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How to Transfer OneDrive Files to Google Drive in 2026

The easy way to transfer all OneDrive files and folders to Google Drive is to use a secure cloud-to-cloud migration tool. This method is quick and convenient and requires no manual effort.

Other methods include manual download and upload, as well as transfers using desktop apps.OneDrive does not offer users the ability to transfer OneDrive to Google Drive automatically, so all native tools require manual work.

This article reviews all methods of migrating OneDrive to Google Drive. We begin with the automatic option because it is easier to use, but you may consider manual options, too, as long as you are ready for a challenge.

The following topics will be covered in this article:

Method 1. Migrate OneDrive to Google Drive with a cloud-to-cloud migration tool

Cloud-to-cloud migration tools transfer files directly between OneDrive and Google Drive without downloading them to your computer. Example: VaultMe.

VaultMe is a secure online tool for migrating data between OneDrive and Google Drive accounts in a browser. It will copy all your files and folders to Google Drive automatically and will preserve the folder organization of your account.

VaultMe has been vetted by top-tier universities such as Princeton, Dartmouth, UC Berkeley, and others who currently sponsor the use of VaultMe for their offboarding graduates.

Use this method when you:

  • Have a large account (10+ GB)
  • Need a quick transfer
  • Want to retain folder organization
  • Need to copy shared files
  • Don't have hard disk space

Steps to migrate OneDrive to Google Drive with VaultMe:

  1. Select "Migrate a single user account to another account."
  2. Select "Microsoft 365."
  3. Select "Google."
  4. Connect the accounts.
  5. Select the parts of the account that you want to copy.
  6. Start your migration.
  7. Close the browser or even power off your computer. You'll get an email notification once your migration has been completed.
  8. Download your migration report and keep it for future reference.
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Why use this method:

  • Faster and more precise for large (50 GB+) transfers and complex accounts

  • Shared files are included. Emails, contacts, and calendars can be copied as well

  • Works for both business and personal accounts

  • Copies the folder structure and metadata

  • Will run online unattended

  • No local storage is required

Schematic representation of automatic OneDrive to Google Drive migrations
OneDrive to Google Drive automatic migration with VaultMe

Unlike general cloud file managers, VaultMe is designed specifically for full account migration between cloud platforms.

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VaultMe will not move files from OneDrive to Google Drive or change ownership. It will only create your personal copies of OneDrive files in Google Drive.

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If you are a small business owner with several employees or an administrator managing the migration of Microsoft 365 user accounts to Google Workspace, consider trying VaultMe for Admins. This is a powerful tool intended for bulk migrations of multiple user accounts. Our article outlines the steps necessary to prepare for the migration and explains how to use VaultMe for Admins for your project: How to Migrate to Google Workspace: VaultMe's Step-by-Step Guide.

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If you have any questions about VaultMe, feel free to email us at support@vaultme.com. We'd be happy to help!

Method 2. Transfer OneDrive to Google Drive through manual download and upload

Using this method, you can download your files and folders to your computer and then upload them to Google Drive.

Use this method when:

  • You have a small account and a few files
  • You have free space on your hard drive
  • You don't mind manual work
  • You have enough free time

To migrate from OneDrive to Google Drive manually:

  1. Go to your OneDrive account in a browser.

  2. Select the file or folder you want to download and click the "Download" button.

    Migrating OneDrive to Google Drive, Option 2: manual download from OneDrive
    How to download a file or folder from OneDrive manually

  3. Upload the file or folder to your Google Drive.

    Migrating OneDrive to Google Drive, Option 2: manual upload to Google Drive
    How to upload a file or folder to Google Drive manually

Cons of this method:

  • The download and upload processes will be slow. It may take several days or weeks to transfer your OneDrive content to Google Drive (especially if you have a large account with over 10,000 items and/or 10 GB of content).

  • You must have enough free storage space on your computer for all your files and folders.

  • You will need to download the files shared with you separately.

    When people share files with your OneDrive account, they appear in the "Shared" section of your OneDrive. You can download these files separately or add them to your Drive before downloading the content from your account.

  • You will have to reorganize the downloaded files and folders before you upload them.

    When you download several files or folders simultaneously, Microsoft puts them in zip archives. If you want to preserve the folder structure of your OneDrive account within Google Drive, you will need to unzip the archives before you upload the files to Google Drive.

  • You will need a stable broadband connection and an uninterrupted power supply.

Method 3. Transfer files from OneDrive and Google Drive through syncing with hard drive

This method involves installing additional software.

Use this method when:

  • You have a small account and a few files
  • You have OneDrive and Google Drive apps installed
  • You don't need to copy shared files
  • You have enough free time

To copy files from OneDrive to Google Drive using desktop apps:

  1. Install Google Drive's ("Backup and Sync") and OneDrive's desktop apps.

  2. Connect your accounts.

  3. Sync OneDrive files and folders with your computer.

  4. Drag and drop your files from OneDrive folders to Google Drive.

The limitations of this method include the following:

  • You'll need to have enough storage space on your computer for the files that you wish to copy.

