🔄 How to Transfer Google Drive Files Between Accounts (5 Proven Methods)

Transferring Google Drive files to another account doesn’t have to be complicated. In this guide, we explore five real-world methods—Google Takeout, Shared Drive Access, Rclone, CloudsLinker, and Alist—so you can choose the one that suits your workflow, tech skills, and file size.

Introduction

Whether you're switching to a new Google account or reorganizing shared resources, moving files between Google Drive accounts can be surprisingly nuanced. Some users need quick one-time exports, while others want full sync or automation. This guide introduces five practical approaches—from Google’s own data tools to advanced command-line utilities and browser-based services. We break down each option, including its pros, ideal use cases, and limitations. No matter your experience level or goal, you’ll find a method here that works for you.

Method One: Export & Import Using Google Takeout
Method Two: Share Files Directly Between Google Drive Accounts
Method Three: Use Rclone to Transfer Between Google Drive Accounts
Method Four: Use CloudsLinker to Transfer Between Google Drive Accounts
Method Five: Use Alist to Transfer Files Between Google Drive Accounts
Comparative Overview of Transfer Methods
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Step‑by‑Step Video Tutorial

Transferring Files Between Google Accounts

Moving files from one Google Drive account to another isn't always as simple as dragging and dropping. Depending on the tools you use, the process can either be smooth or full of friction. In this guide, we explore five different approaches—each tailored to different user habits and technical comfort levels.

Whether you prefer downloading a full archive, syncing files through command-line tools, or using cloud-based transfer services, you’ll find a method that fits. We also introduce options like direct file sharing and lightweight self-hosted gateways, giving you full control over how your data moves across accounts.

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but once you understand what each method offers, choosing the right path becomes easy—even for non-technical users.

Method One: Export & Import Using Google Takeout

Step 1: Visit Google Takeout and Select Drive Data

Head to Google Takeout, Google’s official export platform. Uncheck all services except Google Drive, then click All Drive data included to fine-tune which folders you want to export.

Step 2: Choose Export Format and Delivery Method

Select the export frequency (usually Export once) and choose your preferred file type. Google typically uses .zip format, which is easy to unpack on any system. For larger exports, you’ll receive multiple ZIP files.

You can either receive a download link via email or send the files directly to a linked Google Drive account after authorization.

Step 3: Download, Unpack, and Re-Upload (If Needed)

Once the export is complete, you’ll receive an email with a download link. If you exported to OneDrive, the ZIP files will appear in your account automatically.

After downloading or locating the files, unzip them on your device and organize the content in your destination account. For split archives, be sure to download all parts before extracting.

Tip: If you plan to re-upload these files manually to another Google account, you may want to structure folders in advance to avoid confusion.

Important: Exports exceeding 2GB will be broken into multiple ZIP files, named sequentially. Be sure to download all parts before attempting extraction, or the files may be incomplete.

Method Two: Share Files Directly Between Google Drive Accounts

Step 1: Open the Source Account and Locate the Files

Sign in to your original Google Drive account and navigate to the files or folders you want to share. Right-click on the desired folder or file and select “Share” from the context menu.

You can share individual documents or entire folders. For large-scale organization, it’s recommended to group files into a folder before sharing.

Step 2: Add the Destination Account’s Email

In the sharing popup, enter the email address of your second Google account (the one you want to access the files from). Make sure to select Editor as the access level so the target account can organize or copy files later.

Click Send to finalize the share. The recipient account will now receive an email notification and see the shared folder under Shared with me.

Step 3: Open the Second Account and Access Shared Files

Now log in to the destination account. Open Google Drive and go to the Shared with me section. You’ll see all the folders and files shared from the first account.

To make the content truly your own, right-click the shared folder and choose Make a copy. This creates a private duplicate under your My Drive section.

Important: This method only grants access—not ownership. If the original account revokes sharing or deletes the files, access will be permanently lost. It’s not a true file transfer, and should only be used for temporary collaboration or quick access across accounts.

Method Three: Use Rclone to Transfer Between Google Drive Accounts

Step 1: Install and Initialize Rclone

Rclone is a powerful tool that lets you sync files between different cloud services directly. Visit rclone.org to download and install it. Then open your terminal and run:

rclone config

This opens the setup wizard where you’ll define remotes—Rclone’s term for a cloud connection.

Step 2: Set Up Two Google Drive Remotes

Create two remotes (e.g., gdrive1 and gdrive2) representing your source and destination Google accounts. You’ll be guided through a browser-based authentication for each.

After setup, check your remotes with:

rclone listremotes

Step 3: Transfer Files Between Accounts

Now transfer your files from one account to another using:

rclone copy gdrive1:/MyFolder gdrive2:/MyFolderCopy --progress

Add a dry-run flag to test the command first:

rclone copy gdrive1:/Docs gdrive2:/DocsBackup --dry-run

Note: Rclone transfers your files cloud-to-cloud, so your local bandwidth won’t be affected—perfect for large folders and automated workflows.

Method Four: Use CloudsLinker to Transfer Between Google Drive Accounts

About CloudsLinker:

CloudsLinker is a cloud-based transfer service that connects over 40+ cloud platforms, including Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, and MEGA. It works entirely online, requiring no downloads, no installations, and no usage of your local bandwidth. All transfers are handled directly server-to-server using encrypted OAuth 2.0 authentication, ensuring a secure and efficient migration.

Step 1: Connect Your First Google Drive Account

Go to CloudsLinker, and click Add Cloud. Choose Google Drive and sign in using the account you want to transfer files from. After completing the OAuth login, the drive will be listed and accessible as a source.

