Google Drive is one of the most popular cloud storage services, but How to Transfer Files from One Google Drive to Another – Allowing users to store, share, and collaborate on files. However, if you manage multiple Google accounts, you may need to transfer files from one Google Drive to another for various reasons—be it account migration, storage management, or collaboration.
So, how can you transfer files between Google Drive accounts seamlessly without losing data? This detailed guide explores the best methods to move your files efficiently. How to Transfer Files from One Google Drive to Another.
Why Transfer Files Between Google Drive Accounts?
Before we jump into the methods, let’s understand why you may need to transfer your files:
✅ Switching Google Accounts – Moving from an old account to a new one.
✅ Merging Storage – Consolidating files from multiple accounts.
✅ Backup & Security – Keeping duplicate copies in another Drive for safety.
✅ Sharing with Teams – Moving work-related files from a personal to a professional account.
How to Transfer Files from One Google Drive to Another – Whatever your reason, this guide covers multiple ways to transfer Google Drive files, so let’s get started!
Method 1: Transfer Files via Google Drive Sharing (Best for Small Transfers)
This is the simplest and most effective method when transferring a few files or folders between Google Drive accounts. How to Transfer Files from One Google Drive to Another?
Step-by-Step Guide:
1️⃣ Open Google Drive in your primary account.
2️⃣ Select the files/folders you want to transfer.
3️⃣ Right-click and choose “Share.”
4️⃣ Enter your secondary Google Drive email address and click “Send.”
5️⃣ Log into your secondary account → Go to “Shared with me.”
6️⃣ Right-click on the files and select “Add shortcut to Drive.” (If ownership transfer is available, do that instead.)
Pros & Cons:
✔️ Easy and quick for a few files
✔️ Doesn’t require additional tools
❌ Cannot fully transfer ownership of folders (only files)
❌ Files count against both accounts’ storage
Method 2: Google Takeout – Best for Bulk Transfer
Google Takeout allows you to export and transfer large amounts of data efficiently. How to Transfer Files from One Google Drive to Another?
How to Use Google Takeout for Google Drive Transfer:
1️⃣ Visit Google Takeout and sign in to your primary account.
2️⃣ Scroll down and select “Drive” (Deselect other services if unnecessary).
3️⃣ Click “All Drive Data Included” → Choose specific files/folders if needed.
4️⃣ Scroll down, click “Next Step.”
5️⃣ Under “Delivery Method,” choose “Add to Drive.”
6️⃣ Click “Create Export” → This may take a few minutes or hours depending on file size.
7️⃣ When complete, log into your secondary Google account and access the exported files in My Drive.
Pros & Cons:
✔️ Best for large file transfers
✔️ Maintains folder structure
❌ May take hours for large files
❌ Files arrive in .zip format (requires extraction)
Method 3: Using Google Drive’s “Move to” Feature (For Shared Drives & Folders)
If you are using Google Workspace (Business Accounts), you can move files between accounts via Shared Drives. How to Transfer Files from One Google Drive to Another?
Steps:
1️⃣ In your primary Google Drive account, create a Shared Drive.
2️⃣ Move your files into the Shared Drive.
3️⃣ Share the drive with your secondary account and grant full access.
4️⃣ Log into your secondary account → Move the files from Shared Drive to My Drive.
Pros & Cons:
✔️ Quick method for Business accounts
✔️ No storage duplication
❌ Requires a Google Workspace account
❌ Not available for free Gmail accounts
Method 4: Manual Download & Upload (Simple but Time-Consuming)
If you prefer a hands-on approach, you can manually download files from one Google Drive account and upload them to another. How to Transfer Files from One Google Drive to Another?
Steps to Manually Transfer Files Between Google Drive Accounts:
1️⃣ Open Google Drive in your primary account.
2️⃣ Select the files/folders → Right-click → Download.
3️⃣ Once downloaded, go to your secondary Google Drive account.
4️⃣ Click “New” → “File Upload” / “Folder Upload.”
5️⃣ Select and upload the downloaded files.
Pros & Cons:
✔️ Simple & doesn’t require extra tools
✔️ Works for any type of file
❌ Slow for large files
❌ Loss of metadata (timestamps, permissions, etc.)
Method 5: Use Third-Party Google Drive Transfer Tools (Fastest Option)
If you need faster and more automated transfers, third-party tools like MultCloud, CloudHQ, or VaultMe can help. How to Transfer Files from One Google Drive to Another?
Popular Third-Party Google Drive Transfer Tools: How to Transfer Files from One Google Drive to Another.
🔹 MultCloud – Directly moves files between cloud drives.
🔹 CloudHQ – Syncs files between Google Drive accounts.
🔹 VaultMe – Ideal for migrating emails and Drive files.
Steps Using MultCloud (Example):
1️⃣ Sign up for a free MultCloud account.
2️⃣ Connect both Google Drive accounts.
3️⃣ Select files from your primary account and choose “Copy to” → Secondary account.
4️⃣ Click “Start Transfer.”
Pros & Cons:
✔️ Fastest and easiest
✔️ Preserves folder structure & metadata
❌ Requires third-party access
❌ Premium plans for larger file sizes
Best Method for Different Needs – Quick Summary
| Method | Best For | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharing & Ownership Transfer | Small transfers | Quick & free | Can’t transfer folders |
| Google Takeout | Bulk transfers | Preserves file structure | Takes time to process |
| Google Workspace “Move to” | Business accounts | No storage duplication | Not available for free users |
| Manual Download & Upload | Few files | Simple | Loses metadata, slow |
| Third-Party Tools | Fast & large transfers | Fully automated | Requires external tools |
Key Considerations When Transferring Google Drive Files
✅ Storage Limits – Ensure your secondary account has enough free space.
✅ File Permissions – Verify access rights when using the “Share” method.
✅ Data Security – Revoke third-party tool access after file transfer.
✅ Backup Files – Before deletion, ensure the transfer is successful.
Final Thoughts
How to Transfer Files from One Google Drive to Another-Transferring files between Google Drive accounts doesn’t have to be complicated. Depending on your needs, you can choose direct sharing, Google Takeout, Workspace tools, manual transfer, or third-party apps.
Each method comes with unique advantages, so pick the one that best suits your situation. If you’re transferring a few files, sharing and ownership transfer is best. If you’re migrating a large amount of data, Google Takeout or MultCloud will be more efficient.
🚀 Which method worked best for you? Let us know in the comments! 🚀 VISIT – filetransferdoc.com
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