Cloud Drives

Sync with Dropbox and Insync

Sync files from Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive. Dropbox provides its own syncing software, while Google Drive and OneDrive can be synced with Insync. Dropbox has free and paid plans, while Insync is paid software with a trial period.

• Sync With Dropbox
• Sync With Google Drive and OneDrive
• Troubleshooting
• Revisions
• Disclaimer

Keep cloud drives and local files synchronized with Insync.

Please read the disclaimer before proceeding. We review and update guided solutions regularly. If you have suggestions or requests, please write support@kfocus.org.

Sync With Dropbox

The Welcome Wizard gives you the option to use the Dropbox cloud drive app after your first sign-in. You may easily install and start Dropbox at any time using a single click from the Curated Apps page. Autostart can be adusted using System Settings > Startup and Shutdown > Autostart. To permanently disable autostart, delete the file ~/.config/autostart/dropbox.desktop.

Dropbox provides extensive documentation on how to use their sync client. We suggest you review this before you set it up.

Sync With Google Drive and OneDrive

The Welcome Wizard gives you the option to use the Insync cloud drive app after your first sign-in. This software can connect you to Google Drive or OneDrive accounts. You may easily install and start Insync at any time using a single click from the Curated Apps page. Autostart can be adjusted using System Settings > Startup and Shutdown > Autostart. Delete the file ~/.config/autostart/insync.desktop if you want to permanently disable autostart. While Insync also supports Dropbox files, we suggest you stick with the native Dropbox client.

Insync provides extensive documentation on very handy features like 1-way sync and selective sync. We suggest you review this before you set it up.

Check Insync's status in the system tray.

Troubleshooting

Q: I have noticed that my account avatar in Insync does not match the one I set for my Google account. How can I fix this?

A: Click on the top-right (+) to add another Google Drive account. Enter the address of the account you would like updated. After authorizing the account, Insnyc will update the avatar and then notify you that the account is already configured.

Q: I use Insync and have noticed that it can sometimes use 100% or more CPU and spin up the fans. This can't be good for performance or battery life. How can I improve this?

A: There is a known Insync bug that can drain the battery and spin the cooling fans. It does not affect all Insync users, but it does affect other computer models and OSes.

You can diagnosis this bug with the KDE System Monitor. Click on the Processes tab, click on the CPU column, and then search for the insync process. The bug is present if you see one or more Insync processes appear at the top with 50-100% CPU usage while not syncing files.

If you encounter this bug, it takes just a few seconds to fix: right-click on the Insync icon in the system tray and select Quit. The fans and CPU should subside in a few seconds. If this step did not remove the Insync processes, you can select them in KDE System Monitor and press delete to stop them.

When you restart Insync the usage should remain below 5% after syncing is complete. You may pause or disable Insync to conserve power.

Q: I see the following error message when fetching software updates. This happens when using Discover or the command-line. How can I fix this?

A: This is due to expired key. This can be fixed as illustrated below.

You may replace the keyserver URL with hkp://keyserver.ubuntu.com:80 if you need to work around a firewall. After updating the key, the error should be eliminated.

Disclaimer

We try hard to provide a useful solution validated by professionals. However, we cannot anticipate every situation, and therefore cannot guarantee this procedure will work for your needs. Always backup your data and test the solution to determine the correct procedure for you.

THIS SOLUTION IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS “AS IS” AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT OWNER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOLUTION, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.