Frequently asked questions

Do my files go through an HTKapp server?

No. Your files only travel between your computer and your Google account, over an encrypted connection. HTKapp has no intermediate server, receives neither usage statistics nor error reports, and never sees your password: you authorise the application on Google's own sign-in page, in your browser.

Why do I need an invitation to connect a Google account?

Google verifies every application that asks for full access to Google Drive before opening it to everyone, and this verification of HtkCloudSync is under way. Until then, only invited accounts can connect: ask for access through support with the address of the Google account. During this period, Google shows a warning screen before the authorisation page and limits each authorisation to seven days. The details are in Adding an account.

What happens if I close the window?

Nothing stops. Syncing is done by a service running in the background; the window is only a dashboard. The system tray indicator keeps showing the status, and notifications keep coming.

How do I stop syncing entirely?

For a temporary break, Pause (one account, or all at once from the indicator's menu). To stop the service, Quit the service in the indicator's menu, or the quit command of the command line. So that it no longer starts with your session, turn off “Start with the session” in “Settings”.

The icon does not appear in the top bar

The indicator is shown thanks to Ubuntu's indicator extension, enabled by default. On a GNOME desktop without an extension of that kind, the icon is not drawn, but the service runs and the window stays reachable from the activities overview.

A file has conflict in its name

The same file was changed on both sides with different contents. HtkCloudSync kept both versions: the original now holds the cloud's version, the copy marked conflict (conflit if the app was in French) holds your computer's version, with the machine's name and the time. Compare, keep what suits you, delete the other: the deletion goes through the trash. See Conflicts.

Why does the account show “Choose folders to sync”?

An account you have just connected downloads nothing until you have chosen the folders to keep on the computer. Open the “Folders” page, untick what should stay in the cloud, then click Start syncing. See First sync.

Why “Sign-in required”?

The saved sign-in for this account no longer works: permission removed from your Google account, password changed, session expired. Click Sign in again, choose the same Google account in the browser, and everything resumes without downloading anything again. See Adding an account.

Why “Attention required”?

Google Drive or your disk is full: the transfers concerned wait, the others go on. Free some space, for instance by emptying the Google Drive trash from the “Accounts” page, and the waiting transfers resume on their own. See Google Drive trash.

Why are my Google Docs tiny files?

A Google document does not exist as a downloadable file. HtkCloudSync represents it by a link file that opens the document in your browser; renaming, moving or deleting that file acts on the document. See Google documents.

How do I free space on my Drive?

The files you delete go to the Google Drive trash and still count there for thirty days. The “Accounts” page shows how much it weighs; the Empty the cloud trash… icon empties it after confirmation. It is the only permanent deletion the app can do.

Can I change the local folder of an account?

Not directly. Disconnect the account (without ticking the trash checkbox if you want to keep the files), move the folder where you want it, then add the account again pointing to that folder. During the first sync, files identical on both sides are recognised without transfer.

Are shared drives and “Shared with me” synced?

Not in this version: HtkCloudSync syncs “My Drive”. An item shared with you is synced if it is added to “My Drive” from Google Drive. Drive shortcuts are ignored.

How do I know a new version is out?

The application tells you: an “A new version is available” notification and a banner in the window, with the Download the package button. It checks once a day on htkapp.com, as soon as an account is connected. Installing then works like the first time: the Getting Started page details the update.

Is HtkCloudSync available for Windows or macOS?

No. HtkCloudSync is an Ubuntu application, built for the GNOME desktop. HTKapp covers macOS, iPhone and iPad with its other applications.

Why are some messages in French?

The window, the indicator, the activity log and the status messages follow the language of the app. A few error messages of dialogs (for instance when adding an account fails) are still written in French by the service; their translation is in progress.

Where is the log for support?

In “Settings”, “Advanced” group, the “Daemon log” row shows the location of the file and the Open button opens its folder. You can also export the “Activity” page to CSV. Neither contains the content of your files nor your sign-in.

Another question? Contact support.