  • The OneDrive app will not display the files shared with you, and you will not be able to drag and drop them.

  • OneDrive and Google Drive may sync very slowly because the apps will not move the files directly from one account to another online. One app will download the documents to your hard drive, and then the other app will upload them to your account. The speed of the process will depend on the speed and stability of your broadband connection.

  • If you have a large account (over 10 GB and/or over 10,000 files), the copying process may fail to complete. Desktop apps for cloud drives are not optimized for working with large volumes of files.

Method 4. Transfer files from OneDrive and Google Drive as an admin

If you’re managing accounts for a school, university, or business, you may need to migrate files at the organizational level rather than as an individual user. Administrator-level migrations allow you to move user accounts in bulk and use admin authorization.

This method is typically used when migrating from OneDrive for Business (Microsoft 365) to Google Workspace.

To learn more about how VaultMe can help you with migrating an organization's OneDrive accounts to Google Workspace, see VaultMe for Admins - Google Workspace migration tool.

Option 1: Migrate OneDrive to Google Drive as an admin with VaultMe

Steps to migrate files to Google Workspace:

  1. Navigate to the VaultMe app.

  2. Select "Migrate or archive multiple user accounts (advanced)."

  3. Select Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace.

  4. Connect your accounts using admin authorization.

  5. Select your migration preferences

  6. Start your Google migration.

After your migration is complete, you will have 30 days to sync up changes between the accounts if needed.

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If you have any questions about VaultMe, feel free to email us at support@vaultme.com. We'd be happy to help!

Option 2: Migrate email to Google Workspace as an admin using Google's migration tool

Steps to migrate files to Google Workspace:

  1. Sign in to the Google Admin console as a super administrator.
  2. Navigate to Menu > Data > Data import & export > Data Migration (New).
  3. Click "Migrate for Microsoft OneDrive."
  4. Sign in with your Microsoft Global Administrator account.
  5. Create a migration plan.
  6. Start migration.

This is a simplified version of the migration process. The setup requires a lot of manual work and preparation. For detailed information on how to use Google's native migration tool, refer to the following article: Migrate files from a OneDrive account.

OneDrive to Google Drive migration considerations

Because OneDrive and Google Drive belong to different ecosystems, there are several migration considerations you should keep in mind when choosing a migration tool and planning your transition.

  1. Support for personal and business accounts

    Some methods work with both personal and business accounts (such as VaultMe and manual methods), while others support only business accounts (such as Google's native migration tools).

  2. Native file formats

    Manual methods may cause inconsistencies in file formats. VaultMe, as well as some other third-party apps, automatically converts Microsoft native formats to Google native formats with no changes to formatting (Microsoft Word → Google Doc, Microsoft Excel → Google Sheets, Microsoft PowerPoint → Google Slides).

  3. Folder structures

    With manual methods, folder structures will need to be recreated manually. Automated tools, including VaultMe, typically retain these structures.

  4. Metadata

    With manual methods, metadata such as dates, times, and other properties may be lost. Specialized migration tools retain these with different levels of precision. VaultMe retains metadata and does not compress files.

  5. Shared files

    Some migration methods, including drag & drop, do not include shared content. VaultMe supports migrations of files from "Shared" as well as "Shared libraries."

  6. Reporting and support

    Free methods, including Google's native migration tool, offer little to no reporting and support. VaultMe provides item-level reports along with the locations of the files before and after the migration, and has human support teams.

  7. Delta migrations.

    In some cases, such as when migrating OneDrive to Google Drive as an administrator, you may need to transfer users in phases. In this scenario, you will need to run a sync-up migration (also known as a delta migration) to capture all recent changes before a cut-off. With manual methods, copying only recent changes isn't possible. With VaultMe and Google's native tool, you'll have access to this functionality.

Before you migrate OneDrive to Google Drive

Before you begin moving files from OneDrive to Google Drive, take a few moments to prepare your destination and clean up your source. These steps can help prevent errors during the migration and reduce the size of your migration.

1. Check available storage in Google Drive

First, ensure your Google Drive account has enough space to receive all files from OneDrive. If your account does not have enough free storage space, consider purchasing additional storage. If your account is managed by a work, school, or other organization, you may need to ask the administrator to increase your storage quota.

To check your storage use, visit Storage for an overview of storage used across Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos.

If you are planning to migrate shared files, account for this content as well.

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If you need to purchase additional storage space, wait for at least 24 hours before setting up your migration, since Google may propagate changes in storage numbers with a delay.

2. Review and clean up the source account

Migrating everything as-is can be inefficient. Consider cleaning up your OneDrive files before transferring. For example:

  • Delete outdated or unnecessary files you no longer need.
  • Consolidate duplicate folders.
  • Unshare the content that you don't need if you are planning to migrate shared files as well as the files that you own.

