Move OneDrive Files to Google Drive Securely

It is very easy to move documents from OneDrive to Google Drive. There are several ways that you can use it to manually move your data. Here, I will discuss these methods and also explain the challenges and tips for a smooth OneDrive file transfer. Before that, let’s see the reasons to move your files from OneDrive to Google Drive.

Reasons to Move OneDrive Documents to Google Drive

Users often transfer their files across the cloud service for more storage, better collaboration tools, or integration with non-Microsoft applications. Below are some common reasons to move to Google Drive.

• Google Drive offers more storage than OneDrive, i.e., 15 GB, which is free but shared across other Google services. For more storage, they switch their platforms.
• Google Drive is deeply integrated with Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides, which help you provide real-time collaboration. Which is limited in OneDrive.
• Microsoft OneDrive has a more limited marketplace than Google Drive, which can be easily integrated with third-party applications.
• If your primary workflow circled around Gmail, Google Calendar, etc. Then, moving your files to Google Drive makes it easier for file sharing and accessibility.
• Many use Google Drive over OneDrive for their work. Because of its minimal interface and cross-platform compatibility.

It is very efficient to use Google Drive, but if you heavily depend on Microsoft 365, OneDrive is a better option.

Premigration Consideration

Before starting to migrate the files from OneDrive to Google Drive. You must prepare by following these steps.

• First, review your current data in your OneDrive. Remove any deleted duplicates and unnecessary files for easy moving.
• Check the storage space of your target Google Drive. Is there sufficient storage for incoming data?
• Make sure the file stored in OneDrive is in a suitable file format to move to Google platforms.
• Verify your sharing permissions and external links, as they may change between platforms.
• There are some special characters that OneDrive allows, but not in Google Drive. Replace them with the Google valid characters.
• There is a limit on the number of nested folders (usually up to 20 levels). So, organize them in the nested folder within the limit.
• Make sure no file exceeds Google’s 5 TB or OneDrive’s specific upload limits of 250 GB.
• Make sure you have global administrator rights for OneDrive and Super Administrator for Google Workspace.

Once you have properly followed the steps, you can start following the solutions that I have mentioned below.

Manually Download and Upload Documents

The simple way to move your documents from OneDrive to Google Drive is to download your files from OneDrive and upload them to Google Drive.

1. Log in to your OneDrive account and then select the documents you want to transfer.
2. Download it to your local computer. Then, sign in to the Google Drive.
3. Click the Upload button, browse your file, and import it to your Drive.

The steps are easy, but it is time-consuming because you have to individually upload each file. Also, the folder structure may break and is not suitable for large amounts of data.

Use Google Drive Desktop App to Move Documents

By downloading the desktop version of the Google Drive app and syncing it to your local folder, you can easily transfer it. The steps are mostly the same for downloading your files. After that, it is different from moving to the Google Drive desktop app.

1. Download and install the Google Drive for Desktop.
2. Run the Drive desktop app, click on the gear icon.
3. Select the Preferences and then press the Google Drive.
4. Either use the Stream files method or the Mirror file for synchronization.
5. After that, you can see your Google Drive folder in the local drive.
6. Go to the OneDrive account and download the documents that you want to transfer.
7. Drag your downloaded files and drop it to the Google Drive folder.

Copy Documents from OneDrive to Google Workspace

There is an official way to move your files from OneDrive to Google Drive. It is manual, but it copies your files. You need work around and a valid super administrator account.

1. First, connect your Microsoft account in the Google Admin Console. Log in to your Admin Console.
2. Go to the Menu, select Data, and then the Data import & export button.
3. Choose Data Migration (New). Click on the Migrate button and connect to Microsoft OneDrive.
4. Sign in to the Microsoft account, and then you can start transferring the files.
5. Download the sample CSV file and add your OneDrive user IDs.
6. Create an identity map by clicking the download sample CSV file. Add the OneDrive user email Ids in the source email and Google Drive user IDs in the destination email.
7. After that, click on Start migration.

This way, you can copy your OneDrive documents to Google Drive. These methods help users to move their documents, but professionals use technical tools to move their files.

Transfer OneDrive Documents to Google Drive – Professional Recommendations

Enterprises use the SysTools OneDrive to Google Drive Migration Tool to transfer their documents securely. In this, you can move bulk or selective files without any issues. In this, you need admin account details, which we will not use for only migrating your documents. The software is available in Windows and Linux operating system and to know how it works. Follow the steps below.

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Steps of the Software

1. First, download the software and then choose Microsoft 365 as the source and G Suite as the destination.
   
2. Choose Documents from Workload Selection.
   
3. Add account details of both Microsoft 365 and G Suite platforms.
   
4. Now, add the user accounts by using Fetch Users or Import Users.
   
5. Once adding the user accounts, click the Start Migration button.
   

Conclusion

In this blog, I have explained ways to move documents from OneDrive to Google Drive. There are manual methods that allow individual users to easily transfer their OneDrive files. But most professionals use the technical software to migrate their documents. I have explained all the possible methods, so carefully follow them.