Google addresses syncing glitch in Drive desktop app; advises users on recovery process

Google has finally addressed the recent syncing issues with Google Drive version 84 from a week ago, which caused data loss for a segment of desktop users. The glitch prevented local file changes from syncing to Drive, although it did not influence changes already synced and visible on the mobile app or web UI.

To fix this, users are advised to download and install the latest version of the Drive desktop app, then use the "Recover from backups" option in settings to begin the recovery process, which will create a new folder on the desktop named "Google Drive Recovery" with the unsynced files. Google also offers a command line method for Windows and Mac users with a backup of the Drive desktop account directory or those wanting to restore files to a specific location. Users are cautioned against disconnecting the account or deleting/moving the app data folder as it could disrupt the recovery process.

For users who have uninstalled the app or disconnected the account, Google recommends using Windows Backup and Restore or macOS Time Machine to restore the system to a point when the Drive cache was still available (a little annoying tbh). If you are one of the affected Drive users and are considering exploring some interesting alternatives, you might want to take a look at platforms like Syncthing, Nextcloud, or even better, Proton Drive, especially since they recently announced an encrypted photo backup feature for their mobile app.