Sync any Linux folder to Google drive using Rclone + systemd.

Avatar photoByAdil

Here is the steps to automatically upload your local files in the linux to google drive.

Contents in this blog.

  1. Connect Linux → Google Drive
  2. Auto-upload specific folders
  3. Prevent files from being deleted in Drive
  4. Pause/resume syncing anytime
  5. Run everything safely with minimal data usage

1. Install rclone

sudo apt install rclone
Check version: rclone version

2. Configure Google Drive

Run: rclone config
Choose: 

n) New remote
name: gdrive

Remote type > choose: drive

Client ID → press Enter
Client Secret → press Enter

Scope → choose: 1) Full access
Use auto config → choose Yes
Rclone will open your browser → Login → Allow access.
Then: Configure as a Shared Drive? → No
At the end: Keep this remote? → Yes
Verify: rclone lsd gdrive:
You should see your Drive folders.

3. Choose folders to auto-sync

Example folders: /home/arunkrish/workspace
These will upload to: gdrive:workspace

4. Why NOT use sync?

sync mirrors your folder, meaning files deleted locally get deleted from Google Drive.
Not good for backups.
So we use: rclone copy
This only uploads new/changed files — never deletes anything.

5. Create systemd auto-upload services

Workspace service 

mkdir -p ~/.config/systemd/user
nano ~/.config/systemd/user/gdrive-workspace.service

Contents: 

[Unit]
Description=Upload workspace to Google Drive

[Service]
Type=oneshot
ExecStart=/usr/bin/rclone copy /home/arunkrish/workspace gdrive:workspace --verbose --create-empty-src-dirs

Timer: 

nano ~/.config/systemd/user/gdrive-workspace.timer

Contents: 

[Unit]
Description=Run workspace uploader every 5 minutes

[Timer]
OnBootSec=2min
OnUnitActiveSec=5min

[Install]
WantedBy=timers.target

Enable: 

systemctl --user enable --now gdrive-workspace.timer

6. Confirm all timers 

systemctl --user list-timers

You should see: 

gdrive-workspace.timer

7. How Smart Auto-Sync Works

  • When internet is OFF → rclone waits.
  • When internet is ON → rclone uploads new files.
  • Already uploaded files → NOT uploaded again.
  • Files deleted locally → NOT deleted in Drive.
    This behaves like true cloud backup.

8. Pause Syncing Anytime (Low Data Mode)

If your internet is weak, pause auto-upload: 

systemctl --user stop gdrive-workspace.timer

Resume: 

systemctl --user start gdrive-workspace.timer

Disable permanently: 

systemctl --user disable gdrive-*.timer

9. Manual Upload (Optional)

If you want to force an upload right now:

rclone copy /home/arunkrish/workspace gdrive:workspace

10. Summary

With rclone + systemd:

  • Your folders upload automatically
  • Data usage stays low
  • No file ever gets deleted from Drive
  • Works even when offline
  • Full control (pause/resume anytime)
    This setup is cleaner and more powerful than official sync clients.

Similar Posts