gdrive streamed in Finder - How to open video directly instead of downloading first

goulash23 wrote:

I have gdrive set to "Stream Files", on Windows if I double click or use "Open with" on a video file, the video will be opened by VLC streaming the video directly.

On macOS the Finder always starts downloading the file before opening it with VLC regardless of double tab or "Open with".

I found this reddit post Video not streaming from Finder : gsuite, but the linked solution didn't work, as files are still downloaded before played when gdrive has a separate directory ~/Library/Application\ Support/Google/DriveFS/fp_left_beta

Before posting I searched the community for similar questions but couldn't find any.

Any suggestion how to stop downloading when opening streamed video files from Finder?

and what about using Quick Look... Spacebar

goulash23 wrote:

> View and edit files with Quick Look on Mac - Apple Support

I'm sorry, now understand what you mean, so I selected a video file in Finder, pressed Spacebar, this opened the "Quick Look" as suggested:

https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/7989b6f4-1651-4d4b-ab64-60517e449183

As you can see, I have the option "Open with mpv", when clicked, this will ALSO start downloading the file first.

Again when opening the file via mpv player directly, this will start the video directly, streaming it.

Well— there you go, such is life. I would do what works.

If you think it is worthy of a report send it in—

 file a bug report /submit your Apple Feedback here:  hhttp://www.apple.com/feedback

there are other options to compare your results if your "google drive" is the issue and does not play nice:

Dropbox

Onedrive

iCloud

Google Drive Help

Contact Google Drive support - Computer

goulash23 wrote:

> and what about using Quick Look... Spacebar

Spotlight also starts downloading the file, I have forgotten to mention that it works when opening the file directly in VLC, but it's cumbersome to open the player first...

View and edit files with Quick Look on Mac - Apple Support