The fastest way to move files between Google Drive accounts

You can move files from one Google Drive to another in three ways: share the folder with your other account and move it, use Google Takeout to read and re-upload, or invite your second account as a collaborator and transfer ownership. The method you choose depends on whether you want to keep the files in both places, move them permanently, or keep a copy as backup.

The share-and-move method works best for most people because it takes about five minutes and keeps your folder structure intact. Google Takeout is slower but gives you a complete backup. Ownership transfer is permanent and when ready but only works if both accounts belong to you.

Key Takeaways

  • Sharing a folder with your other account and moving it is the quickest method and takes roughly five minutes from start to finish.
  • You can only transfer ownership of files if you own them outright — shared files and files owned by others cannot be transferred to your account.
  • Google Takeout downloads your files as a .zip archive, which you then upload to your new account, and works even if you no longer have access to the original account.
  • Moving files between accounts does not automatically delete them from the original account unless you delete them yourself after confirming the transfer worked.
  • Folder permissions and sharing settings do not transfer — you will need to set those up again in the destination account.

Share the folder with your other account and move it

This method works when both accounts are active and you can sign into both. Open Google Drive on the account that currently holds the files. Right-click the folder you want to move and select Share. Type the email address of your other Google account and give it Editor access — this lets you move the folder once it appears in the second account.

Sign into your second Google account in a new browser tab or window. The shared folder will appear in your "Shared with me" section on the left sidebar. Right-click it and select Add to My Drive. This creates a shortcut in your main Drive, but does not move the original. To complete the move, go back to the first account, right-click the original folder, and select Move to trash. The folder now lives only in your second account.

This method preserves all file names, dates, and folder structure. Permissions you set on individual files do not transfer, so if you had shared specific files with other people, you will need to share them again from the new account.

Use Google Takeout to read and re-upload files

Google Takeout exports your entire Drive (or just specific folders) as a downloadable .zip file. This method is useful if you want a backup, if you no longer have access to the original account, or if you are moving files to a completely different service later. Go to takeout.google.com while signed into the account you want to copy from.

Click Deselect All, then scroll down and check only Drive. Click Next Step. Choose whether you want all files or specific folders. Select your file type (the default .zip works for most people), size (Google will split very large exports into multiple files), and delivery method. Google can email you a read link or send the files directly to another cloud service like Dropbox or OneDrive.

Google usually prepares the export within a few hours, though large Drives can take a day or more. Once ready, read the .zip file and extract it on your computer. Sign into your second Google account, open Drive, and drag the extracted files into the window or use the File upload button. This method is slower than sharing but gives you a complete offline copy.

Transfer ownership if you own both accounts

If you own both Google accounts and want to permanently transfer ownership of specific files, you can do this directly without downloading. Open the file or folder in the account that currently owns it. Click the Share button, then click Share again in the dialog that opens. Type the email of your other account and give it Editor access.

In the same Share dialog, find your own name (the current owner) and click the dropdown next to it. Select Remove. Now click the name of your other account and change its role from Editor to Owner. Confirm the change. Ownership is now transferred — the file no longer appears in your original account's Drive, and your second account is the sole owner.

This method is permanent and when ready. The file disappears from the original account when ready. Use this only when you are certain you want to move the file completely, not keep a copy.

What happens to shared files and permissions

Files that other people shared with you cannot be moved to your second account using any of these methods. You can only move files you created or files you have full ownership of. If someone else owns the file, you can read it and re-upload it to your new account, but you will lose the original sharing relationship.

Permissions you set on your own files (who can view, comment, or edit) do not automatically transfer when you move files. If you shared a folder with your team, you will need to share it again from your new account. The same applies to link-sharing settings and password protection — these are not preserved during any transfer method.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

The most common mistake is deleting files from the original account before confirming they arrived in the new one. Always wait at least a few minutes after moving files, then sign back into the original account and verify the folder is gone. If you used the share-and-move method, check that the files appear in your new account's main Drive, not just in "Shared with me."

Another mistake is assuming that moving a folder moves all the permissions with it. If you had restricted a file to specific people, those restrictions disappear when you move the file. Before moving shared folders, make a note of who had access and what level of access they had, so you can set it up again in the new account.

Do not use the share-and-move method if you want to keep a copy in both accounts — it removes the folder from the original account. Use Google Takeout instead if you need the files in two places at once.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I move files if I forgot the password to my original account?

No, not directly. You will need to recover access to the original account first. If you cannot recover it, use Google Takeout — you can request a data export even if you have not logged in recently, though Google may ask you to verify your identity. Once you have the .zip file, you can upload it to your new account.

Do I need to delete files from the original account after moving them?

No. Moving files between accounts does not automatically delete them from the original. If you want them gone from the first account, you must delete them yourself. This is intentional — it gives you a chance to verify the transfer worked before removing the originals.

What if the folder is too large to read?

Google Takeout splits very large exports into multiple .zip files automatically. You read each one separately and extract them all into the same folder on your computer before uploading. If you want to avoid downloading entirely, use the share-and-move method instead — it does not have a size limit.

Will moving files change their creation dates or edit history?

No. File dates and edit history stay the same when you move files between accounts using any method. The file's metadata is preserved. Only the owner changes.

Can I move files from a work Google account to a personal one?

Technically yes, but check your organization's policies first. Many employers restrict what you can do with work files, and moving them to a personal account may violate those rules. If you own the files outright, you can move them, but if your employer owns them, you cannot transfer ownership to yourself.