Insync Frequently Asked Questions

Insync is a Google drive client for Linux, Mac and Windows. Insync is an application that syncs all your Google Drive, Dropbox and/or OneDrive accounts to your local filesystem. 

This page is designed to field commonly asked questions regarding the InSync application. 

Insync FAQ Table of Contents

If your Insync-related question is not addressed on this page, then please feel free to email helpdesk@cims.nyu.edu Your question may appear on the next iteration of this page! 

What is Insync?

Insync is an application that syncs all your Google Drive, OneDrive, and Dropbox accounts to your local filesystem. Insync can integrate with your file manager so that one can use their Google Drive, OneDrive, and/or Dropbox files locally, while still gaining the benefits of cloud-based storage. The Insync client can easily sync data between a CIMS machine and the cloud. We suggest users connect Insync to their NYU Google account.

We recommend users purchase a personal lincense for Insync. Note that this cost is not covered by NYU or CIMS.

Is there a cost for using Insync? 

Yes, there is a cost for obtaining an Insync license. The current cost of an Insync account license can be found on the official Insync pricing site.

Note: Once purchased, the Insync license is linked to one email account. You can use the Insync license to sync one Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox account that is associated with that email. 

If you have multiple cloud services (e.g., Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive) all connected to the same email address, then you can sync all of those cloud services under a single Insync license. Alternatively, if you wish to sync files from multiple email accounts (i.e., two different Google Drive and/or Dropbox accounts, each associated with different email addresses) then you would need to purchase an additional Insync license -- one for each email account.

For example, if you have a Google Drive account associated with personal_email@gmail.com, and a Dropbox account associated with work_email@gmail.com, then you would need to purchase separate licenses for each unique email address. Conversely, if you had a Dropbox account and a Google Drive account linked to personal_email@gmail.com, then you can sync both of these cloud services under the one Insync license associated with personal_email@gmail.com. 

An Insync license can be used on an unlimited number of computers.

How can I Install and/or Launch Insync? 

Good news! As of October 2024, Insync is currently installed on all CIMS Linux desktop machines. To launch Insync, search for the Insync application icon, and then click on it. Alternatively, you can find the Insync application nested within the "Internet" application group on your CIMS machine.  

Once launched, simply follow the onscreen instructions to add your Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox account to Insync. 

Alternatively, If you are trying to install Insync on a non-CIMS machine, then the application can be downloaded from Insync's Download page.

Can you run a Headless version of Insync?

A Headless version of an application is essentially a text-based version of the application without a Graphical User Interface (GUI). Fortunately, a headless version of Insync can be run entirely on Terminal/Command Line Interface. This headless version of Insync is particularly useful if you're running a headless server or managing everything through SSH commands. 

The headless version of the Insync process is currently installed on all CIMS Linux machines. To see a helpful list of Headless Insync commands, open a Terminal window and enter insync --help

For further information regarding controlling Insync via the command line or Terminal, please consult the official Insync Command Line guide