How to Transfer Files from Google Drive to Google Drive?

Written By Tej Pratap Shukla

Approved By Anuraag Singh

Modified On April 29th, 2026

Reading Time 8 Min Read

Whenever someone migrates Google Drive data to another account, they face problems such as data loss, formatting loss, document ownership issues, or folder structure issues. All this happened because you are not properly following the methods. In this, I am going to explain all the possible ways with simple-to-follow steps and provide ways to protect your data from being deleted or losing formatting during the process.

How to Transfer Google Drive to Another Account?

There are several methods that can move your data from Google Drive to another. For example.

Sharing and copying the data
Use Google Takeout to export and move the Google Drive data
Google Drive Desktop option
Professional Tool

They are easy to follow and securely move your Google Drive data. I will explain each method, its steps, and limitations. But, before that, let’s understand why there is a need to transfer Google Drive files.

Why Move From One Google Drive to Another Account?

Transferring your data from Google Drive to Google Drive will work as an additional copy of your data. Also, allow organizational control over the data.
Some users store their personal and work files in one place. This confuses users, so to organize the documents, they have to move their data from Google Drive to a professional account.
In a project, teams often join their Google Drive accounts into one account for a smooth workflow. In that case, team members move their Drive to one account for 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 is full, then migrating the data helps to reduce the space for new files.

There can be many reasons for transferring your Google Drive account. But there are some key points that you must know for a smooth migration.

Important Points to Know

The files in Google Drive that are owned by you can be transferred to another Drive. However, you can’t move the files shared with you.
When the files are transferred, the URL is also changed so that you can. Those who are linking with the original documents will lose access. Which means you have to reshare the files from a new account.
Files in the Shared drive cannot be transferred in the same way as My Drive files.
Google Drive Docs or Sheets ownership can only be moved within the same domain. For cross-domain, you have to download and upload the files.
Other than the ownership method, other ways often skip the migration file version history.
When transferring the Google Drive files, you must check that you have enough storage space beforehand.
Remove unwanted, duplicate files and empty the trash so that it becomes easier to migrate the required drive files.
Disable the shared files, as you can reshare them after the migration.
Whenever you migrate your Google Drive files, first take a backup of your data to prevent data loss.

These are very important, so make sure you follow them properly to prevent any issues during the procedure.

In Google Drive, you can share your files or folders with other accounts. Once you share the files, you will see them in the Shared with me folder. From there, you can create a copy of the shared files and move them to your own Drive.

Go to the Google Drive account where you want to share your data.
Select all the files/folders that you want to move to another account.
Right-click on the file, then click on the Share button.
Add another username of the Google account. Then, choose the Advanced option.
Change the permission from viewer or editor. Hit the Send button.
Sign in to another Google account where your shared data will be sent.
Check the Shared folder. Now, you can move the file to another folder within the same account.
Right-click the files in the folder and select the 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 Google Drive to another account. Then, you can use Google Takeout. Google Drive does not offer a built-in option to directly migrate data between accounts. So, your only option is to export Google Drive files and move to another account.

Open Google Takeout and sign in to the account that you want to move the data.
Check the Deselect All option.
Scroll down and mark only Drive data.
Choose the .zip format, file size, delivery method, and frequency, and press the export button.
Google sends you a download link via email.
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.

Install Google Drive for Desktop and log in to your old Google account.
Select the file you want to move and sync to your local desktop.
After that, you can upload files manually to the new Drive account.
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 Account

Open the tool, then select GSuite (for Google Drive) as both the source and the destination.
Now, mark the box next to Documents, and apply the Date filter if needed.
Move on to the source page, fill in the required details, and press validate.
Repeat the step for the destination to move Google Drive to another account.
Choose a User Mapping option from Fetch Users, Import a premade CSV, or Download a premade template, fill it, and upload.
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.
End the process from your side by pressing the Start Migration button.

Summary

Many users want to move 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 a query regarding the migration, then you can ask us by contacting the support team.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. 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.

Q2. Am I going to lose any data after I decide to migrate my Google Drive to another account?

Ans. Not if you select the automated utility. As it prioritises both the data and 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.

Q3. 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.