“I have a few files, some of which are documents, and videos that my teachers have shared daily with their Google Drive accounts. I will graduate shortly and will not be able to access these files. The school currently maintains this Google Drive account and will be deleted soon. Now, all files stored on the drive are very important. Therefore, I want to know how to migrate Google Drive to another Google Drive entirely. Is there some possible way to do the same?”
—Benjamin
There are a few ways to move the files/folders stored in Google Drive, lying under the settings window. The user can move the copied files to another folder by simply making a copy. Take a look at further sections to learn about the best ways to move files between two Google Drive accounts.
Understanding Why Users Move Files From One Google Drive to Another!
Here are some reasons users might move files between Google Drives:
- Users need to reorganize files for better team collaboration and project management.
- Transferring files helps optimize storage space across multiple Google Drive accounts.
- Moving files allows for improved sharing settings and access permissions for collaborators.
- Users may consolidate files into a single account for simplicity and efficiency.
- Files are moved to reflect new ownership after team member transitions or departures.
- Users shift files to drives where team members can easily access them.
- Moving files to a premium account may offer more storage and features.
- Users often move files to differentiate personal and work-related documents effectively.
Reliable Techniques to Move Files From One Google Drive to Another!
There are multiple techniques the user can choose from to migrate files from one Google Drive to another. However, not all of the options provide value to the user. There are reliability issues with some of these methods and some of them are too lethargic. So, follow the instructions carefully for minimal disruptions.
Let’s look at the same –
Manual Method 1:
This is a straightforward method, and one can use this for free, without facing any technical issues like data loss. Here are the quick instructions to follow –
- Sign in to your Gmail account for moving Google Drive files.
- Select the required folder that you have to transfer to another Drive.
- In the new wizard, type the email address and hit on the Owner option.
- Now, you can see the selected folder is moved to the destination Google Drive account.
Also Read: How to Migrate Google Calendar to Office 365?
Manual Method 2:
Those who want to know how to move files from one Google Drive to another without using the above method or have little technical expertise can follow these steps:
- Sign in to your Gmail account and open Google Drive.
- Select the documents which have to be moved to a secondary account.
- Now, right-click and select the Download option to download the folder.
- Once you have downloaded all the documents and moved them to your local folder, log in to another account.
- Lastly to upload the files, select New, and then click on Upload File(s) / Folder. Now, select the files from the local folder.
Manual Method 3:
Transferring data from one Google Drive to another using the Google Takeout service. This service is provided by Google to move files from one Google Drive to another effortlessly. You can zip the file in different formats and unzip it while required.
- Search for the Google takeout and sign in to the account.
- Choose the Google account from which you want to create export.
- Select the delivery method. Now from the drop-down menu choose the “Add to Drive” option.
- Click on the “Create Export”. All the data is downloaded to your system in a zip file. Now you can upload the file to the new Google Drive.
Are There any Drawbacks to Using the Manual Methods?
There are several limitations and shortcomings associated with using the manual method to move files from one Google Drive to another, some of them are as follows:
- Complex and Tedious Process: Using a manual way for moving files from one Google Drive to another can be time-consuming as the process is divided into two separate parts – Download and Upload. Therefore, the user needs to spend a lot of time on the migration process.
- Technical Strength: The user must be technically skilled to perform these procedures. Otherwise, users have to spend a lot of time tinkering around with the data.
- Data Loss: Manual process does not provide you with data security and this could lead to data loss.
- Loss of Data Integrity: The manual method does not ensure the migration of data in a structured way. It is unable to maintain the original hierarchy and integrity of data once the migration process is completed.
- Absence of Modern Filters: Features like date filter, priority-based migration, etc are not available in the manual method.
Observational Verdict!
Google Drive storage is always a blessing because you can store your files there which can be accessed easily from anywhere as long as you are connected to an internet connection. It’s packed with tons of features that enable you to collaborate and invite users to share files. Sometimes, users want to move files from one Google Drive to another for many reasons. However, there is no straightforward guide available online, that’s why we are here to tell you about the most preferred manual solutions to complete the task hassle-free.
Recently Asked Queries!
Q1. Can I move entire folders between Google Drive accounts?
Yes, you can share the folder with your other account, and then make a copy in that account.
Q2. Will I lose my original files when moving them?
No, sharing or copying files will not delete the originals. The original files remain intact in the original account.
Q3. Is there a size limit for files being transferred?
Yes, Google Drive has a file size limit of 5 TB for individual files. However, ensure you have enough storage in the destination account.
Q4. Can I move Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides files?
Yes, you can move Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides in the same way as other files. Just remember to create a copy if moving to a different account.
Q5. Will my sharing settings change when moving files?
Sharing settings remain the same for the original files. However, when you make a copy in a different account, you’ll need to set new sharing permissions.