Proton Drive Launches Private, Encrypted Cloud Storage for Mac

Swiss privacy-focused company Proton has expanded its suite of services by introducing its end-to-end encrypted (E2EE) cloud storage for Mac users.

This move allows Proton to offer a privacy-focused alternative to major tech companies across all major platforms, including iPhone, Android, Windows, and the web.

Available on Major Platforms

Proton Drive's availability on various platforms is a significant achievement for the company, emphasizing its platform-agnostic approach. Users can seamlessly transition between Mac and Windows or between iPhone and Android without compromising functionality.

The newly launched macOS app facilitates easy synchronization of files between Mac devices and the cloud, providing offline access and enabling users to free up local storage space, all while maintaining end-to-end encryption and privacy as default settings.

Proton Drive implements automatic end-to-end encryption on the user's device before uploading data to the cloud. Notably, this approach ensures that even Proton itself cannot access the content of users' files.

The comprehensive end-to-end encryption also encompasses metadata, including file names and modified dates.

The macOS application of Proton Drive shares similarities with other applications in the Proton Drive suite, integrating cryptographic signatures to ensure the authenticity of files and prevent any potential tampering with data.

The app will also be open-sourced and is currently undergoing an independent security audit, allowing users to verify the encryption processes.

Streamlining File Syncing and Access

The app aims to streamlines the file syncing and access experience. Synced files appear in the Proton Drive folder on the user's hard drive but are stored on-demand, conserving local storage until needed.

A cloud icon indicates whether files are stored on the cloud or available locally. Additionally, users can easily free up space by removing downloads when done with a file.

Any files or folders saved in the Proton Drive folder are automatically synchronized online, ensuring data consistency across all devices.

The app also features a Tray app located in the top right corner of the screen, offering a quick overview of sync status and one-click options for pausing sync or accessing Proton Drive.

Furthermore, the macOS app allows offline access to files and folders, enabling users to download and edit data without an internet connection. Edits are stored as new file versions, allowing users to track changes and revert to previous versions when needed, enhancing file protection.

Proton emphasizes its commitment to user privacy by offering a free plan, Proton Drive Free, providing end-to-end encrypted storage and access to other encrypted services, including Proton Mail, Proton Calendar, Proton VPN, and Proton Pass.

"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 company said in a statement.

"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."