Access Cloud Storage in Chrome OS File Manager
Integrating Cloud Storage with Chrome OS File Manager
Google has successfully integrated its Google Drive cloud service directly into the Chrome OS file manager. For users heavily reliant on Drive, it functions seamlessly as native storage on a Chrome OS device.
However, if alternative services like Dropbox or network attached storage are preferred, the experience can feel less integrated. This guide details how to directly add these services to the Chrome OS file manager for quick and convenient access.
Adding Services: Two Approaches
There are two methods for achieving this integration. You can manually search for and add each service individually, or utilize the often-overlooked “Add new services” link within the file manager. The latter approach is considerably simpler, and will be demonstrated here.
This tutorial will focus on adding a Dropbox share, but the same procedure applies to the majority of other cloud storage services available.
Begin by opening the file manager. It’s identifiable by its blue circle icon containing a white folder.
On the left-hand side, you’ll find quick links to resources like Google Drive and Downloads. Locate the “Add new services” option, distinguished by a small plus icon.
Clicking this option will reveal “Install new from the webstore.” Select this to proceed.
A new window will appear, presenting a selection of installable services, including Dropbox, OneDrive, and Windows network shares. It’s important to note that many of these are developed by third-party developers, rather than being official Google extensions.
However, these extensions are recommended by Google within the “Add new services” menu, and are all open source, providing an added layer of assurance.
If you intend to mount a network-attached storage device, this app is required. It is a relatively recent addition and currently isn’t listed directly in the “Add new services” menu.
Click the install button next to the desired service. A confirmation popup will appear, and the installation process should complete within seconds. Upon completion, the service should launch automatically.
In this example, the File System for Dropbox window will open, featuring a “mount” button. Clicking this button will initiate a Dropbox login. Enter your credentials, and the service will be automatically mounted within the file manager.
The process is now complete. Dropbox, or your chosen service, will appear as a readily accessible option in the file manager's bookmarks bar.