Introduction

This article explains how to switch between Google Drive accounts smoothly while ensuring a secure transfer of all your files, documents and photos. Whether you’re moving to a new workplace, finishing school, or combining multiple accounts, you’ll learn trusted ways to move your data safely and efficiently.

The good news is that Google provides several secure and convenient methods to help you transfer your files without risking data loss. In this guide, we’ll walk you step by step through how to transfer files from one Google Drive account to another while maintaining complete data integrity. You’ll also learn best practices to keep your files organized and protected throughout the process, making your transition to the new account easy and worry-free.

Things to Know Before Transferring Files

Before you start moving files from one Google Drive account to another, it’s important to understand how the process works and what to expect. When you transfer Google Drive files, the files themselves are not deleted. Instead, ownership moves from your old account to the new one. This means you should double-check sharing settings to ensure that collaborators and shared links continue to work correctly after the transfer.

Not all files transfer in the same way. For example, files that were only shared with you and not owned by you will not automatically move to your new account. Orphaned files, which are documents without a folder, may still exist after the transfer but can be harder to locate.

If you have a large number of files, the transfer may take some time. While some methods allow you to move all Google Drive files at once, it can be helpful to break the migration into smaller batches and verify that everything has transferred successfully.

Methods to Transfer Files from One Google Drive Account to Another

There are several ways to move your files from one Google Drive account to another. We will go through the most effective methods, starting with options for Google Workspace admins and then covering solutions for personal accounts. Each method includes clear, step-by-step instructions.

Method 1: Transfer Using Google Workspace Admin Console

This method is ideal for administrators in organizations who need to transfer ownership of Drive files from one account to another. It allows you to move all Google Drive files at once while preserving most sharing settings and folder structures.

Step 1: Sign in to the Admin Console
Go to admin.google.com and sign in using your administrator account credentials.

Step 2: Open the Data Migration Tool
From the Admin Console dashboard, navigate to Apps > Google Workspace > Drive and Docs.
Open the Data Migration Tool

Step 3: Select Transfer Ownership
In the Drive and Docs settings, click on Transfer ownership to open the transfer configuration page.

Step 4: Enter the Source Account
In the From user field, enter the email address of the current file owner — the user whose Drive files you want to transfer.

Step 5: Enter the Destination Account
In the To user field, enter the email address of the new owner — the person who should receive the transferred files.

Step 6: Select Transfer Options
Choose whether you want to transfer all Drive files or only specific files.
You can also apply filters to limit the transfer to particular folders or file types.

Step 7: Start the Transfer
Click Transfer files to begin the process.
Depending on the total number and size of files, the transfer may take some time to complete.

Step 8: Verify the Transfer in the Destination Account
After the transfer is finished, log in as the destination user and check Google Drive.
The transferred files will appear in a folder named “Transferred from”.

Tip: Avoid suspending the old account until you have confirmed that all files have transferred successfully.

Notes:

  1. Only a Google Workspace administrator can transfer ownership of files using this method.
  2. Once the transfer is complete, the original owner will lose ownership of those files.

Method 2: Manual Sharing and Copying

This method works best for personal accounts or Google Workspace users who do not have administrator privileges. It allows you to move files without relying on admin tools.

Step 1: Log in to Your Source Account
Open drive.google.com and sign in with the account that contains the files you want to transfer.

Step 2: Select the Files or Folders
Click on the files or folders you want to transfer. You can use Shift + Click to select multiple items.

Step 3: Share Files with the New Account
Right-click the selected files, choose Share, and enter the email address of the new account. Make sure to select Editor permission.
Share Files with the New Account

Step 4: Accept the Files in the New Account
Log in to the new account, go to Shared with me, and move the shared files into My Drive.

Step 5: Organize Your Files
Create folders as needed and arrange files to maintain the original structure.

Tip: You can use this method to transfer only specific files if you do not want to move everything at once.

Method 3: Using Google Takeout

Google Takeout is an alternative method for moving large amounts of data from one account to another. This is useful if you want a complete export of all files from the old account.

Tip: Keep in mind that shared links and permissions do not transfer with Google Takeout. You may need to re-share certain files manually.

Step 1: Open Google Takeout
Go to takeout.google.com and log in to your old account.

Step 2: Select Google Drive
From the list of services, select Drive and choose the file formats you want to export.
Select Google Drive

Step 3: Export Your Files
Click Next and then Create Export. Google will prepare an archive of your files, which may take some time depending on the size.
Export Your Files

Step 4: Download the Archive
Once the export is ready, download the archive to your computer.

Step 5: Upload to Your New Account
Log in to your new Google Drive account and upload the files from the downloaded archive.

Best Practices for Transferring Google Drive Files

Following a few simple best practices can make your file transfer smoother and ensure that your data stays organized. These tips will help you transfer Google Drive files efficiently while keeping folders and permissions intact.

 1. Organize your files and folders
 Before starting the transfer, take a few minutes to clean up and organize your files. Group related files into folders so that when you move files between Google Drive accounts, the folder structure remains easy to navigate.

 2. Check sharing permissions
After transferring files, verify that shared links and permissions are still correct. Knowing how to keep Google Drive permissions when moving files ensures that collaborators can continue to access documents without interruption.

3. Transfer in smaller batches if needed
Even though some methods allow you to move all Google Drive files at once, transferring a large number of files in smaller batches reduces the risk of errors and makes it easier to confirm that everything has transferred successfully.

4. Color-code and restructure files in the new account
Once the files are in your new account, consider assigning colors to important folders or files and reorganizing them. This helps you quickly identify categories, maintain clarity, and keep your new Drive account organized.

5. Regularly review and clean up
After transferring your files, make it a habit to periodically review your Drive for duplicates, unused files, or outdated documents. This ensures your workspace remains efficient and clutter-free.

Conclusion

Transferring files from one Google Drive account to another does not have to be difficult or time consuming. Whether you are a Google Workspace administrator using the Admin Console, a personal user moving files manually, or using Google Takeout for bulk transfers, each method allows you to safely transfer Google Drive files while keeping your data organized. Your files are never deleted during the process. Only ownership changes and by following a few careful steps, you can ensure that sharing permissions and folder structures remain intact.

By following this guide, you can confidently move files between Google Drive accounts, maintain control over your documents, and streamline your workflow. Start transferring your files today to keep your Google Drive organized, protect important data, and take full advantage of the flexibility and efficiency that Google Drive provides for managing all your files.


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