How To Transfer Google Drive To Another Account

Reassigning your Google Drive files to another account requires changing the file ownership. If you’ve ever wondered how to transfer Google Drive to another account, you’re not alone—it’s a common task when switching jobs, graduating, or consolidating personal files.

This guide walks you through the exact steps, from small file moves to bulk transfers. You’ll learn the official methods, workarounds for limitations, and tips to avoid data loss.

Google Drive doesn’t offer a single “move all files” button. Instead, you transfer ownership of folders or download and re-upload. The best method depends on file size, account type, and whether you need to keep sharing settings.

Method 1: Transfer Ownership Of Folders

This is the cleanest way to move files between Google accounts. It works for Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drawings. Other file types (PDFs, images, videos) must be downloaded and re-uploaded.

Open Google Drive in the source account.
Right-click the folder you want to transfer.
Select Share > Share.
Enter the destination account’s email address.
Set permission to Editor.
Click Send.
Log into the destination account.
Open the shared folder.
Select all files inside (Ctrl+A or Cmd+A).
Right-click and choose Share > Share.
Click the dropdown arrow next to the source account’s name.
Select Transfer ownership.
Confirm the transfer.

This moves all Google-native files in that folder. Non-Google files stay as copies in the source account unless you manually move them.

Method 2: Download And Re-Upload

For non-Google files or when ownership transfer isn’t available, use this method. It’s straightforward but time-consuming for large datasets.

Select files in source Drive.
Right-click > Download (creates a ZIP for multiple files).
Extract the ZIP on your computer.
Log into destination account.
Drag files into Drive or use New > File upload.

This method duplicates storage usage. You’ll need enough space in both accounts temporarily.

Method 3: Use Google Takeout For Bulk Export

Google Takeout exports all your Drive data at once. It’s ideal for large transfers but requires re-uploading everything.

Go to takeout.google.com.
Deselect all products except Drive.
Choose export format (ZIP or TGZ).
Select delivery method (email download link or cloud transfer).
Click Create export.
Wait for Google to prepare the archive (can take hours).
Download the files.
Upload to destination account.

Takeout preserves folder structure. However, shared permissions and comments are lost.

Method 4: Third-Party Tools

Services like MultCloud, CloudFuze, or rclone automate transfers. They connect both accounts and move files directly.

MultCloud: Free tier transfers up to 2GB per month.
CloudFuze: Paid tool for business migrations.
rclone: Command-line tool for tech-savvy users.

Be cautious with third-party tools. Review permissions and security before granting access.

Preparing For The Transfer

Before starting, check these things to avoid problems.

Check Storage Space

Destination account must have enough free space. Google Drive gives 15GB free across Drive, Gmail, and Photos. Upgrade if needed.

Identify File Types

Google-native files (Docs, Sheets, Slides) can transfer ownership. Other files need manual moving. Make a list of what you have.

Clean Up Files

Delete duplicates, old drafts, and unneeded items. This speeds up transfer and saves space.

Check Account Types

Personal Google accounts have limits. Google Workspace (business/education) accounts may have admin restrictions. Some transfers require admin approval.

Step-By-Step: Transfer Google Drive To Another Account

Follow these steps for a smooth migration.

Step 1: Organize Source Drive

Group files into folders. Remove anything you don’t need. Rename folders clearly.

Step 2: Share Folders With Destination Account

Share each top-level folder with the new account as Editor. Wait for the invitation to be accepted.

Step 3: Transfer Ownership

In the destination account, accept all shared folders. Then transfer ownership back to yourself (the destination account) for each folder.

Step 4: Move Non-Google Files

Download these files from source account. Upload them to the correct folders in destination account.

Step 5: Verify Everything

Check that all files are present. Open a few documents to confirm permissions work. Delete files from source account only after verification.

Common Issues And Fixes

Problems happen. Here’s how to handle them.

Ownership Transfer Not Available

This happens with shared drives or organization accounts. Ask the admin to enable ownership transfer. Or use download/re-upload.

File Limit Reached

Google Drive limits 500,000 files per account. If you hit this, delete old files or upgrade.

