How to Transfer Google Docs Across Domains: Guide

When a user creates the files in Google Docs, Slides, and Sheets or uploads them to Google Drive, Google makes the user owner, by default. However, users can migrate Google Drive account data (like Docs, Sheets, and Slides) as well as folders to any other user they want, as long as that user has an email address. This is the way to change ownership of an extensive number of files and folders of Google Drive. Well, sometimes when users attempt Google Docs ownership transfer from one account to another that is having a different domain, they encounter the following error message:

Apart from this, there are several users who have no idea how to transfer Google Docs across domains. So, to move data between the drives without any hassle, download Google Drive Migrator tool.

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Below are some of the user queries that will clarify the problems faced by the users while doing the same without any professional solution:

Are you one among those users who are searching for solutions for the same issue? If the answer is yes then, do not worry, as we have included some solutions in this article to fix this problematic-situation. Let’s get started!

How to Transfer Google Docs Across Domains in Different Scenarios

Google Drive users are categorized into three parts: Owner, Editor, and Viewer. Nevertheless, multiple users have the ability to edit and view a particular document and there can be only one Owner at a time. Below are two different ways via which users can transfer Google Docs across domains. There will be two different conditions of Google Docs ownership transfer:

1. Transfer Google Docs Ownership in Same Domain
2. Transfer Google Docs Ownership in Different Domains

Note: Opt the solution according to the current requirement.

Scenario 1: Google Docs Ownership Transfer under Same Domain

If you need to transfer your Google Docs ownership to another user of your domain then, this can be done via two different methods.

#Method 1: Transfer Ownership of Single Document in Google Drive (For Users)

If you are the Owner then you can easily change the ownership of single document and folders stored in Drive via following steps:

• Navigate to Drive or Docs/ Sheets/ Slides in the homepage
• Next, open the sharing box and in Drive select the file or folder then, click on share icon at the top
• Enter the email address of the new owner in the Invite people section. Click on Share and save
• Click on the Advanced button that is situated in the bottom-right corner of sharing box
• Hit the drop-down menu next to the name of the person to which you want to own the file/ folder
• Here, select Is owner option and click Done

#Method 2: Transfer Ownership of All Documents in Google Drive (For Admin)

If you are Administrator then, you can transfer the ownership of all documents in Drive from one user to another in your domain. Being capable to give the ownership of all Google documents can be helpful if the real owner is leaving the company. If any user leaves the domain then, their docs cannot be moved. If it falls out then, only Admin can retrieve their account in five days and transfer the docs. For this, follow below-guidelines:

• First, sign-in to Google Admin console
• Navigate to Apps >> Google Apps >> Drive
• Click on Transfer Ownership
• Fill the Document ownership transfer subdivision:
• Now, in From field, type the username of the current owner and choose the user’s domain
• To field, type the username of a new owner and choose the user’s domain
• Click on Transfer documents to apply the changes

The recently transferred docs will be automatically arranged in the single new folder, that is named with a previous owner’s email address, in the new owner’s Google Drive. The original owner still can maintain editing advantages until their email account gets deleted or the edit permissions are revoked.

Scenario 2: Google Docs Ownership Transfer in Different Domains

If you want to know how to transfer Google Docs across domains then, follow below-mentioned steps sequentially:

• Login to your Google account from which you want to transfer the ownership of documents. Now, move all the documents to which you want to transfer from the original Google Apps account to a folder inside the same Drive
• Share this folder with the Google account outside the domain
• Next, login to the external Google account
• Then, move the folder from ‘Shared with Me’ to ‘My Drive’

Note: The folder is still owned by the original account and the user cannot change the ownership from outside of the domain.

• First, you have required the Google Drive app downloaded on your hard drive. Then, log in with the external account.

Note: If you already have G Drive downloaded with the previous account then, you are required to disconnect it and login with the new account.

• Let the Drive sync properly
• Locate the shared folder and hit a right click on it. If using Mac OS, choose Duplicate. For Windows OS, choose Copy and then Paste
• Doing this will generate a duplicate of the folder with users’ outside account as an owner of the folder
• Wait until the new folder syncs with Drive. Then, check the Drive folder and now you can see that the outside account is an owner of the replicated folder and its contents

Summing It Up

Considering a common user how to transfer Google Docs across domains, we have come up with this article. Here we have described the scenario clearly with appropriate solutions. One can prefer the fix according to their case. However, if someone finds the manual techniques complex and time-taking then, we recommend using SysTools Google Drive Migrator software as it is capable to migrate files from one Google Drive to another Google Drive/ Domain quickly and seamlessly. Also, the tool does not require so much technical expertise to execute the complete operation.

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