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Google One: The AP guide to Google's premium cloud storage service
Running out of Google Drive storage. Google One offers a lot of storage and some other awesome perks
An important parameter of any device is internal storage. It doesn't take much to fill it with apps, pictures, and videos. Since most devices don't come with SD card slots, you can only store apps and files on the device's internal storage. This is where cloud storage platforms, such as Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive, come into play. These services provide storage space without physical alterations and are often free of charge.
How to set up and use Google Drive on your Mac
You don't need to deal with a below-average Google Drive web app on your Mac
Google Drive offers 15GB of free storage, file-sharing options, cross-platform compatibility, and general ease of use. Users tend to go mobile and use the software on tablets, iPhones, and even the top budget Android phones. However, its desktop features make downloading Google Drive to your Mac a worthwhile experience. The application only takes a few minutes to set up for use.
While we're Android devotees here at AP, we still acknowledge great products and services in Apple's catalog (consider our guide on how to download movies and shows from Apple TV+). iCloud is an example of how Apple got it right. The iCloud cloud storage service is user-friendly and easy to use. It also includes many features and extras. It even comes with 5GB of data free of charge, with the option to upgrade to their paid alternative, iCloud+, for additional storage.
How to access Google Drive on any device
You can access Google Drive on almost any device, but the best way to access it changes by platform
Google Drive is one of the most-used cloud storage services in the world and comes as a standard app on Android phones. It's versatile, has a decent amount of free storage, and is great for consumers and businesses. There are options to upgrade the storage thanks to affordable Google One plans, which are a great option for people using one of the best budget Android phones that may not have much onboard storage.
How to permanently delete and restore files on your Google Drive
Deep clean your Google Drive account for better storage management
Google's 15GB of free cloud storage provides enough space for your important videos, pictures, documents, and audio. With your Google account, you can access these files from any internet-connected smartphone, computer, or tablet. If the free storage is insufficient for your needs, you can get additional space of up to 2TB with a Google One membership subscription, if you don't mind the cost.
This Google Drive competitor is now a full-fledged alternative
Privacy-focused Proton Drive has come to macOS, and can thus sync your files across all major platforms now
Google Drive is among the first names that come to mind when we think of the best cloud storage providers. But, come to think of it, there are just a few parameters which any service has to offer to become one of the best — privacy, support for multiple operating systems, and effortless file sync. Proton Drive nails the privacy aspect like all other Proton services, and it is now finally stepping up to Google Drive with a native app for macOS, making it possible to sync files across all major operating systems.
What is Verizon Cloud?
Verizon Cloud is an option for those who need a lot more cloud storage, especially Verizon users
Are your current cloud storage options dragging you down? Do you feel limited by the size of your plan or the app you use? There's a cloud storage option you may not have considered, even though it's been around for a while. It's called Verizon Cloud and offers space for users of all kinds.
Cloud storage is an excellent option to keep your pictures, videos, documents, and files safe. It's also an excellent way to free up storage on your phone, especially if you have a budget Android phone that doesn't have loads of internal storage. Google Drive is a popular cloud storage option. It's easy to use and affordable. It's a great service that packs handy features that give you access to your files and data from anywhere in the world and virtually any smartphone, tablet, or computer.
How to set up and use Google Drive on your iPhone
Google Drive is more capable on iOS than you think
Google Drive is the primary choice of cloud storage for Android and iPhone users, thanks to its ease of use, reliability, and cross-platform availability. It's one of the most powerful productivity apps on your phone, whether that's one of the best budget Android phones or a pricey Apple iPhone. While Drive comes pre-installed on Android devices, if you use an iPhone, you must download the app from the Play Store. When it's installed and you sign in, you'll find everything looks the same. That's because the Google Drive UI and its functions are the same no matter which platform you use.
Dropbox kills its unlimited cloud storage option because people kept abusing it
Overzealous users might've burst the unlimited cloud bubble
If you look around at all the best cloud storage options, giants like Microsoft and Google have already waved goodbye to their unlimited storage plans. Now, Dropbox has followed suit. Recently, Dropbox reported that it is revising its storage policy in response to a marked increase in non-business-oriented usage of its unlimited plan.
