How to Transfer Ownership of a Google Drive Folder or File 2024

Are you one of those individuals who have accumulated multiple Google accounts for various purposes? Whether it’s for subscriptions, newsletters, specific tasks, or testing applications, managing multiple Google Drive accounts can sometimes lead to complications, especially when files or folders end up in the wrong account. Sharing the content may not always be an optimal solution, as it occupies space in two accounts. Fortunately, changing ownership of a Google Drive folder or file is possible, and the process is not overly complicated. Here’s a step by step guide on how to transfer ownership of a Google drive folder or file:

Share a Folder or File:

1. Right-click on the folder or file you want to share.
2. Select Sharing > Sharing.
3. In the “Add people and groups” field, add the name or email address of the person with whom you want to share.

Change Folder/File Ownership:

1. Right-click the folder or file you want to transfer ownership of.
2. Select Share > Share again.
3. Click the small triangle next to the name or email address of the person you want to switch ownership with.
4. In the drop-down menu, select “Transfer ownership.”
5. A pop-up will ask for confirmation; choose “Send invitation.”

Accept Ownership from the New Owner:

If you’re the potential new owner:

1. Check your email for the “[File or Folder Name] Ownership Invitation.”
2. The email will contain buttons to accept or decline ownership.
3. Alternatively, go to Google Drive, click on the shared folder or file, and follow the prompts.

As the new owner, you will now be listed as the owner of the folder/file, and the previous owner will be notified of the change.

Dealing with File Ownership Display:

An annoying drawback is that changing the ownership of a folder does not automatically update the file ownership within the folder. To address this:

1. Change the ownership of each file individually using the instructions above.
2. If dealing with numerous files, consider exporting the entire folder using Google Takeout.
3. Go to Google Takeout, deselect all, scroll to Drive, and select the desired folder.
4. Export the folder using the preferred formats.

By following these steps, you can seamlessly transfer ownership of Google Drive folders or files, ensuring effective collaboration and organization across different accounts.