Change Google Drive My Drive mode on a Mac through supported preferences, not by moving the File Provider folder. Streaming integration can use a macOS-controlled location, while mirroring has a different local-content arrangement.
Prepare the existing work
Save open files, inspect Sync status, and compare important recent changes with the cloud account. Preserve local-only edits in an approved independent location. Note the current active path and any applications that depend on it.
Check whether File Provider is active using the streaming-location indicator in Drive settings. Do not assume old instructions for a configurable legacy mount point apply to a current Mac.
Use the mode setting deliberately
Open the My Drive syncing options and select the intended supported Stream or Mirror mode. Review local capacity and the destination before confirming. Streaming-to-mirroring can download a large amount of data; a nonempty destination may introduce additional local content into the sync relationship.
When switching away from mirroring, the old mirror can stop syncing. Keep it until its contents are reconciled rather than deleting it during the transition.
Verify the new active location
Open representative files through the app’s current location and compare their contents online. Check intended offline behavior and native Google editor preparation separately. Update personal shortcuts only after the correct path is clear. Shared drives remain streamed and do not inherit a My Drive mirror setting. If macOS controls the streaming location, leave that integration folder in place and use supported configuration or administrator assistance. Moving CloudStorage structures manually is not a substitute for a mode change and can complicate access or recovery.
References
- Use Drive for desktop on macOS
- Stream & mirror files with Drive for desktop
- Customize Drive for desktop settings
Reviewed against the linked official product guidance on November 3, 2026. Features, limits, screen labels, and access can vary by account, platform, region, and organization policy.