Cloud storage is a critical piece of our mission to build an internet that protects your privacy and secures your data. It’s where you keep your most sensitive files, from personal photos to identity documents. Unfortunately, the leading cloud storage providers today can scan your data and don’t use end-to-end encryption by default.
That’s why we’re pleased to announce that Proton Drive’s encrypted cloud storage is now available on all major platforms with the launch of our macOS app. In addition to Proton Drive apps for iPhone, Android, Windows, and web, we now offer Mac users a privacy-first alternative to Big Tech.
Being available on all major platforms is an important milestone because Proton is platform agnostic. Whether you use Mac or Windows, or iPhone or Android, Proton does not tie you to any specific hardware or operating system, and if you use Proton Drive, you can seamlessly move from one platform to another without losing functionality.
The app lets you easily sync files between your Mac and the cloud, access them offline, and free up space on your computer — all with end-to-end encryption and privacy by default.
An encrypted Swiss vault for files on Mac
Unlike iCloud, which does not offer end-to-end encryption by default for files and folders, Proton Drive uses end-to-end encryption for all your data across all devices. File encryption happens automatically on your device before uploading to the cloud. That means nobody — not even Proton — can see your files’ contents. End-to-end encryption is also used for all metadata, such as file names and modified date.
Like other Proton Drive apps, our Mac app also employs cryptographic signatures to guarantee file authenticity and prevent data tampering. And as with all Proton apps, Proton Drive for macOS will be open sourced and is undergoing an independent security audit, so anybody can verify how our encryption works.
Seamlessly sync your files
The Proton Drive macOS app makes file syncing and access a seamless experience. When you enable sync, all the files in your Proton Drive account sync directly to your Mac.
Synced files appear in the Proton Drive folder on your hard drive. But unlike other files on your computer, these files are synced on-demand, meaning they don’t take up any space on your computer until you need them. A small cloud icon next to the file or folder name makes it easy to see which files are on the cloud and which are available locally. Once you’re done with a file, you can free up space again by opening the menu and selecting Remove download.
Files and folders you save in the Proton Drive folder automatically sync online to Proton Drive, and any changes you make on your Mac are mirrored across all your other devices. This is especially helpful if your Mac is stolen or malfunctions.
The app also comes with a handy Tray app located in the top right corner of your screen. Clicking on the app icon provides you with a quick overview of your sync status. Additional options include pausing sync in one click, quick access to Proton Drive, and more.
Offline access and version history
Whether you’re on the go or off the grid, you can always use Proton Drive. The macOS app lets you click on a file or folder and download it for offline access, so you can access your data even without an internet connection. While offline, you can edit and save your work, and Proton Drive will sync the changes when you’re back online.
Additionally, Proton Drive for macOS stores edits as new versions of the file. You can easily access and restore previous versions of the files via the web interface. This feature lets you track changes and revert to previous versions when needed, adding an extra layer of protection for your vital files.
Get started with encrypted cloud storage
We believe everyone should have access to online services that respect their privacy. Our Proton Drive Free plan lets you get started storing your files and folders with end-to-end encryption and gives you access to our other encrypted services: Proton Mail, Proton Calendar, Proton VPN(new window), and Proton Pass.
And unlike Big Tech companies that offer “free” services while profiting off your data, Proton is truly free. You can support Proton’s mission by upgrading to premium plans for more storage space and advanced features.
Check out our Proton Drive plans.
What’s coming next in Proton Drive for Mac
With the introduction of Proton Drive for macOS, we’ve achieved a significant milestone in the fight for a better internet. But there’s more work to be done. Next on our roadmap is the ability to sync any folder on your Mac with Proton Drive, a popular feature in our Windows app.
Thank you for your support. Proton exists to serve the community, so please let us know your feedback and which additional features you want and we will add them. Share your thoughts and discuss with the Proton community on Reddit and Twitter:
Reddit: reddit.com/r/ProtonDrive(new window)
Twitter: twitter.com/ProtonDrive(new window)
