Environment
U-M Google, Google Takeout, Takeout Transfer
Issue
- What is Google Takeout? What is Google Takeout Transfer?
- How do I use these tools?
Resolution
Important: Google provides these services "as is" and without administrative support. ITS has no ability to diagnose or assist with problems you might encounter.
Additionally, if your account is deactivated before your Takeout / Takeout Transfer export is complete, the export will be interrupted and canceled. You will need to reactivate your account and restart the Takeout export from the beginning.
Google Takeout
Google Takeout is a tool developed by Google that allows you to export and download copies of various types of data currently stored in your Google account, such as Drive, Mail, or Calendar.
Use this tool if:
- You want an archive/backup of all of your account data.
- You want to export more than just files in Drive, email/labels in Gmail, and photos/videos/albums in Photos, and/or specific data from Google services.
- You don't want to transfer your Drive, Mail, or Photos data to a different Google account.
Key features:
- Creates downloadable files or exports directly to another cloud storage service
- Supports most Google services (Drive, Gmail, Photos, Calendar, Contacts, etc.)
- Allows you to select specific services and specific data within those services
Limitations:
- Email is exported as an MBOX file, which cannot be directly imported into Gmail
- Requires manual steps to reupload or use the data
For more information, refer to Getting Started With Google Takeout, which includes tips on preparing your data pre-export and using it in common export scenarios. (You can also review the Google Help Center article on Takeout.)
Google Takeout Transfer
Google Takeout Transfer is a tool developed by Google that allows you to transfer a copy of all email/labels in Gmail, all Drive files you own, and all photos/videos/albums you own in Photos in your U-M Google account to another Google account (e.g., personal @gmail.com account).
Use this tool if:
- You are a student who is graduating, an employee who is retiring, or an employee who is leaving the university without retaining an affiliation.
- You want to copy all your emails, Drive files, and photos/videos/albums you own from your U-M Google account to your personal Google account.
- You want to copy this content to a different (non-UM) work or school Google account (e.g., @emich.edu).
- You don't care about transferring other data from your U-M Google account, like calendars or chat messages (which don't copy over with this tool).
Key features:
- Direct account-to-account copy
- Copies email directly into Gmail, files directly into Drive, and photos/videos/albums directly into Photos (no files to import)
- Maintains Drive folder structures, Gmail labels, and Photos albums
Limitations:
- Only supports Gmail, Drive, and Photos
- Copies all content (no partial selection)
- Does not transfer shared files you don’t own in Drive
- Does not transfer contacts, chats, or tasks in Gmail
- Does not transfer photo comments, album descriptions, Face Group names, and other information related to your photos/videos in Photos
For more information, refer to Getting Started With Google Takeout Transfer, which includes considerations and recommendations for using the tool, along with instructions on how to do so. (You can also review the Google Help Center article on Takeout Transfer.)
Additional Information
- Neither tool transfers shared files you do not own, nor file permissions/sharing settings.
- Always verify your data after copying or exporting it before deleting anything from your U-M account.
Need additional information or assistance? Contact the ITS Service Center.