How Do You Set Up Dropbox Google Drive Sync?
Dropbox Google Drive sync needs a bridge, because the two services do not connect natively. The simplest method is to run both desktop apps on one computer and use a free tool like FreeFileSync to copy between their folders. For direct cloud-to-cloud copies, use rclone. Start with a one-way copy and keep a backup.
| Approach | How it works | Two-way? | Needs local space? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Both apps + FreeFileSync | Syncs the two local folders, apps upload | Yes, or one-way | Yes |
rclone copy |
Copies Dropbox to Google Drive directly | One-way | No |
rclone bisync |
Two-way sync between remotes | Yes | No |
| Web cloud-to-cloud service | A third party copies on its servers | Usually | No |
The approach mirrors our main hub on how to sync OneDrive to Google Drive; only the services change.
What You Need Before You Start
- Dropbox and Google accounts with enough free space. Dropbox Basic has 2 GB; Google has 15 GB shared with Gmail and Photos.
- A Windows PC or Mac for the desktop method.
- A decision on direction: one-way from Dropbox to Google Drive is the safest start.
Method 1: Both Desktop Apps and FreeFileSync
- Install Dropbox and sign in. In settings, make the folder you want to sync available offline.
- Install Google Drive for desktop and set My Drive to Mirror files.
- Install FreeFileSync.
- Set the left side to the Dropbox folder and the right side to a folder inside Google Drive.
- Choose Update for one-way, or Two way to sync both ways.
- Click Compare, review the list, then Synchronize.
- Save the job and schedule it, or use RealTimeSync to run it on changes.
Keep the computer awake. Each app uploads its side after FreeFileSync copies files.
Method 2: rclone Between Dropbox and Google Drive
- Install rclone from rclone.org.
- Run
rclone configand add adropboxremote and agdriveremote. - Preview:
rclone copy dropbox:Projects gdrive:Projects --dry-run. - Copy:
rclone copy dropbox:Projects gdrive:Projects --progress. - For two-way sync, run
rclone bisync dropbox:Projects gdrive:Projects --resynconce, then schedulerclone bisync dropbox:Projects gdrive:Projects.
Read rclone’s bisync documentation first. Two-way sync between clouds is powerful but unforgiving if something goes wrong.
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Google Docs and Dropbox
Google Docs, Sheets and Slides are cloud-native files. They will not sync to Dropbox as editable Google files. rclone exports them to Office formats when copying out of Google Drive, but the copies do not stay linked to the originals.
If you need “Google Doc sync” to Dropbox, keep the Google Docs in Google Drive and share links instead, or export final versions as PDF or Word files.
Common Errors and Fixes
| Problem | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Endless duplicates | Two-way sync before a clean first copy | Run one-way first; then switch modes |
| Files missing on Google Drive | Dropbox files were online-only | Make them available offline |
| Dropbox stops syncing | Dropbox storage full or device limit | Free space; unlink old devices |
| Deletions spread to both | Two-way or sync mode | Use copy or Update; restore from deleted files |
| “Conflicted copy” files | Edits on both sides between runs | See Dropbox conflicted copies |
How to Verify the Sync Works
- Add a file to the Dropbox folder.
- Run your sync job.
- Check it appears on drive.google.com.
- For two-way setups, edit it on Google Drive and confirm it reaches dropbox.com.
Common Mistakes
- Pointing one app at the other’s folder. Each app must have its own folder.
- Starting with two-way sync. One-way is safer until both sides match.
- Forgetting free plan limits. Dropbox Basic’s 2 GB fills fast.
Not sure which to keep long term? Compare them in Dropbox vs Google Drive. For conflicts, see Dropbox conflicted copies. For any other pair of providers, read cloud to cloud sync.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Dropbox and Google Drive sync automatically?
Not on their own. You need a third tool, such as FreeFileSync with both desktop apps installed, rclone on a schedule, or a web-based cloud-to-cloud service. Once set up, these tools can run automatically on a schedule or when files change, as long as the computer or service running them stays active.
Will Dropbox Google Drive sync create duplicate files?
It can if you start with two-way sync before both sides match, or if you run jobs into different target folders. Run a one-way copy first, check the result, then switch to two-way only if needed. Keep one target folder per job to avoid duplicate trees.
Do I need to keep my computer on for cloud-to-cloud sync?
For desktop methods and rclone on a PC, yes, because the computer runs the sync. You can run rclone on a small always-on device like a NAS or mini server instead. Web-based services run on their own servers, so no computer needs to stay on.
Can I sync only one folder between Dropbox and Google Drive?
Yes. Point FreeFileSync or rclone at a single folder on each side, such as a Projects folder, instead of the whole account. This keeps transfers small and reduces the risk of mistakes. You can add more folder pairs later as separate jobs.
Is rclone safe to use with my Dropbox and Google accounts?
rclone is open-source and widely used. It connects using each provider’s official authorisation, and you can revoke access from your account settings at any time. Protect the rclone configuration file, because it stores access tokens, and always test commands with the dry-run option before running them.
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