Moving files between Google accounts might seem tricky at first, especially when you have a lot of important data. If you're trying to figure out how to move Google Drive to another account, this guide will walk you through the most reliable solutions. From manual methods to automated tools, you'll find the best way to transfer your files securely and efficiently.
Yes, you can transfer one Google Drive to another, and there are several methods available based on your account type, storage limits, and specific needs. Whether you’re using a personal Gmail, Google Workspace, or an admin-managed account, options range from manual file handling to automated tools. Each approach offers different advantages and limitations depending on what you're trying to achieve.
Here’s a quick comparison to help you decide which method works best for your needs:
Method | Ideal Users | Pros | Cons |
Ownership Transfer | Workspace accounts | Maintains metadata | Limited to supported file types/domains |
Shared Drive Hub | Workspace migrations | Easy cross-domain moves | Requires admin access & Shared Drives |
Download & Upload | All users | Simple and universal | Manual process, no metadata preservation |
Google Takeout | All users | Controlled, full data export | Creates ZIP files, requires re-upload |
Third-party Tools | Any user | Automated, supports shared items | May require payment and access rights |
Storage Transfer Service | Admins / large organizations | Scalable and efficient | Technical setup required |
Now that you know the main options for transferring Google Drive files between accounts, we’ll walk you through each method step-by-step in the following sections.
Next, we’ll explore how to move files from one Google Drive to another using Google’s built-in features. These native options are simple, reliable, and don’t require any extra tools—perfect for most users looking for a straightforward transfer.
If you're looking for a simple way to transfer files from one Google Drive to another, changing ownership can be an effective solution, especially for users within the same Google Workspace domain. This method allows you to share files with another account and reassign ownership without downloading or re-uploading anything. It works well for Google-native file types like Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, and Drawings, and it preserves important metadata such as file history, comments, and shared links. It’s particularly useful in scenarios like employee offboarding, account migration, or shifting project responsibilities within a team.
However, there are also some limitations. For instance, the ownership transfer only applies to individual files—not entire folders—and must be done one file at a time unless you're using admin-level tools. Additionally, ownership can only be transferred between accounts within the same domain or account type (e.g., @gmail.com to @gmail.com).
🔍 Follow the steps below to complete a Google Drive transfer file to another account by changing ownership:
Step 1. Log in to your Google Workspace Admin account and click Admin Console in the bottom left corner.
Step 2. Navigate to Apps > Google Workspace > Drive and Docs > Transfer ownership.
Step 3. In the "From user" field, enter the email address of the current file owner.
Step 3. In the "To user" field, enter the email address of the new owner.
Step 4. Click TRANSFER FILES to begin moving all owned files from the source account to the target account automatically.
For Google Workspace users within the same organization, a Shared Drive acts as a practical transfer hub to move things from one Google account to another. Unlike personal Drives, Shared Drives belong to the organization, so there is no need to transfer ownership manually. This setup supports team collaboration by allowing multiple users to access and manage files together.
Using a Shared Drive preserves folder structures, sharing settings, access permissions, and file history, which are crucial for maintaining business continuity during transfers. This method applies only to Workspace accounts—not personal Gmail—and storage limits or admin restrictions may also influence how you can use Shared Drives. Overall, it offers a secure and organized way to move files efficiently between accounts within an organization.
🔍 Here’s a clear step-by-step tutorial to transfer from one Google Drive to another using a Shared Drive as a transfer hub:
Step 1. Sign in to your Google Workspace account and open Google Drive.
Step 2. Create a new Shared Drive by clicking "Shared drives" on the left panel and then "New."
Step 3. Move or copy the files and folders you want to transfer into the Shared Drive by dragging them or using the "Move to" option.
Step 4. Add the destination Google account as a member of the Shared Drive with Manager or Content Manager access.
Step 5. From the destination account, open the Shared Drive and move the files into My Drive to complete the transfer.
The download and upload method offers a straightforward way to copy Google Drive to another account, especially when other options like ownership transfer or Shared Drives are not available. This method works for all types of Google accounts, including personal Gmail users.
While this process can take longer due to transferring files through your computer, it allows you to move any file type without restrictions. Keep in mind, though, that metadata such as file ownership, sharing permissions, and timestamps may not always carry over. This method is ideal for transferring files across different domains or account types that don’t support direct ownership changes.
🔍 Follow these simple steps if you want to transfer personal Google Drive to a different account in this way:
Step 1. Sign in to your personal Google Drive account at drive.google.com.
Step 2. Select the files and folders you want to transfer by clicking and dragging or using the checkbox next to each item.
Step 3. Right-click your selection and choose "Download" to save the files to your computer as a ZIP archive.
Step 4. Sign out and then sign in to the target Google account where you want to transfer the files.
