Backing up your Google Drive files to an external hard drive is a smart move for anyone who values their data. Whether you're worried about losing access to your cloud storage or simply want an extra layer of protection, creating a local backup gives you peace of mind. In this guide, I'll walk you through six straightforward methods to download your Google Drive content to an external hard drive, ensuring your important files remain safe and accessible.

Why Backup Google Drive to an External Hard Drive?

Before diving into the methods, let's quickly understand why backing up your Google Drive to an external drive makes sense:

• Protection against account lockouts or service disruptions
• Offline access to important files
• Extra security against data loss
• No ongoing subscription costs for storage
• Complete control over your data
• Protection against accidental deletions or malicious attacks

Now, let's explore the six easiest ways to create this backup.

Method 1: Manual Download and Transfer

The most basic approach requires no special software—just your web browser and file explorer.

Step-by-Step Process:

• Connect your external hard drive to your computer
• Open Google Drive in your web browser
• Select the files and folders you want to backup
• Right-click and select "Download"
• Wait for the download to complete
• Extract the downloaded ZIP file (if applicable)
• Move the files to your external hard drive

Pros:

• No additional software needed
• Complete control over which files to backup
• Works on any computer with internet access

Cons:

• Time-consuming for large amounts of data
• Manual process needs to be repeated for future backups
• No automatic syncing of changes

This method works best for occasional backups of selected files rather than your entire Google Drive. For smaller backups under 2GB, this approach is quick and doesn't require any special tools.

Method 2: Using Google Drive Desktop App

Google's official Drive app for desktop creates a local copy of your files that you can easily transfer to an external drive.

Step-by-Step Process:

• Download and install Google Drive for desktop from Google's website
• Sign in with your Google account
• Choose which folders to sync to your computer
• Wait for initial synchronization to complete
• Connect your external hard drive
• Copy the synced Google Drive folder to your external hard drive

Pros:

• Official Google solution
• Files are automatically kept in sync
• Easy to set up and use

Cons:

• Requires storage space on your computer before transferring to external drive
• May use significant bandwidth for large drives
• Manual copying to external drive still required

This method creates a continuously updated local copy of your Drive files, making it easy to periodically copy them to your external drive for safekeeping.

Method 3: Google Takeout for Complete Backups

Google Takeout allows you to export a copy of all your Google Drive content at once.

Step-by-Step Process:

• Visit Google Takeout (takeout.google.com)
• Sign in with your Google account
• Deselect all services except Google Drive
• Click "Next step"
• Choose your delivery method, file type, and size
• Click "Create export"
• Wait for Google to prepare your download (you'll receive an email)
• Download the export files
• Connect your external hard drive
• Extract and copy the files to your external drive

Pros:

• Comprehensive backup of all Google Drive data
• No need for third-party tools
• Preserves file organization structure

Cons:

• Can take days to prepare for large accounts
• Limited to one export request per day
• Not ideal for regular backups

Google Takeout is perfect for creating a full backup of your entire Google Drive, though it's less practical for frequent incremental backups due to processing time.

Method 4: Using Backup Software

Dedicated backup applications can streamline the process of backing up Google Drive to external storage.

Popular Backup Software Options:

• Backblaze
• Acronis True Image
• EaseUS Todo Backup
• Macrium Reflect
• AOMEI Backupper

General Step-by-Step Process:

• Install your chosen backup software
• Connect your external hard drive
• Use Google Drive for desktop to sync files locally first
• Set up a new backup job in your backup software
• Select your local Google Drive folder as the source
• Select your external hard drive as the destination
• Configure backup settings (scheduling, compression, etc.)
• Run the backup

Pros:

• Automation capabilities for scheduled backups
• Advanced features like versioning and incremental backups
• Often includes compression and encryption options

Cons:

• May require purchasing software
• Learning curve for some applications
• Still requires Google Drive desktop app for syncing

This approach is ideal if you're already using backup software for other purposes and want to include your Google Drive files in your regular backup routine.

Method 5: Using Rclone (For Advanced Users)

Rclone is a powerful command-line tool that can directly sync cloud storage to local drives.

Step-by-Step Process:

• Download and install Rclone from rclone.org
• Open Command Prompt or Terminal
• Run "rclone config" to set up Google Drive as a remote
• Connect your external hard drive
• Use the command: rclone copy googledrive:/ /path/to/external/drive/backup --progress
• Wait for the process to complete

Pros:

• Extremely powerful and flexible
• Direct transfer without using local storage
• Can be automated with scripts or scheduled tasks
• Free and open-source

Cons:

• Command-line interface may intimidate beginners
• Initial setup requires some technical knowledge
• Less user-friendly than graphical solutions

Rclone is perfect for tech-savvy users who want complete control over their backup process and prefer command-line tools for their efficiency and scriptability.

Method 6: Using MultCloud or Similar Transfer Services

Web-based services like MultCloud can transfer files directly from Google Drive to external storage connected to your computer.

Step-by-Step Process:

• Sign up for a MultCloud account
• Add your Google Drive account to MultCloud
• Connect your external hard drive to your computer
• In MultCloud, select "Transfer" or "Sync"
• Choose Google Drive as the source
• Select "WebDAV" as the destination type
• Configure WebDAV to point to your external drive (may require additional setup)
• Start the transfer process

Pros:

• Works without installing desktop applications
• Can transfer directly between cloud services
• Offers scheduling options

Cons:

• Free plans often have limitations
• May require technical setup for WebDAV
• Depends on third-party service availability

This method is useful if you prefer a web-based solution or need to transfer between multiple cloud services regularly.

