How to Transfer Google Drive Between Accounts (2025 Guide)

The Problem with Transferring Google Drive

Google accounts are siloed by design. There's no built-in "move all files to a different account" feature. If you need to consolidate accounts, switch from a work account to personal, or save files before an account is closed, you need a workaround.

The three main methods are:

1. DriveSwap — automated tool, fastest, preserves Google file formats
2. Google Takeout — official export, free, but manual and slow
3. Manual sharing — works for a few files, not for bulk transfers

Method 1: DriveSwap (Automated)

DriveSwap connects to both Google accounts and copies files directly between them using Google's own Drive API. Files transfer as native Google formats — Docs stay Docs, Sheets stay Sheets.

How it works:

1. Sign in with your destination (personal) Google account at driveswap.app
2. Connect your source account
3. Select file types or let it transfer everything
4. Transfer runs automatically — files land in a organized folder in your personal Drive

Pros: Fast, automatic, preserves formats, AI organization available
Cons: 500-file free limit (Pro removes it)

Method 2: Google Takeout

Google Takeout (takeout.google.com) lets you export your entire Google account as a zip file.

Steps:

1. Go to takeout.google.com and select Google Drive
2. Choose export format and file size limit
3. Wait for the export email (can take hours for large Drives)
4. Download the zip file(s)
5. Manually upload to your new Google account

Pros: Free, official Google tool
Cons: Google Docs export as .docx (not native), slow, manual upload required, large Drives come as many zip files

Method 3: Manual Sharing

You can share individual files with your other account, then "Make a copy" to add them to your Drive.

Pros: Free, no tools needed
Cons: Only practical for under 20 files. At scale, this takes hours.

Comparison Table

Which Method Should You Use?

• Transferring 50+ files → DriveSwap Pro
• Under 500 files → DriveSwap free tier
• Want everything including Gmail/Photos → Google Takeout (then re-upload Drive files)
• Just a few documents → Manual sharing