> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://copy-cat.in/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Connect your Google Drive account to use Vault mode

> Link your Google account so Copycat can upload compressed photo previews to Drive, letting clients view and select images in their browser.

Vault mode gives your clients a private, browser-based gallery to review and select photos. To make this work, Copycat uploads compressed JPEG previews to your Google Drive — your original RAW files never leave your computer. Before you can create a vault, you need to connect a Google account that has sufficient Drive storage.

## Connect your Google account

<Steps>
  <Step title="Switch to Vault mode">
    Open Copycat and select **Vault** from the mode switcher. The Vault panel will appear with a prompt to connect your Google account if one isn't already linked.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Connect Google Account">
    Click the **Connect Google Account** button. Copycat will open a browser window (or tab) pointing to Google's sign-in page.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Sign in to Google">
    Sign in with the Google account you want to use for vault storage. If you're already signed in to Google in that browser, you may be taken directly to the permissions screen.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Grant Drive access">
    Google will ask for permission to let Copycat create and manage files in your Drive. Make sure you approve this permission — Copycat needs it to upload the preview folder for each vault.

    <Warning>If you skip or deny the Drive access permission, the connection will fail silently. You'll need to go through the connect flow again and approve all requested permissions.</Warning>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Return to Copycat">
    After granting access, the browser will redirect and you can switch back to Copycat. You'll see your Google account email displayed in the Vault panel, confirming the connection is active.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## What gets uploaded to Drive

Copycat creates a folder in your Google Drive named after your vault project. Inside that folder it stores compressed JPEG previews — not your original files.

| What's uploaded          | What stays local                         |
| ------------------------ | ---------------------------------------- |
| Compressed JPEG previews | Original RAW files (CR3, ARW, NEF, etc.) |
| Vault index (encrypted)  | Your source folder                       |

Preview files are typically a few hundred megabytes per vault session, depending on how many images you include and their resolution.

<Tip>Use a Google account with at least a few gigabytes of available storage if you run frequent vault sessions. Google One plans start at 100 GB for a low monthly cost if your free 15 GB fills up.</Tip>

## Disconnecting and reconnecting

**To disconnect:** click your account name or email in the Vault panel and choose **Sign out**. This removes the Google session from Copycat but does not delete any vault data already on your Drive.

**If your session expires:** Google OAuth tokens expire periodically. When that happens, Copycat will prompt you to reconnect the next time you try to create or access a vault. Follow the same steps above to reauthorize.

<Note>Disconnecting from Copycat doesn't revoke Copycat's access from Google's side. To fully revoke access, go to your Google Account settings under **Security → Third-party apps with account access** and remove Copycat from the list.</Note>