Transfer Fails Midway

Large transfers can time out. Break them into smaller batches. Use Google Takeout for very large datasets.

Lost Sharing Permissions

Ownership transfer preserves permissions for Google-native files. For other files, you must reshare after moving.

Transferring Google Drive To Another Account: Business Scenarios

Business and education accounts have extra steps.

Google Workspace Migration

Admins can use the Google Admin console to transfer data between users. This moves Drive, Gmail, and Calendar.

Go to Admin console > Users.
Select the source user.
Click Transfer data.
Choose destination user.
Select Drive and other services.
Start transfer.

This method preserves permissions and structure. It’s the best option for Workspace accounts.

Leaving A Company

Before leaving, transfer personal files to a personal account. Use the ownership transfer method for your documents. Download other files.

Ask IT to transfer shared drive contents if needed.

Student Account Expiry

School Google accounts often expire after graduation. Transfer files before the deadline. Use Google Takeout for a complete backup.

Automating The Transfer

For power users, automation saves time.

Using Google Apps Script

Write a script to copy files between accounts. This requires coding knowledge.

Open script.google.com.
Create a new project.
Use DriveApp to access files.
Use UrlFetchApp to copy to another account.
Run the script.

This method is complex but customizable.

Using Rclone

rclone syncs directories between cloud services. Install it on your computer.

Configure both Google Drive accounts.
Run: rclone copy source:path dest:path
Use flags for specific behaviors.

rclone handles large transfers reliably.

What About Shared Drives?

Shared drives (formerly Team Drives) have different rules. Files belong to the team, not an individual.

Transferring Shared Drive Files

You cannot transfer ownership of shared drive files to a personal account. Instead:

Copy files to a folder in My Drive.
Then transfer ownership of that folder.

This duplicates the files. The originals remain in the shared drive.

Moving Between Shared Drives

Admins can move files between shared drives. Use the “Move to” option in the shared drive.

Security Considerations

Protect your data during transfer.

Use Trusted Networks

Avoid public Wi-Fi. Use a VPN if necessary.

Check Third-Party Permissions

Revoke access after transfer completes. Go to Google Account > Security > Third-party apps.

Enable Two-Factor Authentication

Both accounts should have 2FA enabled. This prevents unauthorized access.

After The Transfer

Once files are moved, take these final steps.

Verify File Integrity

Open random files. Check that formatting, comments, and version history are intact.

Update Shortcuts And Links

Shared links from the old account break. Create new links from the destination account.

Delete Source Files

Only delete after full verification. Keep a backup for a few weeks.

Inform Collaborators

Tell people you’ve moved files. Share new links if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer Google Drive to another account for free?

Yes. The ownership transfer method is free. Download and re-upload also costs nothing, but uses your internet bandwidth.

How long does it take to transfer Google Drive to another account?

Small transfers take minutes. Large transfers (100GB+) can take hours or days, depending on file count and internet speed.

Will I lose file versions when I transfer Google Drive to another account?

For Google-native files transferred via ownership, version history is preserved. For downloaded and re-uploaded files, only the current version moves.

Can I transfer Google Drive to another account without downloading?

Yes, for Google-native files. Use the ownership transfer method. For other files, you must download or use a third-party tool that moves them server-side.

What happens to shared links after I transfer Google Drive to another account?

Shared links from the source account stop working. You need to reshare files from the destination account and provide new links.

Final Tips For A Smooth Transfer

Plan ahead. Start the transfer when you have several hours of uninterrupted time. Keep both accounts logged in on separate browser profiles or incognito windows.

Test with a small folder first. This confirms the method works before you commit to moving everything.

If you hit limits, break the transfer into chunks. Google Drive handles smaller batches better than one massive move.

Remember that some files may not transfer perfectly. Always keep a backup until you’re sure everything is in order.

Transfering Google Drive to another account doesn’t have to be stressful. With the right method and a bit of patience, you can move your files smoothly. Choose the approach that fits your situation, follow the steps carefully, and verify the results. Your data will be safe and accessible in its new home.