Unfortunately, you cannot directly merge two Google Drive accounts into a single one while keeping just one email address. Google does not offer a built-in feature for this kind of account consolidation.
While merging accounts isn't possible, the good news is that you can still consolidate your files and data from one account into another. This process involves transferring or migrating the content from the account you want to phase out into the account you want to keep.
Understanding Google Drive Merging
The concept of "merging" suggests combining two things into one seamless entity. For Google Drive accounts, this would ideally mean having all your files from both accounts accessible under a single login and storage quota. However, as confirmed by Google's current functionality, this isn't an option. Google does not offer the functionality to merge two Drives and keep one email.
The practical solution is to move your content from the "source" account to the "destination" account you plan to continue using. Once all necessary data is transferred, you can then choose to keep the source account for other purposes or delete it entirely.
The Workaround: Transferring Content
Since direct merging isn't an option, the recommended approach is transferring your files and folders. There are several ways to achieve this, depending on the amount of data and your technical comfort level.
Methods to Transfer Files
Here are the primary methods you can use to move content between Google Drive accounts:
- Sharing and Copying: This is a straightforward method for specific folders or files.
- In the source account, share the folders or files you want to move with the destination account's email address. Grant "Editor" access.
- Log in to the destination account. You'll see the shared items in the "Shared with me" section.
- To truly own the copies in your destination Drive, you'll need to make copies of the shared files and folders within your destination account's "My Drive". Note: This will create duplicates and may break links or version history from the original files.
- Download and Upload: A simple, manual process suitable for smaller amounts of data.
- In the source account, select the files and folders you want to move.
- Download them to your computer (they will typically download as a
.zipfile). - Log in to the destination account.
- Upload the downloaded files and folders to your destination Drive.
- Google Takeout: A comprehensive tool for exporting your Google data, including Drive.
- Go to Google Takeout.
- Deselect all services except "Drive".
- Customize your export (e.g., select specific folders, file types).
- Choose your delivery method (e.g., download link via email, add to Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive).
- Once the archive is ready and downloaded/delivered, upload the Drive content to your destination account.
- Google Drive for Desktop: If you use the desktop application, you can sync files from the source account to your computer and then move them into the destination account's synced folders.
- Ensure both accounts are added or switched between in the Google Drive for Desktop application.
- Sync the desired folders from the source account to your computer.
- Once synced, manually move these folders from the source account's Google Drive folder on your computer to the destination account's Google Drive folder.
Comparison of Transfer Methods
| Method | Ease of Use | Data Volume Suitability | Preserves File Structure | Preserves Ownership/Metadata | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sharing & Copying | Easy | Medium | Yes (if copied carefully) | No (creates new copies) | Select folders, collaboration transfer |
| Download & Upload | Easy | Small to Medium | Yes | No | Simple file transfers, small data sets |
| Google Takeout | Moderate | Large | Yes | Limited (metadata export) | Bulk export, backing up all data from source |
| Drive for Desktop | Moderate | Large | Yes | No | Syncing and moving large local datasets |
Choose the method that best fits the amount of data you need to transfer and how you want to manage the files afterwards. Remember that after transferring content, you may need to reorganize files, update sharing permissions, and ensure everything is correctly placed in your desired destination Drive.
Once the transfer is complete and you are confident that all necessary files are in your destination account, you can proceed with managing or deleting the original source account if it's no longer needed.
