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This article will show you how to Transfer Google Drive Files to Another Account. Google Drive is a cloud-based file storage and synchronisation service that was introduced on April 24, 2012 and was created by Google. It is possible for you to store and access files in the cloud, to share files, and to collaborate with other users to edit documents, spreadsheets, images, videos, and presentations. On personal computers, it can be accessed through a web browser, and on mobile devices, it can be accessed through specialized apps for Android and iOS. Google Drive is a well-known cloud storage service that enables users to do a variety of things, including storing their data in a location that is both secure and simple to access, as well as sharing large files with other people.
What happens, though, if you want to transfer files from a different Google Drive account to this one but you’re using a different account for the task for which you need it? You either carry out a few actions or make some adjustments to the owner. The available choices are as follows. In addition, Google Drive includes a search feature and can integrate with a wide variety of other Google services, including Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Slides. In terms of the amount of space available for storage, it gives each user a free 15 GB of space that can be distributed across Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos. You are required to pay for a subscription in order to obtain additional storage space. Here are the steps how to Transfer Google Drive Files to Another Account.
What is Google Drive?
Google Drive is a cloud storage service, and like all cloud services, its main job is to take some of the load off your hard drive. Cloud storage works by uploading your files to its own remote computers, or the “cloud.” This frees up space on your computer. This gives you more space on your devices for more important things, like adding big apps and games.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| File storage and access | Google Drive allows users to store and access files from anywhere with an internet connection. Files can be stored in folders and subfolders to organize them. Users can also share files with others and collaborate on them in real time. |
| Search | Users can search for files by name, type, or content. They can also use filters to narrow down their search results. |
| Offline access | Users can make certain files available for offline access, which means they can access them even when they don’t have an internet connection. |
| Conversion | Google Drive can convert files from one format to another. For example, it can convert a Word document to a PDF file. |
| OCR | Google Drive can use optical character recognition (OCR) to extract text from images. This can be helpful for converting scanned documents into editable text. |
| File streaming | Users can stream audio and video files directly from Google Drive. This means they don’t have to download the files to their device first. |
| File sharing | Users can share files with others by sending them a link or granting them permission to view or edit the file. |
But cloud services are much better than standard storage in many ways. When your files are in the cloud, you can get to them from any device with an internet link, no matter where you are. You can also share them with other people, which opens up new ways to work together online (read our article about why online saving is helpful for more information). You already have Google Drive if you have a Google account. Signing up for an account gives you 15GB of free storage, which puts its free plan near the top of our list of the best free cloud storage.
How to Transfer Google Drive Files to Another Account
- Sign in to your Google Drive account that contains the files you want to transfer.
- Locate the files or folders you want to move to your secondary Google Drive account.
- Right-click on the file or folder and select “Share” from the context menu.
- In the “Share with people and groups” window, enter the email address of the secondary Google Drive account you want to transfer the files to.
- Click on the “Send” button.
- The owner of the secondary Google Drive account will receive an email notification with a link to the shared files or folders.
- Once the owner of the secondary Google Drive account clicks on the link, they will be able to view and download the files or folders.
Using Google Takeout
- Go to the Google Takeout website (https://takeout.google.com/) and sign in to your Google account that contains the files you want to transfer.
- Select the “Drive” checkbox under “Data included in takeout.”
- Click on the “Next step” button.
- Select the desired export method and delivery options, and then click on the “Create export” button.
- Google will create a compressed archive of your Google Drive files and send you an email notification when it is ready.
- Download the compressed archive to your computer.
- Extract the contents of the compressed archive to a folder on your computer.
- Sign in to your secondary Google Drive account and upload the extracted files to the desired location.
Why Transfer Google Drive Files to Another Account?
- Migration: Moving Google Drive files to another account is often necessary during migration processes. This can occur when an individual or organization changes their primary Google account.
- Change of Ownership: Transferring files may be required when there’s a change in ownership or responsibility for certain files, such as in a work or collaborative setting.
- Consolidation: Users may wish to consolidate their data into a single Google account for ease of management and access, especially if they have multiple accounts for different purposes.
- Account Closure: When closing a Google account, users may want to transfer their files to another active account to retain access and ownership.
- Collaborative Projects: In collaborative projects, team members may need to share files initially stored in one account with another team member’s account for seamless collaboration.
- Data Backup: Creating a backup of Google Drive files by transferring them to another account can serve as a precautionary measure against accidental data loss or account issues.
- Access Management: Users might transfer files to another account to better manage access permissions or to align with changes in collaboration requirements.
Privacy and Data Protection
| Privacy and Data Protection Considerations | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Encryption of Data | Ensure that files are encrypted during the transfer process to safeguard against unauthorized access. Google Drive employs encryption in transit and at rest, but additional encryption methods can be utilized. |
| User Consent and Authorization | Obtain explicit consent from the user whose data is being transferred and ensure that proper authorization mechanisms, such as OAuth, are in place. |
| Data Ownership and Rights | Clearly define and communicate data ownership rights. Users should be aware of who owns the transferred data in the new account. |
| Compliance with Data Protection Laws | Adhere to relevant data protection laws, such as GDPR or HIPAA, depending on the nature of the data being transferred and the regions involved. |
| Data Minimization | Only transfer necessary data to minimize the risk and exposure of sensitive information. Avoid transferring unnecessary or redundant files. |
| Audit Trails and Logging | Implement robust audit trails and logging mechanisms to track the transfer process, including details like who initiated the transfer, when it occurred, and which files were transferred. |
| Secure Connection | Ensure that the transfer occurs over a secure connection (HTTPS) t |
Questions and Answers
You need to have two different Google Drive accounts. If this is the case, you must first log in to one of your older accounts, then create a new folder and place all of the files you want to move into the new folder before moving on to the next step. After using the right mouse button to select the folder, proceed to click the “Download” button, and then wait for the process to finish.
You can upload files and folders to another Google Drive user by first selecting them on your local computer, then dragging and dropping them into the interface for your own Google Drive account. Once the process of uploading has been completed. Your recipient can find the data you uploaded in the shared folder that is located within his Google Drive.
Because Google Drive does not permit the copying of folders, you must first ensure that the object you intend to copy is a file rather than a folder before proceeding with the copying process. The only way to copy an entire folder in Google Drive without using an extension is to copy each document, then move them into a new folder after copying them. This is the only method available.