Step 2: Connect the Second Google Drive Account

Add your second Google Drive account in the same way. This account will act as the destination for the transfer. After both drives are connected, you'll be able to select between them freely in the transfer interface.

Step 3: Set Up the Transfer

Head to the Transfer section. Select a source folder from the first Google Drive, and a destination path under the second account. You can rename or create folders directly in the interface. Optional features like filter by file type, exclude rules, and overwrite options are available for advanced control.

Step 4: Start the Transfer

Click Transfer to begin. The transfer happens in the cloud—so you can even close your browser. Check the Task tab for live progress, error logs, and retry attempts. Failed files will be automatically retried unless manually stopped.

Step 5: Confirm Completion

Once the task status is marked as Completed, log in to your second Google Drive account and verify the folder contents. Your files have now been securely and permanently moved—no temporary sharing, no dependency on the source account.

Why It Matters: Unlike file sharing, CloudsLinker performs an actual transfer. This means the second account owns a full copy of the files. Even if the original account deletes or unshares the source, your migrated data remains intact and fully accessible.

Method Five: Use Alist to Transfer Files Between Google Drive Accounts

About Alist:

Alist is an open-source web-based tool that allows you to mount and manage cloud storage accounts—such as Google Drive—locally or remotely. It supports multiple accounts simultaneously and gives you a clean UI for operations like copy, move, or sync. By mounting two separate Google Drive accounts, you can move files directly from one to the other with full control.

Step 1: Install Alist

Visit the official Alist website or its GitHub release page to download the latest version. It supports Windows, macOS, and Linux. No compilation is needed—just download, unzip, and you're ready to go.

Step 2: Launch and Log In

Start Alist with:

./alist admin random
./alist server

Then visit http://127.0.0.1:5244 in your browser and log in with the admin credentials generated above.

Step 3: Add Two Google Drive Accounts

In the web interface, go to Manage > Storage, and add your first Google Drive account. Then repeat the process to add your second Google Drive account as a separate storage. Alist will mount both accounts and display them as independent folders. If needed, refer to the Google Drive token guide for setup.

Step 4: Move or Copy Files Between Drives

Once both drives are added, go back to the homepage. You'll see both Google Drive accounts listed. Navigate into the source folder, select the files you wish to move, and click “Move” or “Copy”. Choose the second Google Drive as the target destination.

This process uses the Alist server’s resources—if you installed it locally, the traffic goes through your machine. If you use a remote VPS or NAS, the transfer happens from cloud to cloud without affecting your local bandwidth.

Why It Matters: Alist lets you perform a true file transfer between two Google Drive accounts. Unlike shared links or shortcut methods, the second account will receive full file ownership. Once moved, the files exist independently of the original source and cannot be revoked or unlinked by the first account.

Comparative Overview of Transfer Methods

Method	Best For	Pros	Cons
Google Takeout	One-time full exports	Official tool, no technical setup, works without third-party services	Slow for large datasets, split archives over 2GB, manual re-upload required
Google Drive File Sharing	Quick access without copying	Instant availability, no download/upload needed	Not a real transfer, access can be revoked anytime
Rclone	Advanced users with scripting needs	Highly customizable, efficient, supports filters and automation	Command-line interface may be intimidating for beginners
CloudsLinker	Fast cloud-to-cloud transfers	No local storage needed, full-featured web interface, supports large files and scheduling	Requires cloud authorization, relies on external service availability
Alist	Tech-savvy users who prefer local or VPS-based control	Mount multiple drives, full ownership after transfer, open-source and self-hosted	Setup complexity, OAuth token configuration required

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

A1: Yes. All tools in this guide use secure authentication methods. Google Takeout and CloudsLinker use OAuth 2.0. Rclone also supports encrypted configurations. Alist is self-hosted, so you can control the environment. Avoid sharing tokens publicly to maintain security.

A2: It varies by method and file size. Google Takeout may take several hours and requires manual download. Rclone and Alist can complete faster depending on bandwidth and system performance. CloudsLinker typically offers the quickest experience since it uses server-side transfer.

A3: No. Sharing simply provides access to the file, but the original account still owns the data. If the owner revokes access or deletes the file, the recipient loses access. True transfer means the receiving account gets an independent copy.

A4: Yes. Google Takeout splits files into 2GB ZIP chunks. Rclone may hit Google API rate limits if transferring thousands of small files. CloudsLinker handles large files well but may fail if the source account has restrictions like blocked files. Alist depends on server resources and API quota.

A5: CloudsLinker is the most beginner-friendly. It offers a clean interface, no command-line interaction, and the transfer happens entirely in the cloud. Google Takeout is also simple but lacks real-time status or automation.

A6: It requires some technical familiarity. You'll need to download binaries, run server commands, and configure tokens manually. However, once set up, it provides full control and doesn’t rely on third-party servers.

Watch Our Step-by-Step Video Tutorial

Not sure which method suits you best? Watch our comprehensive walk through of the five proven ways to transfer files between Google Drive accounts. This video covers Google Takeout, direct sharing, Rclone setup, CloudsLinker transfers, and Alist self-hosted migration—each shown with real examples.

Whether you prefer visual tools or command-line control, this guide will help you understand the pros, limitations, and setup steps for each approach. Perfect for both beginners and tech-savvy users.

Conclusion

Each method has its role: Google Takeout is ideal for complete exports, Shared Drive is great for seamless access migration, Rclone provides full control for advanced users, Alist adds a self-hosted option for flexibility, and CloudsLinker is perfect for fast, no-install cloud transfers. Match the method to your situation—and if simplicity and speed are priorities, CloudsLinker is the most user-friendly solution.

Start Your Free Trial at CloudsLinker