Apple apps (Pages, Numbers, etc) can't save a document if it's inside Google Drive

Question

Apple apps (Pages, Numbers, etc) can't save a document if it's inside Google Drive

Hi! The title is pretty clear: if I open, for example, a numbers document that's inside Google Drive, I won't be able to save or change it. It also won't be able to auto save. The error message is (translating approximatively from French): "The document could not be saved automatically. The file was modified by another application."

If I want to modify a document that's inside my Google Drive, I have to create a copy outside of Google Drive, change the document and the save it and then put it inside Google Drive again to replace the old one. Absolutely annoying, unsafe, long and definitely defeat the purpose.

It seems to be the case of a lot (if not ALL) of Apple apps: Pages, Numbers, but also TextEdit for example. All my apps are updated by the way.

The bug only appears if the document is inside Google Drive. I guess it works fine for iCloud Drive users, but my work does not allow me to use it and I have to use Google Drive instead. It should work, that's nonsense.

Thanks for your help!

Posted on Jun 22, 2022 9:00 AM

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Answer 1

SGIII

Level 8

37,562 points

Jun 24, 2022 6:56 AM in response to Harrylechienfou

Harrylechienfou wrote:

the fact that it works fine with iCloud should not prevent the apps to work fine with google drive too.

In an ideal world that would be true, I agree. But unfortunately for the user there is not 100% compatibility between ecosystems. How well does, for example, Google Sheets work with iCloud Drive?

One final thought. How do you have your File Type set? You might try changing that and see if it works:

I'd test that here but I am cautious about Google's privacy practices and tend to stay away from Google Drive.

SG

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Answer 2

SGIII

Level 8

37,562 points

Jun 22, 2022 7:34 PM in response to Harrylechienfou

Harrylechienfou wrote:

I guess it works fine for iCloud Drive users,

Yes, Numbers does definitely work fine with iCloud Drive! No need to guess.

This seems unlikely to be Numbers problem per se. It's most likely a Google Drive thing.

Your problem possibly has something to do with security and permission settings in Google Drive.

You might want to investigate that to see whether it takes you somewhere.

SG

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Answer 3

SGIII

Level 8

37,562 points

Jun 23, 2022 9:40 AM in response to Harrylechienfou

Harrylechienfou wrote:

I'm not against investigating Google Drive's settings but I'm not sure what to do or where to begin.

Have you tried googling (or better yet, searched using something more respectful of your privacy like Duck Duck Go)? The search term could be something like Google Drive permissions.

Or have you asked on a Google Drive forum?

Not sure why you are just experiencing the problem with Apple apps. I tend to use them as I think they are designed to be used -- tightly integrated with iCloud. The combination works well.

SG

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Answer 4

Jun 23, 2022 12:21 AM in response to SGIII

Google Drive is one of the most used cloud service out there (if not the most used), I think it is expected that Apple's products work fine with it...

If it's a problem coming from Google Drive, then why this problem only appears with Apple apps, like Pages or Numbers or TextEdit then? I'm not saying you are wrong, I actually don't know, but I'm surprised that these are your conclusions. For the moment, the problem affect 100% of my apple apps, and 0% of my other apps.

I'm not against investigating Google Drive's settings but I'm not sure what to do or where to begin.

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Answer 5

Jun 24, 2022 12:59 AM in response to SGIII

Thanks for your answer. I tried googling it, sure, but not asking directly on google forums. Guess I'll try that too. I thought asking here was a good idea since you guys most likely know apple apps way better than people using google products, and as an apple user, I thought it would be easier to solve the problem with your help.

Anyway, the fact that it works fine with iCloud should not prevent the apps to work fine with google drive too. I mean we're talking about the absolute bare minimum we should ask from apps: that they can modify and save files. Common, that's not too much to ask.

I only have the problem with apple apps because that's a problem created by apple apps, obviously. Or at least by the fact of using both apple apps and google drive.

I would be happy to use iCloud, believe me. I just can't: that's for work, and I don't choose the tools I use for work :(

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Answer 6

Ralf-F

Level 4

2,741 points

Jun 24, 2022 1:19 AM in response to Harrylechienfou

You wrote "... I just can't: that's for work, and I don't choose the tools I use for work :( ..."

Do I unterstand it correctly that your company told you that all data must be stored in Google Drive?

If so, do they allow you to use Apple software or do they require special software, so that your data can be used by other employees? Not all other software can read Apple files, Excel can not open Numbers files!

Are you the only employee that is using Apple software, if not what are the others do on this topic?

Ralf

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Apple apps (Pages, Numbers, etc) can't save a document if it's inside Google Drive

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