Comparing All Methods

Method	Ease of Use	Speed	Automation	Cost	Best For
Manual Download	Easy	Slow	None	Free	Occasional small backups
Google Drive Desktop	Easy	Medium	Partial	Free	Regular backups
Google Takeout	Easy	Very Slow	None	Free	Complete one-time backups
Backup Software	Medium	Fast	Full	Often Paid	Regular scheduled backups
Rclone	Hard	Fast	Full	Free	Technical users, automation
MultCloud	Medium	Medium	Partial	Freemium	Multi-cloud users

Tips for Successful Google Drive Backups

Organizing Your Backup Structure

Before backing up your Google Drive, consider how you want to organize files on your external drive:

• Create a main folder for all Google Drive backups
• Use subfolders with dates for different backup versions
• Maintain the same folder structure as your Google Drive for consistency
• Consider separating personal and work files

Setting Up a Backup Schedule

Regular backups ensure your external drive stays current with your Google Drive:

• Daily backups for critical, frequently changed files
• Weekly backups for most personal documents
• Monthly backups for rarely changed archives
• Set calendar reminders if using manual methods

Verifying Your Backups

Always check that your backups worked properly:

• Open random files from your backup to ensure they're intact
• Compare file counts between source and backup
• Check file sizes match between Google Drive and your backup
• Test restoring files occasionally to confirm the process works

External Hard Drive Maintenance

Keep your backup drive in good condition:

• Store in a cool, dry place
• Handle with care to avoid physical damage
• Run disk checks periodically
• Consider replacing drives every 3-5 years
• Keep drives disconnected when not in use to prevent malware spread

Troubleshooting Common Backup Issues

Handling Large Files

If you have very large files in your Google Drive:

• Break backups into smaller chunks
• Use software that supports resumable transfers
• Consider using a wired connection instead of Wi-Fi
• Be patient with initial backups, which take longest

Dealing with Permission Errors

Sometimes you might encounter permission issues:

• Ensure you have full access to the external drive
• Run backup software as administrator if needed
• Check if any files are locked by other applications
• Verify you have sufficient permissions for all Google Drive files

Handling Synchronization Conflicts

When files change in multiple places:

• Most sync software will keep the newest version
• Consider enabling versioning if available
• Manually resolve conflicts for important documents
• Avoid editing the same files in multiple locations

What to Do If Backup Fails

If your backup process doesn't complete:

• Check internet connection stability
• Verify external drive has enough space
• Look for error messages in logs
• Try backing up smaller portions at a time
• Restart your computer and try again

Advanced Backup Strategies

Implementing the 3-2-1 Backup Rule

For maximum data protection:

• Keep 3 copies of your data (original + 2 backups)
• Store backups on 2 different media types
• Keep 1 backup offsite (or in the cloud)

Your Google Drive already serves as one copy, your external hard drive as another. Consider a second external drive kept in a different location for complete protection.

Encrypting Your Backups

To protect sensitive data on your external drive:

• Use backup software with built-in encryption
• Create encrypted containers with VeraCrypt
• Use BitLocker (Windows) or FileVault (Mac) for full-drive encryption
• Keep encryption passwords or recovery keys in a safe place

Automating Multi-Stage Backups

For users with complex needs:

• Use scripts to chain together multiple backup methods
• Set up conditional backups based on available space or time
• Implement rotation schemes for multiple external drives
• Configure email notifications for backup status

Quick Tip to ensure your videos never go missing

Videos are precious memories and all of us never want to lose them to hard disk crashes or missing drives. PicBackMan is the easiest and simplest way to keep your videos safely backed up in one or more online accounts. 

Simply download PicBackMan (it's free!), register your account, connect to your online store and tell PicBackMan where your videos are - PicBackMan does the rest, automatically. It bulk uploads all videos and keeps looking for new ones and uploads those too. You don't have to ever touch it.

Conclusion

Backing up your Google Drive to an external hard drive doesn't have to be complicated. Whether you prefer the simplicity of manual downloads, the convenience of Google's desktop app, or the power of specialized backup tools, there's a method that fits your needs and technical comfort level.

Remember that the best backup is the one you actually do consistently. Start with a method you're comfortable with, set a regular schedule, and verify your backups periodically. Your future self will thank you when you need to recover an important file or regain access to your data outside of Google's ecosystem.

By implementing one of these six methods, you're taking an important step toward protecting your digital life and ensuring your important files remain accessible regardless of what happens with your Google account or internet access.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I backup my Google Drive to an external hard drive?

The frequency depends on how often your files change and how critical they are. For most personal users, a weekly or monthly backup is sufficient. If you work with important documents daily, consider backing up more frequently—perhaps even daily. The key is establishing a regular routine you can stick with.

What size external hard drive do I need for Google Drive backup?

Choose an external drive with at least twice the capacity of your current Google Drive usage to allow for future growth. Check your current usage in Google Drive settings, and remember that Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides files take up more space when downloaded in Office formats. A 1TB or 2TB drive is sufficient for most users.

Will backing up Google Drive preserve file sharing settings?

No, backing up to an external hard drive only copies the files themselves, not their sharing settings or permissions. If you restore from these backups, you'll need to re-establish sharing settings manually. Some metadata like creation dates may be preserved depending on the backup method used.

Can I access Google Drive backup files without internet?

Yes! That's one of the main benefits of backing up to an external hard drive. Once the backup is complete, you can disconnect from the internet and still access all files stored on the external drive. This makes it perfect for working during internet outages or while traveling without reliable connectivity.

What happens to Google Docs files when backed up to an external drive?

When you backup Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides files, they're typically converted to Microsoft Office formats (like .docx, .xlsx, .pptx) or PDF files, since the native Google formats require internet access to open. This means you can view and edit them with compatible software, but some advanced formatting or collaboration features might not translate perfectly.