AlcoveYour Google Drive™, right in your file manager.
Alcove shows your Google Drive in Finder on macOS and in Dolphin and other file managers on Linux. Open any file, save it as usual, and Alcove keeps Drive in sync, straight between your computer and Google.
For macOS 14 Sonoma or later and Linux.
Works like any other folder
No separate app to browse your files and no syncing everything to disk. Your Drive is simply there, in the file manager you already use.
Files on demand
Your whole Drive shows up right away. A file downloads the moment you open it, so it doesn't take up space before you need it.
Saves sync by themselves
Edit and save as usual. Alcove uploads your changes in the background and brings in edits made on the web or other computers.
Every account you use
Add work and personal Google accounts side by side. Each one gets its own place in the sidebar.
My Drive and Shared drives
The same layout as on the web: your own files under My Drive, your team's under Shared drives.
Nothing lost in a conflict
If someone changed a file on Drive while you were editing it, Alcove keeps both: your version is saved next to it as a conflicted copy.
Ready for bad Wi-Fi
Changes you make while offline wait in line and go out as soon as you're back. Files you've opened before stay readable.
At home on macOS and Linux
Alcove follows the conventions of each desktop instead of bringing its own.
macOS
Your Drive appears in Finder's sidebar, built on Apple's own system for cloud drives.
- Files download when you open them and show their sync state in Finder.
- A menu bar icon shows what's syncing and lets you add or remove accounts.
- Opens at login if you want it to.
Requires macOS 14 Sonoma or later, on Apple silicon or Intel.
Linux
Each account is a regular folder under ~/GoogleDrive, listed in your file manager's sidebar with the Alcove icon.
- On KDE Plasma, a system tray widget shows accounts, transfers and settings.
- On XFCE, Cinnamon, MATE, LXQt, Budgie and GNOME (with the AppIndicator extension), a tray icon offers the same.
- Works with every app that opens files, from LibreOffice to the terminal.
Best on KDE Plasma 6.
Private by design
Alcove runs entirely on your computer. There is no Alcove server in between, so there is nothing of yours for us to see, keep or lose.
Straight to Google
Your computer talks to Google Drive directly. Your files, their names and your sign-in never pass through Ustek or anyone else.
Sign-in stays with you
Alcove keeps your Google sign-in encrypted on your computer, with the key in Keychain on macOS or your desktop's keyring on Linux.
No tracking
No analytics, no ads, no usage statistics. Alcove doesn't report anything about you or your files to us.
Try Alcove
Alcove is in early access. Tell us which system you use and we'll send you a build.
Request early accessQuestions
Is Alcove made by Google?
No. Alcove is made by Ustek RFID Elektronik Yazılım A.Ş. and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Google. It uses Google's public Drive API with your permission.
Why does Alcove ask to see, edit and delete all my Drive files?
Because it shows your whole Drive in your file manager and keeps it in sync in both directions: reading the files you open, saving your edits, and moving or deleting files when you do. Google's narrower permission would only cover files Alcove created itself.
Can Ustek see my files?
No. Alcove has no server. Your files go directly between your computer and Google, and your sign-in is stored only on your computer.
Does Alcove copy my whole Drive to my computer?
No. Folders and file names show up right away, but a file is only downloaded when you open it. Older downloaded copies are removed automatically to keep disk use in check.
What happens when I remove an account?
Alcove deletes that account's sign-in and its downloaded copies from your computer. Nothing is deleted from your Google Drive. To also withdraw Alcove's permission on Google's side, open Third-party connections in your Google Account and remove Alcove.