How to Configure Rclone with Google Drive (Step‑by‑Step Guide)

https://github.com/rclone/rclone

This guide walks you through setting up Rclone with Google Drive using your own Google Cloud OAuth credentials. It is suitable for backups, migrations, and syncing data between Google Drive and your local machine.

Prerequisites

  • Google account

  • Access to Google Cloud Console

  • Windows machine (steps can be adapted for Linux/macOS)

  • Basic command‑line familiarity

Step 1: Download and Install Rclone

Download Rclone from the official site:

👉 https://rclone.org/downloads/

https://github.com/rclone/rclone/releases

  1. Extract the archive

  2. Move the folder to:

    C:\Program Files\Rclone

  3. (Optional) Add Rclone to your System PATH for global access

or winget search rclone
 Rclone.Rclone ,  RcloneUI.RcloneUI , Bdrive.RcloneView

winget  install Rclone.Rclone

Step 2: Create a Google Cloud Project

  1. Open Google Cloud Console:
    👉 https://console.cloud.google.com/

  2. If you don’t have a project, create one:
    👉 https://console.cloud.google.com/projectcreate

  3. Select the newly created project

Step 3: Enable Google Drive API

  1. Go to API Dashboard:
    👉 https://console.cloud.google.com/apis/dashboard

  2. Open API Library:
    👉 https://console.cloud.google.com/apis/library

  3. Search for Google Drive API

  4. Click Enable

Step 4: Configure OAuth Consent Screen

  1. Go to Credentials:
    👉 https://console.cloud.google.com/apis/credentials

  2. Click OAuth consent screen

  3. Choose External (recommended)

  4. Fill required fields:

    • App name

    • User support email

    • Developer contact email

  5. Save and continue

Step 5: Add OAuth Scopes

On the Data Access tab, add the following scopes:

Scopes reference:
👉 https://console.cloud.google.com/auth/scopes

Save and continue

Step 6: Create OAuth 2.0 Client ID

  1. Navigate to Credentials

  2. Click Create Credentials → OAuth Client ID

  3. Application type: Desktop App

  4. Save and note down:

    • Client ID

    • Client Secret

📘 Official Rclone guide:
👉 https://rclone.org/drive/#making-your-own-client-id

Step 7: Publish App (Recommended)

To avoid authorization warnings:

  1. Go to Verification Center

  2. Publish the app (even if unverified)

without publishing it will show error 

Step 8: Configure Rclone

  1. Open Command Prompt inside:

    C:\Program Files\Rclone

  2. Run:

    rclone config

  3. Follow prompts:

    • n → New remote

    • Name: test

    • Storage: 22 (Google Drive)

    • Enter Client ID

    • Enter Client Secret

    • Scope: full access (default recommended)

    • Root folder ID: leave blank (or add shared folder ID)

    • Auto config: y

  4. Browser opens → authorize Google account

Step 9: Path Format in Rclone

Rclone paths follow this format:

drive_name:path

Example:

test:backup/folder

Step 10: Copy Data from Google Drive to Local

Example command:

rclone copy test: C:\Intel \
  --drive-root-folder-id some-random-share-id \
  -P

Flags Explained

  • test: → Rclone remote name

  • C:\Intel → Local destination

  • --drive-root-folder-id → Shared Drive or folder ID

  • -P → Progress view

Common Use Cases

  • Backup Google Drive to local storage

  • Sync shared drives

  • Migrate data between Google accounts

  • Scheduled backups using Task Scheduler / cron

Troubleshooting Tips

  • Re‑run rclone config if auth fails

  • Ensure Google Drive API is enabled

  • Use rclone ls test: to verify access

  • Check quota limits in Google Cloud Console

References

✅ Your Rclone + Google Drive setup is now complete.