Google Drive Sync
Google Drive sync is optional and off by default. Aura Start remains usable as a local-only extension without connecting a Google account.
What sync stores
In Google Chrome, Aura Start stores one hidden sync file named
aura-start-sync.json in Google Drive appDataFolder.
In Firefox and compatible Chromium fallback builds, Aura Start uses a
narrower per-file Google Drive flow and creates or updates only Aura Start's
own sync file marked with Aura Start app properties. The sync file can
include groups, nested group relationships, links, settings, restore points,
and sync metadata needed to keep the backup current.
What Aura Start does not access
- No full Google Drive access.
- No reading or scanning normal visible Drive files.
- No visible Drive backup folder.
- No Google account use for analytics, tracking, advertising, or profiling.
Connection behavior
If a hidden Aura Start sync file already exists, Aura Start restores it after creating a local restore point. If no sync file exists, Aura Start creates one from your current local data. New users can also choose Restore from Google Drive during onboarding; when there is no hidden sync file, Aura Start shows a clear error and does not replace local data.
Automatic sync after connection
After Google Drive is connected, local group and link changes are queued and backed up automatically. There is no separate Sync now button in the current UI. Aura Start preserves the local Google Drive connection metadata when you import a JSON backup, so changing bookmark data does not disconnect sync by itself.
Authorization
Google Chrome uses the extension manifest OAuth configuration through
chrome.identity.getAuthToken and stores the sync file in the hidden
Drive appDataFolder with the drive.appdata scope.
Firefox builds and Chromium builds that reject the built-in identity token
flow use Aura Start's configured Google Device OAuth fallback. Device OAuth
uses the narrower per-file drive.file scope and creates or updates
only Aura Start's own aura-start-sync.json file marked with Aura
Start app properties. Users do not enter OAuth client IDs in Aura Start
settings.
Disconnect and delete backup
Aura Start provides a confirmed action to delete the hidden Drive sync file and disconnect the Google account. This does not delete local Aura Start data and does not touch normal Drive files. If authorization has already expired, Aura Start can still disconnect locally and will explain that the hidden Drive file may remain until reconnection.
Use local backups too
Google Drive sync is convenient, but Full Backup JSON is still the clearest portable backup format. Keep local file backups for important data.