How Do I Move Files from One Google Drive Account to Another

Tracy King updated on Dec 19, 2023 to PC Transfer | How-to Articles

Running out of Google storage? This article explains how you can seamlessly move files from one Google account to another.

Workable Solutions Step-by-step Troubleshooting
Option 1: Download and Upload Files  Step 1. Sign in to your Google account & open a drive; Step 2. Navigate Google Drive files and pick the file...Full steps
Option 2: Use Share Feature Step 1. Open Google Drive & pick the folder/file you wish to share. Since we want to share multiple files...Full steps
Option 3: Use Google Takeout Step 1. Head to Google Takeout. Google will have picked all the data in your Google account; Step 2. Find & click...Full steps
Google Drive Alternative: EaseUS Todo PCTrans Step 1. Open EaseUS Todo PCTrans on both of your computers. Choose "PC to PC" to go to the next step...Full steps

Are you looking to move your Google Drive files from one account to another? Follow along as we explore a few ways to do that. 

If you're using multiple Google accounts, you might have wondered how I move files from one Google Drive account to another. It could be because you keep your work and personal emails separate. Or, you simply ran out of storage on one of them.

However, moving Google drive storage isn't as simple or easy as shifting data from one hard drive to another. But, there's always an easier or quicker way to do it. So, how do you move files from one account on Google drive to another? Let's find out.

Why do You want to Transfer Files from One Google Account to Another? 

Every time you make a Google account, you're entitled to personal cloud storage of 15 gigabytes. The first step in understanding how do I move files from one Google Drive account to another is to understand the nature of data stored in your Drive account.

Google Drive stores your data across various Google services, such as:

  • Gmail
  • Google Docs
  • Google Photos

Each of these parts of the Google suite can automatically or manually store your files. While the 15GB limit is way more than most cloud storages offer, it still can run its course especially if you've been using Google drive for a few years.

Considering images alone can take gigabytes of data. On top of that, if you're using the same account for personal and professional use, then the chances of you running out of storage are more probable. In such a case, you will want to transfer your files from one Google account to another.

Perhaps the primary reason is to ensure keeping professional and personal files separate for all the reasons.

Option 1: Use Download & Upload Feature to Move Files 

Perhaps the most straightforward way is to download your files from one account to another. When trying to find out how I move files from one Google Drive account to another, many recommend this process.

So, all you have to do is sign into the Google account from which you wish to move your files. Then, follow these steps:

Step 1. Sign in to your Google account & open a drive.

Step 2. Navigate Google Drive files and pick the file you wish to move.

Step 3. Right-click on the file and scroll down until you find the Download option. 

Now the file is on your computer, sign in to your second Google account and open the Drive. 

Step 5. Head to Drive space where you wish to upload the downloaded file.

Step 6. Right-click the space, then find and click File Upload.

Step 7. Navigate your computer to the downloaded file location.

Step 8. Pick the file and upload it. Wait until Google finishes uploading.

While this is the most straightforward procedure, it can take a lot of time if you're copying hundreds of files or files heavier than a few megabytes.

Option 2: Use Share Feature to Move Files with Other Google Accounts

Another easy option is to use the in-built share feature in your Google drive.

If you're wondering, how do I move files from one google drive account to another? Then there's a section in every Google drive. This section says, "Shared with me". This section is pretty self-explanatory. So, how do you use this feature to move files from one account to another?

However, the idea here is to move multiple files. So, let's see how you can do that:

Step 1. Open Google Drive & pick the folder/file you wish to share. Since we want to share multiple files, we'll be sharing the folder that consists of them.

Step 2. Right-click on the folder/file you wish to share and choose Share.

Step 3. Enter the second Google Drive's Gmail, and click Send.

Now that you've shared the file/folder, open the other Gmail account and head to Google Drive:

Step 4. Navigate the sidebar. Then click on Shared with me.

Step 5. Once you do, you will see the shared folder.

From here, you can simply copy or download the files to your computer. This is one of the easiest ways since it doesn't require as much work as downloading and uploading the files again.

Option 3: Use Google Takeout to Move Files 

Google Takeout is a service offered by the search engine giant. This service allows the users to create a manifest of important data, which makes for easier transfer to another account. The process of using this feature is quite straightforward, and it goes like this:

Step 1. Head to Google Takeout. Google will have picked all the data in your Google account.

Step 2. Find & click Deselect All.

Step 3. Navigate & find Drive. Select the Drive option.

Step 5. From here, you can click on All Drive data included to pick only the files you wish to backup/move.

Step 6. After selection, scroll down and click Next.

Step 7. Pick the options, then click on Create export.

Step 8. Click on Download.

Step 9. Enter your Gmail password when Google prompts. Google will then download the files to your computer in Zip format

This is an easy process, especially if you're looking to move several files.

Tired of Cloud Devices? Try to Move All Files Between PCs with EaseUS Todo PCTrans

Cloud storage can be a hassle to manage. As we've known throughout, it's a problem that many people face once their cloud storage is full or they wish to move a bulk of files from one account to another.

That's when a tool like EaseUS Todo PCTrans makes life easy for professionals and home users.

The tool is designed to ensure an easy process - whether you're downloading, uploading, moving, copying, or removing many files at once in your cloud storage. Therefore, this tool can save you from all the hassle of downloading the file and uploading it to another account, since it can transfer files from PC to PC easily.

Step 1. Open EaseUS Todo PCTrans on both of your computers. Choose "PC to PC" to go to the next step.

Step 2. Make sure you have chosen the right transfer direction.

"New" - Move data from old computer to current new computer.

"Old" - Move data from current old n computer to remote new computer.

Step 3. Connect two PCs via the network by entering the password or verification code of the target PC. Besides, make sure you have chosen the right transfer direction and click "Connect" to continue.

The verification code is on the right top of the "PC to PC" main screen on the target computer.

Step 4. Then, choose "Files" to select files to transfer. Select the specific files as you want. What's more, you can click the Edit icon to customize the storage path for transferred data.

Step 5. Now, click "Transfer" to begin to transfer files from PC to PC. The size of the file determines the transfer time. Wait patiently.

Or the hassle-full process of going through the Google takeout. Therefore, EaseUS Todo PCTrans is your best bet at moving files between computers easily, seamlessly, and, most importantly, quickly.

Conclusion

There you have the process of copying from one Google account to another. As we've seen throughout this article, the process can be done in three different steps/options. It all comes down to how many files you wish to move and their size.