simple breakdown of how it works:

1. FTP Server: This is the computer that holds the files you want to download or the destination where you want to upload files.
2. FTP Client: This is the program you use on your computer to interact with the server. It sends requests to the server to download or upload files.
3. Connection: To start transferring files, the client connects to the server. If it’s a public server, you might not need a username and password (this is called anonymous FTP). If it’s private, you’ll need to log in.
4. Transfer: Once connected, you can download files from the server to your computer or upload from your computer to the server.
5. Modes: There are two main modes of FTP connection:

• Active Mode: The server connects back to your computer to transfer data. This can be tricky if you have a firewall.
• Passive Mode: Your computer establishes both connections, avoiding issues with firewalls.

FTP is useful because it’s been around for a long time, so it’s stable and well-understood. It’s particularly handy for large files or batches of files, and it’s often used by website developers to upload files to their servers. While FTP is powerful, it’s not always the most secure way to transfer files because the data isn’t encrypted. That’s why many people now use FTPS or SFTP, which are more secure versions of FTP.

READ MORE: The 5 Best FTP Clients to Use ➜

How to Set Up Google Drive as FTP Server?

To use Google Drive as your FTP server, the simplest method is to use a tool called Google Drive Adapter. This tool links your Google Drive to your computer. Once you authenticate the tool with your Google Drive, it quietly operates on your computer and gives you FTP login details. Here’s how to do it easily:

Step 1: System Requirements

1. Ensure you have Java 8 installed on your computer. If not, download and install it from the official Oracle website.

2. Follow the on-screen instructions to install Java 8 on your system, it is pretty straightforward.

Step 2: Download Google Drive FTP Adapter

1. Visit the GitHub page for Google Drive FTP Adapter.

2. Download the ‘google-drive-ftp-adapter-jar-with-dependencies.jar’ file from the latest release section.

Step 3: Build the Adapter (Optional)

1. If you prefer to build the adapter yourself, clone the repository using git clone and then build it using Maven with the following commands:

git clone [repository URL]
cd google-drive-ftp-adapter
mvn clean package

2. This step is optional if you’ve downloaded the pre-built JAR file.

Step 4: Run the Adapter

1. Execute the JAR file by double-clicking on it or running the following command in the terminal:

java -jar google-drive-ftp-adapter-jar-with-dependencies.jar

2. Once the application starts, it will request authorization through your browser to allow Google Drive FTP access to your data. Follow the prompts to grant permission.

Following the instructions provided above, you have configured Google Drive as an FTP server. To facilitate file transfers between Google Drive and FTP, it’s necessary to authorize FTP access to Google Drive. There are numerous FTP clients available for selection. Below, we outline a simple, step-by-step guide to accomplish this using the popular FTP client, FileZilla.

READ MORE: How to Move Google Drive Contents from One Account to Another ➜

How to Access Google Drive with FTP?

FileZilla is a robust FTP client that supports various protocols and provides a user-friendly interface for managing files. It’s widely used and trusted in the community, making it a great choice for connecting to Google Drive via the FTP Adapter. Here’s how you can use it:

Step 1: Download and Install FileZilla

1. Go to the FileZilla website and download the version compatible with your operating system.

2. Follow the installation instructions to install FileZilla on your computer.

Step 2: Open FileZilla

1. Launch FileZilla once the installation is complete.

Step 3: Configure FileZilla for Google Drive FTP Adapter

1. At the top of the FileZilla window, you’ll find fields to enter the host, username, password, and port.
2. Enter localhost in the Host field.
3. Enter 1821 in the Port field (this is the default port used by Google Drive FTP Adapter).
4. Use user as both the Username and Password (these are the default credentials for Google Drive FTP Adapter).

Step 4: Connect to Google Drive

1. Click the ‘Quickconnect’ button to establish a connection to your Google Drive through the FTP Adapter.
2. If the connection is successful, you will see your Google Drive files and folders in the ‘Remote site’ pane of FileZilla.

Step 5: Manage Your Files

1. You can now manage your Google Drive files using FileZilla.
2. To upload files to Google Drive, simply drag and drop them from the ‘Local site’ pane to the ‘Remote site’ pane.

3. To download files, drag and drop them from the ‘Remote site’ pane to the ‘Local site’ pane.

4. You can also rename, delete, and create new folders in your Google Drive directly from FileZilla.

Step 6: Disconnect

1. Once you have finished managing your files, click the ‘Disconnect‘ button in the toolbar to safely disconnect from Google Drive.

FileZilla helps you handle your file transfers smoothly with its Transfer Queue feature. This feature lets you line up lots of files to upload or download one after another without any hassle. You can easily keep an eye on their progress at the bottom of the FileZilla window while they’re being transferred.

There you have it. If you have carefully followed each step of the guide, not only have you set up your Google Drive as an FTP server on your system, but you are also now able to manage it using an FTP client. Should you have any queries or encounter any hiccups during the setup, refer to the guide once again. If the issue persists, check online resources related to Google Drive FTP Adapter setup and FileZilla.

READ MORE: How to Copy a Google Drive Folder: 3 Easy Methods ➜

Conclusion

Accessing Google Drive via FTP provides a convenient way to manage your files and data across various platforms. By following the steps outlined in this guide, users can seamlessly integrate FTP into their workflow, allowing for efficient file transfers and storage management.

While the process may seem technical at first, with a little patience and understanding, anyone can successfully set up and utilize FTP with Google Drive. It’s important to remember that while FTP can offer convenience, it’s essential to prioritize security measures to protect your data. This includes using secure connections, implementing strong passwords, and regularly updating your FTP client and Google Drive settings.

Thank you for reading this guide! If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out in the comments below.