How VaultMe compares to other migration methods

Features VaultMe Manual download and upload Drag & Drop method Native Google migration tool
Transfer of files from "My files" Automatic Manual Manual Automatic
Transfer of files from "Shared" Automatic Manual Not supported Not supported
Transfer of files from "Shared libraries" Automatic Manual Not supported Automatic
Transfer of emails, contacts, and calendars Yes No No Not supported
No hard drive storage is required Yes No No Yes
Works online Yes No No Yes
Preserves folder structure Yes No Yes Yes
Is recommended for large accounts (10+ GB and/or 10 000+ items) Yes No No No
Generates a detailed migration report Yes No No No
Human support Yes No No No
Free option No Yes Yes Yes

Frequently asked questions about transferring OneDrive data

How do I take all files off OneDrive?

You can move your files from OneDrive to Google Drive using manual methods (outlined above) or an automated migration app like VaultMe. Then, you can delete all files in OneDrive.

Can I use both OneDrive and Google Drive?

Yes, you can have OneDrive and Google Drive accounts at the same time. They can even be registered to the same Gmail address. However, neither OneDrive nor Google Drive offers free built-in tools for syncing the content between the two platforms.

How do I transfer files from OneDrive to Google Drive without downloading them?

If you want to avoid downloading and reuploading your OneDrive files, you can use automated migration software that will do the job for you. While there are many available options, we recommend VaultMe because of the extensive work done by our teams to create as perfect an outcome as possible.

How can I back up OneDrive?

While OneDrive and Google Drive cannot be synchronized, you can use a paid automated data transfer tool to create a one-time backup of your OneDrive documents in Google Drive. While there are many options that you can consider, we recommend VaultMe as it's inexpensive, quick, and easy to use.

How do I convert OneDrive to Google Drive?

To switch from Microsoft OneDrive to Google Drive, first, you need to create a Google account and get it ready for use. Then, you can proceed to transfer your OneDrive files to Google Drive. OneDrive data can be transferred manually or automatically. For small amounts of data, manual methods may offer a viable solution. However, if you have a larger account, consider using a third-party migration app like VaultMe to copy your OneDrive files to Google Drive.

How do I move everything from OneDrive to Google Drive?

There are two approaches: the manual and the automatic. Downloading and uploading the files manually is free but takes time. Migrating OneDrive content to Google Drive automatically is only possible with a paid third-party migration tool. However, it may be worth investing in if you have a large account and limited time to perform the transfer.

How much Google Drive storage is free?

Free Google accounts come with 15 GB of free storage space shared between Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos.

Is OneDrive connected to Google Photos?

No, these two services cannot be connected. If you migrate from Microsoft OneDrive to Google Drive, your photos will go to Google Drive. Unfortunately, moving photos from Google Drive to Google Photos automatically is not possible, so you'll need to transfer them manually.

Conclusion

You can move your files from OneDrive to Google Drive automatically or manually. The choice depends on several factors, including how valuable your documents are to you and how much time you have.

If you wish to transfer your OneDrive documents to Google Drive quickly and securely, use VaultMe. The VaultMe app migrates OneDrive files automatically and works online in a browser.

If you are moving away from Microsoft to Google, you may also want to transfer your Outlook emails to Gmail. VaultMe can migrate Outlook emails, contacts, and calendars together with OneDrive files. VaultMe is a paid service, but it saves time and makes the whole process painless.

Schematic representation of automated email migration
VaultMe migrates Outlook emails automatically

If you'd prefer to copy your files from OneDrive to Google Drive for free, use one of the manual options. Before you start, make sure you are comfortable with their limitations and be prepared for some difficulties.

Need to move not only OneDrive files but also Outlook emails? You'll find instructions in this article: How to Transfer Emails from Outlook to Gmail.

Want to close your old Hotmail (Microsoft 365) account permanently? Use VaultMe's easy-to-follow guide: Close a Hotmail Account: 6 Easy Steps.

Need to delete an Outlook account? This article outlines the options: Delete Outlook Account in 2025.

Planning a OneDrive to OneDrive migration? Explore your options with this blog post: How to Transfer OneDrive Files and Folders to Another Account.

Need to transfer end-user accounts from OneDrive for Business to Google Workspace? Use VaultMe's guide for admins and small business owners: How to Transfer OneDrive Files and Folders to Another Account.

Looking for an email migration tool? Explore your options using our guide: How to Choose an Email Migration Tool.

Need to move from Microsoft 365 to Google Workspace? Learn how to do that: How to Migrate to Google Workspace: VaultMe's Step-by-Step Guide.

Need to transfer emails between online accounts? The following post outlines how this can be done: How to Transfer Emails to Another Email Account.

Video Guide: How to Transfer Google Drive to OneDrive

Video Guide: Email Migration Tools and Services

Video Guide: How to Migrate Google Workspace to Office 365 or Microsoft 365

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