How do you Transfer Files from one Google Drive to Another?

Not sure how to transfer files from one Google Drive to another! Constantly searching for an easy and simple approach to implement the process successfully? If yes, then no worries anymore because in the write-up, we will be focusing on a solution that will help in transferring files from one Google Drive to another without any issues.

Google Drive is a brilliant cloud-based source to store, manage, and transfer files in both personal and professional environment. However, it won’t always be obvious how to execute several tasks you think you able to carry out. At times, the functionality is available but is named oddly or not appearing in menus. Other times, you anticipate a feature to be present, only to find it missing, making you search for third party solutions. And sometimes, in other circumstances, you miss out a straightforward option. But that is perfectly okay as it happens with everyone.

Main Reasons to Transfer Files from one Google Drive to Another

One major function you expect from Google Drive is the function to move files from one Google Drive to another. And there are many reasons why you look for this feature –

• One drive for active use files and another is used for archival. You are thinking about zipping and archiving the files that are not frequently used and move the same into storage drive.
• The team holds separate Drive account and you need to move files back and forth rather collaborating on one shared file, or you want to move files from ownership account to another team account.
• Having files in a Work or a school drive, or want copies to use to work on them at home, so you want to get a copy for your own purpose.
• Holding more than one Drive account and wanting to merge them, so the entire files or folders stored on a single Drive will move to another and the first drive will be shut down.
• Multiple Google Drive accounts enhance the storage capacity which makes you seek out a suitable way to transfer files from one Google Drive to another.     

How to Transfer Files from One Google Drive to Another?

Before transferring files from one Google Drive to another, make sure to first consider if you really want to move files and if yes, then is there enough space available for the same. As Google Drive has limited amount of storage space and however it can be extended but there is also a possibility that it could also run out. The situation is common when transferring or merging files.

You will be able to view things such as –

• Duplicate files
• Hidden files
• Temporary files
• Largest files
• Bulk files deletion

From there, you may determine how to manage them. It is completely possible that at some stage, you have collected multiple unnecessary copies of large files and could free up a lot of additional space by erasing duplicates.

Once the unnecessary files are eliminated, take the support of different ways available to transfer files from one Drive to another.

But keep in mind that the work will depend somewhat on whether you are required to make copies of files or transfer files from one location to another.

Option 1. Download & Upload

The first way to manage transfer of files from one drive to another would the most evident. You have either already though about this or currently utilizing the method and want to look for an alternative solution. However, in case you do not have large files to transfer and its feasible solution for some of you, here how to execute it.

Quick Note. If you are utilizing Google Drive for PC or Mac OS and choose to copy files locally, your files will already exists within your local drive, allowing you to skip the download step.

First, login to Source Drive for downloading the files. This Drive account currently possesses the files you need to move. Search for the files and folders you need to transfer, right-click on the same, and then download them in your computer.

It is necessary to make sure that you have good amount of space on the computer. Google will also automatically compress folders in zip and may able to download large files in several parts to improve and update this process. However, bypassing the automatic zipping process is impossible unless you download files individually that is impractical for larger drives.

In case you have a large amount of files to download, then you can use Google Takeout. Make sure to Deselect all the checkboxes except Google Drive, then choose the compression, select the files you want to download and start the export process.

The download link will be sent to your Gmail account.

After the files are downloaded, log out from your Source Drive and login to your Destination Drive where you need to transfer your files. You may do this with the help of web interface.

Once logged into Destination Drive account, now upload the files and folders.

Unfortunately, if zip file was downloaded, then you will need to extract them before uploading.

As it is already clear that the task is somehow time-consuming and tedious. You need to repeat the step every time you need to transfer a file. Also, it is important to have enough space to store a file that you are moving. Once the file is moved, delete it from the Source Drive, if necessary and from your local system to finish the transfer process. You also have limited internet connectivity for downloading and uploading the files, depend on the circumstances.

Option 2. Share and Take Ownership

The second option uses the Google’s ability for sharing and transferring ownership of files between accounts.

Generally, the files in Google Drive are accessible only by the Drive owner and users added to the Drive account. However, the files can still be shared by the users who do not use Google account.

To perform the same, choose the files you wish to share, right-click on the same, and tap Share. This function displays sharing menu that allow users to share the files with required users. However, you will get shareable link that you can share with anyone who you need to give access to that file or choose particular Google accounts you want to add in the access list.

One great thing about Google Drive is that when a file is shared with you, you will be able to access it and it won’t take any space in your drive. However, if the owner moves or removes it, then you may no longer able to access it.

Solving the Problem using Two Options

Produce a Copy – When a file is shared with you, select the file, go to File drop-down menu and select Make a Copy. The function will generate copy of a file on your Drive. If somehow the original is changed, the copy will remain the same.

Transfer Ownership – The owner of the original file should do this. Choose “Make Owner” option appearing in the same sharing menu. The function will send a request to a required Drive account, which they need to accept in order to transfer file ownership.

This, fundamentally, reverses the roles.

The original owner now possesses the sharing access to the file and won’t take up the same in Drive. Consequently, the new owner has now the control over the file.

The “Make a Copy” method is efficient, except it could run into problem where the original and the copy are maintained independently. The disconnection between the two files can create issues if they require sync.

However, the transfer ownership has few minor issues and they are listed below –

• It has the ability to transfer single file or folder at a time.
• In case you have many files or folders to move, it would be tiresome and need few requests.
• Furthermore, it is a request. It should be accepted to transfer file ownership. The request has a time restriction if it stays for too long.

At last, no option will work if the destination drive is a work or school account. The account that is involved should be admin account or personal account.

Option 3. Sync Different Drives

There is another option available to transfer files from one Drive to another. However, it also has the same limitations as the download and upload method in option one. Specifically, it is required to have appropriate space on the computer to hold the files.

To do the same, install Google Drive on the system by visiting the Google Drive download page, download the setup file and follow the instructions listed.

Here, make sure if you want to stream or copy files.

Streaming files preserve the files on a Drive; only download a file when there is a requirement to modify it and uploading the modifications after you save them. This function protects the local space but need internet connection.

Copying or syncing files store both the local as well as online copy so that you will be able to work offline and after the internet is connected, the new file will replace the older file.

Note.

If you are choosing the mirroring or syncing files, then it is crucial to have good amount of storage space on the system for both the Google Drive accounts. Downloading the files is not a big deal for personal accounts with the space of 15 GB but if you are talking about business accounts with terabytes of storage, then it could be a tall order.

Once the Google Drive is installed, Google will ask to login Drive account. Do as it says and follow the prompts. After it is done, add second Drive account. Google will then redirect you to a page to login to second Drive account.

Once both the accounts are configured in a local drive, then you may transfer files from one account to another as if they are the folders or drives on the computer. In case you are using streamed files, it requires the downloading and uploading of a file. And if you are utilizing synced file, it will simply transfer the local copy of a file, deleting the file from a source drive and adding the same to destination drive when next sync process will start.

If you want to have a copies of files not a complete transfer, then it can be done as well. Just copy the files instead of moving them.

Epilogue

In the write-up, we have provided different options to transfer files from one Google Drive to another. You may go with the necessary option and move files from one Google Drive to another without any issues. For any queries, contact MacMister Support.