Google Drive and FTP Access: Connection and Management

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Updated on: September 30, 2025
Time to read: 5 minutes

In this article, you will discover different ways to transfer your files from Google Drive to FTP in a safe and efficient manner.

Despite the fact that Google Drive doesn’t offer direct integration with FTP, third-party tools like CloudMounter with FTP client functionality allow users to connect their Google Drive account and migrate files back and forth.

Move data from Google Drive to FTP on Windows manually

With this option, you need to download your files to your computer and then upload them to the FTP server.

Warning!  This method is only available for Windows users, because through Finder you can just view and download FTP files.

Follow these steps:

1. Open Google Drive using your Gmail account.

2. Select which files or folders you’d like to transfer, click the Download icon at the top, or right-click and choose “Download”.

File downloading from Google Drive

3. They will be downloaded as a zip file that you need to extract to your desktop.

4. To connect to the FTP server via File Explorer: This PC > Add a network location, type the server address and then log in.

5. Upload the selected Google Drive files from your desktop to your FTP remote server.

Note:  To upload and edit files on macOS, an FTP client is necessary.

Migrate FTP files to Google Drive natively

To manually transfer files from FTP to Google Drive, first download them from FTP to your computer, and then upload them to Google Drive.

1. Connect to the FTP server via your respective file manager:

  • File Explorer: This PC > Add a network location, type the FTP address, and log in.
  • Finder: Go > Connect to Server (or press “Command+K”), then enter the server address and your credentials.

2. Download your chosen FTP files locally to the hard disk.

3. Open Google Drive and click “+New” and select the files from FTP.

File uploading to Google Drive

The upload to Google Drive will now begin.

Note:  This method is not the most convenient, as it takes time. Besides, you need to ensure your local hard drive has sufficient space for all the files you would like to download locally.

Transfer files from Google Drive to FTP via CloudMounter

There is another way to move folders between Google Drive and FTP that offers convenience and efficiency. CloudMounter is an all-in-one cloud storage manager that will mount FTP as a network drive and organize data easily. From there, the migration process is very simple.

Get started by following these steps:

1. Download and install the desktop app for macOS or Windows.

2. Launch the software, and select in turn “Google Drive” and “FTP & SFTP” from the list in the connection window.

The connection window of CloudMounter on Mac
Connecting between Google Drive and FTP as local drives via CloudMounter on Windows

3. Fill in the settings data for each connection in the corresponding fields.

4. Press “Mount”, and the software will map your storages as network drives.

5. Each of them will appear as a local drive on your file manager.

6. You can now copy your files like you typically would between local folders in Finder or File Explorer.

Google Drive and FTP mapped as drives on Finder
FTP and Google Drive appear as disks on Windows PC
Note:  For online documents such as Google Docs or Sheets, the program only saves links that can be moved between folders as small files. Such documents cannot be opened after copying. And if you move them from cloud storage to a local disk, they will also disappear from Google Drive.

5 key CloudMounter benefits to manage Google Drive and FTP files

This desktop application comes with additional benefits that we’re about to explore below.

  • Compatible with various storage providers. CloudMounter supports many cloud platforms like Dropbox, OneDrive, and Amazon S3, as well as remote servers via WebDAV, SFTP, FTPS, and FTPES protocols.
  • Unified management and inter-storage transfer. You no longer need to switch between several apps and browser tabs, due to the centralized control, which provides a single access point to various web services directly from your file manager.
  • Improved system performance. CloudMounter integrates directly with your Finder or File Explorer. This means no more cloud apps running in the background, putting a strain on your RAM. It’s a minimalistic solution to having to install countless cloud storage apps.
  • No local file duplication. CloudMounter doesn’t require you to store files locally, freeing up valuable hard drive space. Things no longer need to be downloaded and synced on your device.
  • Work offline on macOS. Even if you don’t have an available internet connection at the moment, you can still continue to use your files.
Note:  Remember to verify that your hard drive has enough free space to temporarily copy files from your cloud storage or remote server.

5 reasons why tech professionals use CloudMounter

Why do remote workers often prefer CloudMounter? It’s due to the following core features:

  • Support for multiple cloud storage accounts. CloudMounter makes work collaboration easier by combining shared drives from different storage services, e.g., both personal and team Google Drive accounts.
  • Access your online files instantly, from anywhere. Forget about syncing across devices – access your work files without prior downloading and move them across storage solutions.
  • Advanced security and data privacy. It uses AES 256-bit client-side encryption, making data unreadable without the user’s unique decryption key. Passwords and other sensitive data are securely stored in macOS Keychain or Windows Credential Manager.
  • On-demand access saves local storage. This is especially valuable when handling large files such as 3D models or videos.
  • Easy file sharing. Share your files via an http link directly from the context menu without opening the Google Drive website or the Drive for desktop app.

Conclusion

You can move files from Google Drive to FTP and vice versa natively, but it requires downloading everything locally, which makes the process cumbersome. The CloudMounter tool is a great alternative – it facilitates the use and transfer of data, adding further advantages such as multiple account access, improved security, offline work, and more.

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