Get lifetime access to 20TB of cloud storage for just $100 right now
Just $100 gets you 20TB of cloud storage space right now
Keeping backups of your files is as important as ever, with practically everything stored digitally on your device or in the cloud. While grabbing a portable SSD can add a bit of on-hand storage space when you need it, sometimes you won't always have the option to connect and access your files.
Google Drive vs. OneDrive: Which cloud storage platform is better
Learn the stark differences between OneDrive and Google Drive
Google Drive and OneDrive are the best cloud storage platforms to upload and share your files. Google Drive is preinstalled on all Android phones and top tablets, while OneDrive has a neat integration with the Windows 11 desktop OS. Although the fundamentals remain the same, Google Drive and OneDrive differ on several factors. Let's compare Google Drive to OneDrive based on platform availability, user interface, sharing, price, and features and pick the perfect option for your needs.
With seamless sharing, a generous 15GB of free space, and tight integration with Google Workspace's and Android's best apps, Google Drive remains the de-facto choice for many users. Although the 15GB storage seems sufficient, you may quickly run out of Drive space due to countless emails, media backups, and large files. If you don't want to upgrade to one of the Google One plans, use the tricks below to free up space in Google Drive.
Most of Apple's services, including iCloud, don't technically have Android apps or a built-in way to access your cloud storage. That makes it complicated if you use both iOS and Android platforms or are switching from Apple to a different brand, like moving from an iPad to an Android tablet.
The top 8 cloud storage options
There are a lot of great options available for cloud storage, but here are the ones that are worth a look
We live in an increasingly virtual world. More and more companies offer remote work, and nearly everything is shared over the internet. So, it pays to have a backup of important files. Even though physical storage is cheap (the best microSD cards cost about 11 cents per gigabyte), having a good, reliable cloud storage option is a necessity.
Privacy-focused Dropbox alternative Proton Drive now has an Android app
Have instant access to your cloud storage, anywhere
Proton is the company behind Proton VPN and Proton Mail (which were unified under a single roof in May this year), and generally just known for its security-centric services. Proton also introduced a cloud storage service called Proton Drive in September, but users have been putting up with a web interface since then. Thankfully, the service finally has an app interface now, just like all the best cloud services do.
pCloud unveils deal for lifetime cloud storage services up to 85% off for Black Friday
This article is sponsored by pCloud
Longtime users of cloud-storage site pCloud will already be aware of the benefits of subscribing to the service. They can tell you at length about their ability to interact with their files via both the pCloud applications and the web, the built-in media player with which they can consume their audio and video immediately upon uploading them to the platform, the TLS/SSL encryption that ensures their files’ security, the ability to back up their files from other cloud services, as well as many other features that have made them proud patrons. After all, their testimonials on the pCloud site are numerous and emphatic. What I can tell you is that the service that includes all these features and conveniences is now on sale in honor of Black Friday.
It's time for Amazon Drive users to move all their files or lose them
The cloud storage service will be deprecated next year
Amazon is much more than just a shopping destination you can pick up a brand spanking new microwave oven from — it actually has something of an ecosystem of its own with both software and hardware products that give even the likes of Google and Microsoft a run for their money sometimes. Obviously, not all see success thanks to the intense, cutthroat competition in their respective categories. One such venture is a cloud storage application that's very similar to Google Drive. Chances are you haven't even heard of Amazon Drive until we brought it to your attention. If you're curious about dropping your files onto the service, though, it's probably too late.
You can now manage your Google storage straight from Gmail
One more app is bringing your Google One storage to the fore
Your Google One cloud storage is shared across a bunch of apps like Gmail, Drive, and Photos — whether it’s the free 15GB you get by default for all new accounts or you’ve paid to get extra, it can easily get spread thin. But for some of us, we sometimes forget it’s even there until we can't back up another photo or we're being urged to delete emails. Now, Google is adding one more place where you can keep track of your storage by incorporating a reminder of sorts in Gmail.
Sometimes it feels like we've all got more data than we know what to do with, and turning to Network Attached Storage (NAS) devices like those we've covered from Synology and QNAP can really ease the load for home users and for small businesses. People establish shared home storage or back up security systems, Over time, a good NAS can pay for itself with convenient and easily accessible storage. Unless, of course, it falls prey to insidious ransomware — which is exactly what's happening to some unlucky users right now.