Filen to MEGA: Move Between Two Zero-Knowledge Clouds for More Free Space

Transfer Filen files to MEGA, another end-to-end encrypted cloud, for a larger free tier. Browser download or cloud-to-cloud transfer through CloudsLinker.

Introduction

MEGA and Filen sit in the same category — both apply end-to-end, client-side encryption so the provider cannot read your files. A move between them is rarely about privacy; it is usually about MEGA's larger free allowance and its long-standing apps, or simply consolidating into an account you already use. Because both encrypt at rest, the migration keeps your zero-knowledge posture intact while changing provider. Filen connects with account credentials and a 2FA code; MEGA connects with its own account credentials. This guide covers two paths — a manual browser download and upload, and a cloud-to-cloud transfer through CloudsLinker.

Method 1: Browser Download and Upload
Method 2: Cloud-to-Cloud Transfer with CloudsLinker
Filen vs MEGA
Method Comparison
Practical Tips
FAQ

About Filen

Filen is a German cloud storage service built around zero-knowledge, client-side encryption. Files are encrypted on your device before upload, so the provider cannot read them.

Zero-knowledge encryption: client-side, provider has no access.
German hosting: data centers in Germany under GDPR.
Open source: client apps are publicly auditable.
Free tier: 10 GB.
Access: account credentials with a 2FA code.

About MEGA

MEGA is a New Zealand-based cloud storage service with end-to-end encryption applied to all files. It is known for a large free tier and apps across every major platform.

End-to-end encryption: client-side, applied to all files.
Free tier: 20 GB base, with bonuses.
Apps: web, desktop (MEGAsync), mobile.
Sharing: encrypted links with key embedded or shared separately.
Access: account credentials for transfer tools.

Comparison: Filen vs MEGA

Both are zero-knowledge, end-to-end encrypted clouds. The differences are jurisdiction (German vs New Zealand), free allowance, and ecosystem maturity. A move between them keeps your encryption posture and usually targets MEGA's larger free tier or existing account.

Feature	Filen	MEGA
Encryption	Client-side, zero-knowledge	Client-side, end-to-end
Jurisdiction	Germany, GDPR	New Zealand
Free tier	10 GB	20 GB base (plus bonuses)
Open source	Yes	Client is source-available
Third-party access	Account credentials + 2FA	Account credentials

Preparing to Move Filen to MEGA

On the Filen side

Decide the scope: both are private clouds, so this is usually a full move.
Prepare credentials: have your Filen email, password, and 2FA code ready.
Note shared links — they break once files are removed; you will reissue them in MEGA.

On the MEGA side

Confirm quota: MEGA's free tier is larger than Filen's, but verify it covers the volume; upgrade if needed.
Prepare credentials: have your MEGA email and password ready.
Plan a destination folder such as /Filen-Import/.

Method 1: Browser Download from Filen and Upload to MEGA

Step 1: Download from Filen

Open the Filen web app and sign in. Filen decrypts files in-browser using your key. Select files or folders and download them; folders package as ZIP archives. Work folder by folder for large libraries.

Step 2: Upload to MEGA

Open mega.io, extract the ZIP, and drag the folders into your target location, or use the MEGAsync desktop client for a more resilient upload of large queues. MEGA encrypts files in-browser as they upload.

Method 2: Cloud-to-Cloud Transfer with CloudsLinker

Move Filen to MEGA Without Local Downloads

CloudsLinker connects Filen through your account credentials and MEGA through its account credentials, then transfers server-side.

Step 1: Connect Filen

In CloudsLinker, click Add Cloud and select Filen. Enter your Filen email and password, then the 2FA code from your authenticator app. Confirm.

Connect Filen to CloudsLinker with credentials and 2FA

Step 2: Connect MEGA

Click Add Cloud and select MEGA. Enter your MEGA email and password, plus a 2FA code if enabled. MEGA appears as a connected destination.

Connect MEGA to CloudsLinker with account credentials

Step 3: Configure the Transfer

Open the Transfer section. Select Filen as the source and browse your folders. Select MEGA as the destination and choose the target folder. Filter by file type, size or date if needed. Use Copy to keep the Filen originals.

Configure Filen to MEGA transfer in CloudsLinker

Step 4: Start and Monitor

Click start. The Task List shows transferred size and remaining items. The transfer runs on CloudsLinker servers even if you close the browser. Open a few files in MEGA to verify before clearing Filen.

Method Comparison

Method	Ease of Use	Speed	Best For	Uses Local Bandwidth	Skill Level
Browser Download + Upload	★★★★☆	★★☆☆☆	A few files or folders	Yes	Beginner
CloudsLinker	★★★★★	★★★★★	Full library moves, hands-off	No	Beginner

Practical Tips for Filen to MEGA

Verify by opening, not just listing: both services encrypt at rest, so a broken file will not show until opened. Spot-check a sample after the move.
Watch MEGA's transfer quota: MEGA limits free-account transfer volume over a rolling window. A very large migration may hit the cap — spread it out or upgrade.
Recreate share links: Filen links do not migrate. MEGA links embed the decryption key, so reissue them deliberately for anything shared.
Keep both encryption keys safe: both rely on account-derived keys. Do not lose the MEGA recovery key, or encrypted data becomes unrecoverable.
Change your Filen password afterward: rotate it once the migration is verified.
Test a folder first: move one folder, confirm it opens in MEGA, then queue the rest.

Frequently Asked Questions

MEGA uses a folder tree, the same model as Filen. Files land in the destination folder you pick, with the Filen hierarchy recreated underneath.

Yes. Both methods preserve hierarchy. CloudsLinker replicates the Filen folder tree; the browser ZIP preserves it when extracted intact.

Yes. Both Filen and MEGA encrypt client-side, so files remain zero-knowledge after the move. This is one of the few migrations that does not weaken your encryption posture.

Both use account credentials, since their encryption is tied to account-derived keys. Filen needs email, password and a 2FA code; MEGA needs email and password (plus 2FA if enabled). Rotate both passwords after the migration.

The transfer pauses and pending files are flagged. MEGA free accounts also cap transfer volume over a rolling window — if you hit that, wait for it to reset or upgrade, then restart. CloudsLinker skips files that already landed.

Yes. CloudsLinker lets you pick specific folders and filter by file type, size and date. The browser method requires manual selection on the Filen side.

Data travels over TLS, and both endpoints encrypt at rest client-side. This migration keeps your zero-knowledge posture. Rotate both account passwords after the run to reset access granted to the transfer tool.

Conclusion

For a few files, the browser route works. For a larger library, CloudsLinker connects Filen through your account credentials and MEGA through its account credentials, moving everything server-side. Because both services encrypt at rest, verify by opening a sample of files in MEGA before clearing Filen — a corrupted file will not be obvious from the listing alone. Both keep your data zero-knowledge, so the main thing to confirm is that MEGA's quota covers the volume you are moving.

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