How to Transfer Files from Google Drive to Google Drive?

  Mohit Kumar Jha
Written By Mohit Kumar Jha
Anuraag Singh
Approved By Anuraag Singh
Modified On November 7th, 2025
Reading Time 8 Min Read

Switching your Google account can be a difficult job, especially when moving your Google Drive data. But don’t worry, in this article, I am going to help you by providing ways to migrate Google Drive to another account.

Google Drive is a cloud storage tool provided by Google. The main function of the program is to store, share, and organize your data. It is an essential program in Google Workspace, which also integrates with other products like Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, etc. Hence, Google Drive helps in real-time in your teams.

In business, there are many scenarios where users have to transfer Google Drive data to another account. I have explained some of them in the upcoming section.

Why Move From One Google Drive to Another Account?

  • Transferring your data from Google Drive to Google Drive is used to keep your important sensitive data secure. It also acts as a backup of your data for any accidental deletion and other issues.
  • Some users store their personal and work files in one place. This causes confusion to the users, so to organize the documents, they have to move their data from Google Drive to a professional account.
  • In a project, teams often merge their Google Drive accounts for a smooth workflow. In that case, the team members move their drive to one account for the collaboration.
  • You are switching your Google account, and you want your old data in your new account. For this reason, migrating the files is needed.
  • If the storage of the current account, then migrating the data helps to reduce the space for new files.

There can be many reasons for transferring your Google Drive account. So, let’s see how you can do this.

How to Migrate Google Drive to Another Account?

Below are the exact methods I am going to use to move my Google Drive files safely to another account without losing the access or its structure. So, properly follow them:
migrate Google Drive to another account

Share Google Drive Data & Copy to Another Account

Google Drive has an option to share its folders with other people. This is the Shared with me folder. If you move the files that you want to move in this folder, and then share them with the account you want to transfer. Here, the owner of the file has the authority to choose the permission to be given. So, make sure you set the correct roles.

  1. Go to the Google Drive account where you want to share your data.
  2. Select all the files/folders that you want to move to another account.
  3. Right-click on the file, then click on the Share button.
  4. Add another username of the Google account. Then, choose the Advanced option.
  5. Change the permission from viewer or editor. Hit the Send button.
  6. Sign in to another Google account where your shared data will be sent.
  7. Check the Shared folder. Now, you can move the file to another folder within the same account.
  8. Right-click the files in the folder and select Make a copy option. Paste the file into the folder of your choice.

Use Google Takeout to Migrate Google Drive to Another Account

if you want to completely migrate your Google Drive to another account. Then, you can use Google Takeout. Google Drive does have a built-in option to migrate its data. So, your only option is to save your files and move to another account.

  1. Open Google Takeout and sign in to the account that you want to move the data.
  2. Check the Deselect All option.
    check deselect all option
  3. Scroll down and mark only Drive data.
    choose drive option
  4. Choose the .zip format, file size, delivery method, and frequency, the press the export button.
    select file type, frequency and destination
  5. Google sends you a download link via email.
    export the file
  6. Afterwards, download & extract the files, and upload them to a new Google account via drag-and-drop.

Migrate Google Drive to Another Account using Google Drive Desktop App

Generally, Google Drive runs on a web browser. However, Google also developed a desktop application of the same. With the help of this, you can migrate your data. Here’s how it is done.

  1. Install Google Drive for Desktop and log in to your old Google account.
  2. Select the file you want to move and sync to your local desktop.
  3. Signed out and signed in with the new account in a different profile.
  4. Dragged the locally synced files into the new account’s Google Drive folder.

By following these steps, you can open your documents from one old account to another. Till now, I have explained to you the manual options. Now, let’s see what professionals use to transfer Google Drive accounts.

Migrate Google Drive to Another Account with Expert Solution

Manual methods might work for a few files, but if your Drive contains thousands of documents, shared folders, and sensitive data, you want something more powerful. The SysTools Google Drive Migration Tool is a great option. A professional application with a user-friendly interface allows you to easily transfer your documents from Google Drive to Google Drive. The software can move files from Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides very easily. It is such a great option to share the entire Google Drive in a few simple clicks.

Download Now Purchase Now

Steps to Move Google Drive Data to Another

  1. Open the tool, then select GSuite (for Google Drive) as both the source and the destination.
    Start screen
  2. Now, mark the box next to Documents, and apply the Date filter if needed.
    workload screen
  3. Move on to the source page, fill in the required details, and press validate.
    provide details
  4. Repeat the step for the destination to move Google Drive to another account.
  5. Choose a User Mapping option from Fetch Users, Import a premade CSV, or Download a premade template, fill it, and upload.
    users
  6. Once the User list is available on the preview screen, select the ones whose cloud data you want to move. Prioritise any accounts from your selection, and validate them.
  7. End the process from your side by pressing the Start Migration button.
    user list

Summary

Many users want to migrate their Google Drive to another account. That’s why I have provided different ways to transfer them. Here, I have provided manual methods to move the files for free and the professional option. Each option has its own pros and cons, which you must take into account when using it. If you have having query regarding the migration, then you can ask us by contacting the support team.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Why did Google forbid the transfer of a Google Drive to an account outside my organisation, despite my having admin privileges?

Ans. This is a security feature of Google that can’t be changed from your end, even if you hold admin privileges. The only alternative is to extract all Google Drive data and send it over to the external entity by other means.

Q2. What do the different permission levels of Google Drive sharing indicate? Which one is the most appropriate?

Ans. There are 3 different access levels that you can put on a file/folder while sharing it. The first is Viewer, choose it if you don’t want the recipient to make any changes to the source. Commenters can add notes on the data, but cannot make any permanent changes. The last criterion is that the Editor must most closely resemble the owner. They can add/delete and pass on editing power to others as well.

Q3. Am I going to lose any data after I decide to migrate Google Drive to another account?

Ans. Not if you select the automated utility. As it prioritises both the data as well as the way it is arranged in the source. The tool maintains the folder structure as well. So all of your data is safely taken from the source and deposited on the target.

Q4. I use the free tier of Google Drive; are there any maximum thresholds that I need to be aware of?

Ans. For free account holders, the threshold limits are of no concern, as the daily limit of Google Drive is 750 GB. Moreover, a single file can be up to 5 TB in size. It is extremely rare for your requirement ever to reach this limit. The speeds of upload/download depend entirely on your network bandwidth.

  author

By Mohit Kumar Jha

Mohit is a Microsoft Certified expert for all things Microsoft. He brings a unique perspective gained from nearly a decade of active participation in various IT forums, blogs, and social media. Known in admin circles as the go-to guru for solving user queries in the domain of email and cloud migration, data backup, and digital forensics. The secret to his core expertise lies in solving problems practically. Through this hands-on experience, he has acquired knowledge in diverse domains like Microsoft 365 Cloud, On-Premise Exchange Server, AD, and Entra ID.