The fastest way to transfer files between Google Drive accounts

The simplest method is to use Google Drive's built-in share and transfer features. If you own the files, you can share them with your new account, then move them into a folder you own there. If someone else owns the files, you can request ownership transfer directly through Google Drive, or download them to your computer and upload them to the new account.

The route you choose depends on who owns the files and whether you need to preserve folder structure and sharing permissions. Ownership transfer is fastest for large collections, but only works if the original owner agrees. Sharing and moving works for any file you have access to, but takes more steps. Downloading and re-uploading gives you complete control but is slowest for large amounts of data.

Key Takeaways

  • If you own the files, share them with your new account, then use the "Move" option to transfer them into a folder you control in the new account.
  • If someone else owns the files and you need them in your account, request ownership transfer by right-clicking the file or folder and selecting "Request ownership."
  • Downloading files to your computer and uploading them to the new account works for any file you can access, but is slower for large collections.
  • Google Drive's transfer tool can move your entire account to a new email address, but only if you are transferring to a different Google account tied to the same person.

Transferring files you own using share and move

Start by signing into the Google Drive account that currently holds the files. Right-click the file or folder you want to move, then select "Share." Add your new Google account email address and give it Editor access. Do not change any other sharing settings yet.

Now sign into your new Google Drive account. The shared file or folder will appear in the "Shared with me" section on the left sidebar. Right-click it and select "Add to My Drive." This creates a copy in your account without removing it from the original location. Then right-click it again and select "Move" to place it in the folder where you want it to live permanently.

Once the file is in the right place in your new account, go back to the original account and remove the sharing link if you no longer need it. Right-click the file, select "Share," then click "Remove access" next to your new account's email. This prevents accidental edits from both accounts.

Requesting ownership transfer when someone else owns the files

If the files belong to someone else but you need to own them in your new account, you can request ownership transfer. Sign into the account that has access to the files. Right-click the file or folder and select "Request ownership." Google will send a notification to the current owner asking permission to transfer it to you.

The owner will see a prompt in their Google Drive asking whether to approve or deny the request. If they approve, ownership transfers to you immediately, and you can then move the file to your new account using the share-and-move method described above. If they deny it, you will need to ask them to share it with Editor access instead, then download and re-upload it yourself.

Ownership transfer works for individual files and entire folders. If you request ownership of a folder, all files inside it transfer as well. This is the cleanest option for large collections because it preserves all comments, version history, and internal sharing permissions.

Downloading and uploading files to move them manually

This method works for any file you can access, regardless of who owns it. Sign into the account holding the files. Right-click the file or folder and select "Download." Google will create a compressed file (a .zip) if you download a folder with multiple files inside. Save it to your computer.

Now sign into your new Google Drive account. Click the "New" button on the left, select "File upload" or "Folder upload" depending on what you downloaded, and choose the file from your computer. Google will upload it and place it in your Drive. If you downloaded a folder as a .zip, you will need to right-click it after upload and select "Extract" to unzip it.

This method is reliable but slower than the other options, especially for folders with many files or large video files. It also does not preserve version history or internal sharing permissions — only the current version of each file transfers. Use this method when the owner will not approve a transfer request or when you need a clean copy without historical data.

Using Google's account transfer tool for a complete account move

Google offers a built-in tool to transfer your entire Google Drive to a different account, but only if both accounts belong to the same person. This is useful if you are switching to a new email address or consolidating multiple personal accounts. Go to myaccount.google.com, click "Data & privacy" on the left, then scroll to "Your data" and select "Download your data."

Choose "Google Drive" from the list of services, select which files to include, and choose your download format. Google will prepare a file containing everything and email you a download link. Then sign into your new account, go to the same page, and select "Upload your data." This is not a direct transfer — you download from one account and upload to the other — but it preserves all folder structure and file metadata.

This tool is slower than the share-and-move method for small numbers of files, but it is the most thorough option if you are moving your entire Drive. It can take several hours for Google to prepare the download if you have thousands of files.

What happens to shared files and permissions during transfer

When you use share-and-move, the file remains in the original account and also appears in your new account. People who had access to it in the old account still have that access — the sharing does not change. If you want to remove the old version from circulation, you must delete it from the original account after confirming the new version is in place.

When you request ownership transfer, all existing sharing permissions move with the file. Anyone who had access to it before will still have access after the transfer, with the same permission level they had before. Comments and edit history stay attached to the file as well.

When you download and re-upload, you create a brand new file with no sharing history. Nobody will have access to it in your new account unless you explicitly share it with them. This is useful if you want a fresh start without inherited permissions, but it means you will need to re-share the file with anyone who needs it.

Troubleshooting common transfer problems

If a file does not appear in "Shared with me" after someone shares it with you, check your email for the sharing notification and click the link in the email. Sometimes Google Drive does not immediately sync the shared file to your sidebar. If you still do not see it, ask the owner to re-share it and make sure they are using the correct email address for your new account.

If ownership transfer is taking longer than expected, check your email for a notification from Google. The owner may have denied the request without telling you, or the request may have expired. Ownership transfer requests are valid for 30 days. If it expires, you will need to send a new request.

If you download a folder and the .zip file is very large, your browser may time out before the download completes. Try downloading smaller folders one at a time instead. If individual files are too large to download, check your internet connection and try again during a time when your connection is stable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer files from a Google Workspace account to a personal Google account?

Yes, using the share-and-move or download-and-upload methods. Ownership transfer may not work between Workspace and personal accounts depending on your organization's settings. Contact your Workspace administrator if you are unsure whether transfer is allowed. The share-and-move method always works because it does not require the original owner to approve anything.

Will transferring files use up storage space in both accounts?

When you use share-and-move, the file counts toward storage in both accounts because it exists in both places. When you request ownership transfer, the file only counts toward the new owner's storage after the transfer is complete. When you download and re-upload, the file only counts toward your new account's storage. Check your storage limits before transferring large collections.

What if I want to move files but keep a copy in the original account?

Use the share-and-move method and do not delete the file from the original account. The file will exist in both places, and changes made in one account will not affect the other because they are separate copies. If you want changes to sync between accounts, use shared folders instead and edit the file in the shared location.

Can I schedule a transfer to happen automatically?

Google Drive does not have a built-in scheduling feature for transfers. You must complete the transfer manually. If you need to move files regularly between accounts, consider using a third-party automation tool or setting a calendar reminder to do it on a regular schedule.

How long does it take to transfer a large folder with thousands of files?

Share-and-move is nearly instant for the sharing step, but moving a large folder can take several minutes depending on your internet connection. Download-and-upload can take hours for very large collections because Google must compress the folder and your computer must upload all the files. Ownership transfer is instant once the owner approves, but the approval itself may take hours or days.