# Automatic FTP file backup to Google Drive: n8n workflow

> Started by a clock, and works across FTP and Google Drive. 4 steps: small enough to read in one sitting and change without fear.

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

[Automation library](https://millionrounds.com/workflows) · [Scheduling](https://millionrounds.com/workflows?category=Scheduling#library)

# Automatic FTP file backup to Google Drive

Started by a clock, and works across FTP and Google Drive. 4 steps: small enough to read in one sitting and change without fear.

Small

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

**4 steps** Small: readable in one sitting

**0** Branches: places the flow splits

**0** Loops or waits

**2** Services it connects to

## The flow

Starts it 1 Service 3

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

- 1 **Start: Every Hour** Cron *Starts it*
- 2 **FTP: List Files** Ftp *Service*
- 3 **FTP: Download File** Ftp *Service*
- 4 **Google Drive: Upload** Google Drive *Service*

## How it's built

- **Starts on:** A clock
- **Steps:** 4
- **Size:** Small: readable in one sitting
- **Connects to:** FTP, Google Drive
- **Model:** None. This is plumbing, not judgement

## Questions

What does it need to run?

An n8n account, plus your own FTP and Google Drive accounts. 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?

Not long. At 4 steps it can be read in one sitting and changed without fear.

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 4 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%2Fautomatic-ftp-file-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.

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

## Workflows like it

Also scheduling, with the same services where possible, closest in size first.

- [**Send scheduled email campaigns from Google Sheets with Gmail** 4 steps · Gmail, Google Drive](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/send-scheduled-email-campaigns-from-google-sheets-with-gmail)
- [**Submit iOS meeting notes to Obsidian with Google Drive** 4 steps · Google Drive](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/submit-ios-meeting-notes-to-obsidian-with-google-drive)
- [**Scheduled FTP/SFTP to MinIO backup with S3** 5 steps · FTP, S3](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/scheduled-ftp-sftp-to-minio-backup-with-s3)
- [**Scheduled Google Sheets data backup to Google Drive** 3 steps · Google Drive, Google Sheets](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/scheduled-google-sheets-data-backup-to-google-drive)
- [**Scheduled n8n workflow backups to Google Drive** 5 steps · Google Drive](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/scheduled-n8n-workflow-backups-to-google-drive)
- [**When specific event created in Google Calendar, duplicate** 5 steps · Google Drive](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/when-specific-event-created-in-google-calendar-duplicate)