How to set up a Mac for Google Workspace

Here are 5 ways to configure your macOS system to deal with Gmail, Google Drive and other Google Work space apps. Illustration: Andy Wolber/TechRepublic

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Apple’s Mac systems work well with Google Work space apps, such as Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Drive, Docs, Sheets and Slides. Each of the five choices listed below lets you utilize your Google account from macOS, ranging from the simplest setup to the much deeper connections that link information either to Apple’s apps or permit Google Drive access from the Finder. Many individuals might wish to check in to a new Mac and configure all 5 of the options covered below.

SEE: iCloud vs. OneDrive: Which is finest for Mac, iPad and iPhone users? (free PDF) (TechRepublic)

If you become part of a company, you may require to follow treatments aside from the ones noted below. Both Google Office and Apple Business Manager deal various business management choices that enable an administrator to simplify sign-ins, safe gadgets and control setups. Check with your system administrator for standards specific to your organization.

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Use Safari for a structured setup

Once you finish the macOS preliminary setup process and have actually set up all offered system updates, you may start Safari, go to Gmail and after that check in with your Google Work area account credentials. After you are visited, you might access other Workspace apps either from the app launcher menu (Figure A) or by typing in any Workspace app URL directly (e.g., https://docs.google.com for Google Docs). Considering That many Google Work space includes work well within Safari, this method lets you get to work rapidly.

Figure A

Sign in to your Google account in Safari and utilize Google Work area apps online.

However, as of January 2023, Google Work area apps don’t offer offline gain access to when utilized in Safari on a Mac. If you require to use Gmail, Calendar or Drive on your Mac without web gain access to, you’ll wish to explore the extra actions listed below. Nevertheless, if your Mac constantly has web access and offline work isn’t an issue for you, then the mix of Google Office apps accessed in Safari may suffice.

Install Chrome for full-featured deal with the web

Many people who prepare to deal with Google Work area on a Mac will wish to set up Chrome (Figure B), then sign in and use that web browser for all Workspace-related activities.

Figure B

To make it possible for offline work, download Chrome for macOS, then set up apps such as Gmail, Google Calendar and Google Drive for

offline access. You likewise may sync Chrome settings, such as bookmarks and history, with Chrome on numerous devices. This method not only enables you to set up and sync information for bookmarks, history, passwords and more across every Chrome web browser you use, but it also permits you to set up Workspace apps for offline work. You will require to change a few approval settings, such as enabling access to the cam and microphone for Google Meet, with additional modifications needed to make it possible for screen-sharing. Sign in with Google to connect data to Apple apps You may check in with your Google account and set it to sync Work area information to Apple’s apps. To do this, select Apple Menu > System Settings … > Internet Accounts > Include Account … > Google, and after that continue through the sign-in process( Figure C). Figure C From Apple Menu > System Settings, select Web Accounts, then Add Account as shown left wing. Next, choose Google, as shown on the right, and finish the authentication process. In most cases, you will want to enable the sliders for Mail, Contacts and Calendars, which allows these apps to sync Gmail, Google Contacts and Google Calendar information to each app, respectively. You may likewise wish to go to the Google Calendar Sync Settings tool on the web to pick specific Google Calendars to sync with iCal. Including your Google account in the Apple system settings can be helpful for offline data gain access to in apps as well as when you desire system actions to remain in sync with your Google account. For example, when you click a”mailto:”link on a websites, the system can open the Apple Mail app and produce a brand-new e-mail that is sent from and synced

As soon as finished, you’ll have the ability to access your system remotely from Chrome Remote Desktop. Figure E< img src ="https://www.techrepublic.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/e-MacWorkspace-ChromeRemoteDesktop.jpg "alt ="Chrome Remote Desktop configuration options to establish remote access"width="1400"height=" 875"/ > Configure Chrome RemoteDesktop to permit remote access to your system, either for assistance or for your own use from another computer. What’s your experience with Google Workspace on macOS? If you utilize Google Work space on a Mac, which of the above apps and configurations do you use? Are you a minimalist who chooses to exclusively check in to Google tools with Safari? Do you deal with Google Work area entirely through Chrome for macOS? Or do you connect your Google accounts to Apple’s Mail, Calendar and Contacts apps and count on Drive and Remote Desktop, too? Mention or message me on Mastodon (@awolber )to let me understand what sort of Google Work space setup you utilize on your Mac. Source