Step 5. Open Google Drive, click "New" > "File upload" or "Folder upload," and select the downloaded files or extracted folders to upload them to the new account.
Google Takeout provides a secure and reliable way to transfer data from one Gmail account to another, especially when dealing with a large volume of files. It works for both personal and Workspace users, making it suitable for different account types. This method supports the export of your entire Google Drive content, ensuring that no important files get left behind during the process.
Although Google Takeout handles most file types, some metadata—like sharing settings and ownership—may not transfer, so manual adjustments might be necessary afterward. The export process can also take several hours or longer, depending on the size of your Drive. Still, Google Takeout remains an official and trusted solution for users who need to move their Drive files without using third-party tools.
🔍 Explore how to transfer all Google Drive files to another account by following these steps:
Step 1. Go to Google Takeout and sign in with the Google account that contains the files you want to transfer.
Step 2. Scroll down to find Drive, check the box next to it, and deselect any other services you don’t want to include.
Step 3. Click Next step, then choose "Add to Drive" as the delivery method and set your preferred file format and archive size.
Step 4. Click Create export and wait for Google to prepare your archive—this may take time depending on the size of your Drive.
Step 5. Once the archive is ready, open it in the destination account’s Drive and extract or organize the files as needed.
If you're an IT admin or handling a large-scale migration, and you need to transfer data from one Gmail to another—especially within Google Workspace—Storage Transfer Service is one of the most powerful tools you can use. It’s part of Google Cloud and is designed for complex transfers involving huge amounts of data.
This tool lets you automate the transfer process, schedule jobs, and move files and folders with precision. You can control exactly what gets moved, how it's transferred, and when it happens. It works well for both Google-native and non-Google file types. Just keep in mind, it requires some technical setup and Google Cloud configuration. If you're looking for flexibility and control in your migration, this is a top-tier solution.
🔍 Here’s a quick guide on how to transfer files from one Google Drive to another using the Storage Transfer Service:
Step 1. Sign in to the Google Cloud Console with your admin account.
Step 2. Navigate to Storage Transfer Service by searching for it in the console search bar.
Step 3. Click Create Transfer Job and choose Google Drive as your source and destination.
Step 4. Select the source Gmail account and the target Gmail account you want to transfer files between.
Step 5. Configure the transfer options, such as the folders or file types to include, set a schedule if needed, and start the transfer job.
When you need a hassle-free way to transfer data from one Google Drive to another, third-party tools like CBackup offer a powerful solution. CBackup is a cloud backup and management service that supports seamless data transfer between cloud storage accounts, including Google Drive.
With CBackup, you can easily link multiple Google Drive accounts and transfer files directly between them without downloading to your device. It offers features such as scheduled transfers, bulk file migration, and support for large file sizes. This makes it an excellent option for users who want to move their Drive data quickly, securely, and with minimal hassle. Using CBackup saves time and ensures your files stay intact throughout the transfer process.
🔍 Just follow these steps to transfer data from one Google account to another:
Step 1. Go to the CBackup website and create an account or log in.
Step 2. Add your source Google Drive by clicking Storage, selecting Google Drive, and authorizing access.
Step 3. Repeat to add your destination Google Drive account the same way.
Step 4. Navigate to Sync, and choose the "Cloud to Cloud Sync" tool to sync public cloud to public cloud. Then, choose your source Google Drive account and the target Google Drive account.
Step 5. Select the files or folders to transfer and click Start Transfer to begin moving your data directly between accounts.
In this post, we explored various methods to transfer everything from one Google Drive to another, including changing ownership, using Shared Drives, the download and upload method, Google Takeout, admin-level transfers, Storage Transfer Service, and third-party tools like CBackup. Each method has its advantages and limitations depending on your account type, data size, and technical needs.
By choosing the right approach, you can ensure a smooth and secure transfer of your files. Ultimately, understanding these options helps you manage your Google Drive data efficiently and without hassle.
Let’s address some common questions about migrating Google Drive to another account. These FAQs cover important details and concerns to help you better understand the process and avoid potential issues.
Moving folders from one Google Drive to another is a common need when switching accounts or organizing files. While Google Drive doesn’t support direct folder transfers between accounts, you can move folders by sharing or downloading and uploading them. Here’s a simple way to do it using sharing and ownership transfer:
Yes, you can migrate Google Drive to another account, whether you're switching personal accounts, moving to a Google Workspace, or consolidating data. Google offers several ways to do this, including manual transfer, sharing and changing ownership, or using tools like Google Takeout or third-party services. Here’s a simple method using file sharing and ownership transfer:
Copying files from one Google Drive to another is useful when you want to keep duplicates in a different account without changing ownership. This method works well for both personal and Google Workspace users. While Google Drive doesn’t offer a built-in "copy to another account" button, you can still do it easily with these steps: