# Automated n8n workflow backup to Google Drive: n8n workflow

> Started by a clock, and works across Google Drive. 17 steps, 3 loops or waits: a working afternoon to understand properly.

Source: https://millionrounds.com/workflow/automated-n8n-workflow-backup-to-google-drive (Millionrounds; every figure on the page links to its filing or article)

[Automation library](https://millionrounds.com/workflows) · [Documents and files](https://millionrounds.com/workflows?category=Documents+and+files#library)

# Automated n8n workflow backup to Google Drive

Started by a clock, and works across Google Drive. 17 steps, 3 loops or waits: a working afternoon to understand properly.

Medium

[Download free](https://millionrounds.com/login?next=%2Fapp%2Fworkflow%2Fautomated-n8n-workflow-backup-to-google-drive)

**17 steps** Medium: a working afternoon

**0** Branches: places the flow splits

**3** Loops or waits

**1** Service it connects to

## The flow

Starts it 1 Logic 10 Service 6

The steps in the order they run, from what starts it.

- 1 **Schedule Trigger** Schedule trigger *Starts it*
- 2 **Settings** Set *Logic*
- 3 **Date Time** Date Time *Logic*
- 4 **Date & Time Format** Date Time *Logic*
- 5 **Date & Time Hour** Date Time *Logic*
- 6 **Google Drive Backup Folder** Google Drive *Service*
- 7 **Get All Workflows** Http Request *Service*
- 8 **Extract Workflows** Code *Logic*
- 9 **Move Binary Data** Move Binary Data *Service*
- 10 **Split In Batches** Split In Batches *Logic*
- 11 **Google Drive Upload Workflows** Google Drive *Service*
- 12 **Start cleanup (run once)** Set *Logic*
- 13 **Wait** Wait *Logic*
- 14 **Search files and folders** Google Drive *Service*
- 15 **Sort and isolate old folders** Code *Logic*
- 16 **Loop over folders to delete** Split In Batches *Logic*
- 17 **Delete old folder** Google Drive *Service*

## How it's built

- **Starts on:** A clock
- **Steps:** 17, 3 loops or waits
- **Size:** Medium: a working afternoon
- **Connects to:** Google Drive
- **Model:** None. This is plumbing, not judgement

## Questions

What does it need to run?

An n8n account, plus your own Google Drive account. You connect your own accounts after importing it; none are included.

What starts it?

It starts on a clock.

Does it use AI?

No. Every step is fixed logic or a call to a service, so it does the same thing every time.

How long does it take to set up?

Plan an afternoon. 17 steps is enough that you should read each one before running it.

How do I import it?

Copy the workflow, open a new workflow in n8n and paste. The steps appear on the canvas, ready for your own accounts.

**Before you run it**

Nothing here has been tested by us. It is somebody's working automation, read and described from its own steps. Treat the connections it wants as a list of accounts it will touch, and read the 17 steps before you point it at anything that matters.

## Run it in n8n

- **Create your n8n account** Free to start. n8n is where the workflow runs. [Create an n8n account ↗](https://millionrounds.com/n8n)
- **Download the workflow** Free with a Millionrounds account. [Download free](https://millionrounds.com/login?next=%2Fapp%2Fworkflow%2Fautomated-n8n-workflow-backup-to-google-drive)
- **Paste it into n8n** Open a new workflow in n8n and paste. Then connect your own accounts.

Stored with the author's traces removed: canvas notes, instance identifiers, saved credential names and any live document they had left behind.

## Connects to

Each opens the other workflows that use it.

[Google Drive](https://millionrounds.com/workflows?service=Google+Drive#library)

## Workflows like it

Also documents and files, with the same services where possible, closest in size first.

- [**Backup workflows and credentials with Google Drive** 17 steps · Google Drive](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/backup-workflows-and-credentials-with-google-drive)
- [**Create a searchable document archive with Telegram and Drive** 17 steps · Airtable, Google Drive](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/create-a-searchable-document-archive-with-telegram-and-drive)
- [**Parse and Extract Data from Documents/Images with Mistral** 17 steps · Google Drive](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/parse-and-extract-data-from-documents-images-with-mistral)
- [**Create an auto-journal from WhatsApp with Gemini** 17 steps · calls a model · Google Docs, Google Drive](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/create-an-auto-journal-from-whatsapp-with-gemini)
- [**Generate Anki flash cards for language learning** 17 steps · calls a model · Google Drive, Google Sheets](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/generate-anki-flash-cards-for-language-learning)
- [**OCR document processing from LINE/Gmail with OpenAI** 17 steps · calls a model · Gmail, Google Drive](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/ocr-document-processing-from-line-gmail-with-openai)