At times, we may find ourselves wanting to change our Google account due to various reasons, such as having a funny or embarrassing email ID or simply wanting a fresh start with a new account. However, creating a new Google account doesn’t automatically transfer all our data from the old account, which can be a concern as we have valuable information in our emails, contacts, photos, and files.
But worry not! There is a way to manually migrate most of your Google account data to the new account. Although this process can take some time, it’s worth the effort to retain important data and memories.
Things To Consider Before Getting Started
Before you begin the data transfer, there are some important points to consider:
- There is no automatic process to magically transfer all your data. You’ll need to manually export and import data into every Google service.
- Third-party apps that you’ve logged in with Google Sign-in will not be transferred automatically. You will have to manually change the settings in these apps.
- You can transfer data such as Contacts, Emails, Calendar events, Drive files, Photos, and bookmarks. However, certain data like YouTube subscriptions, Tasks, Keep notes, Playlists, and purchases made through Google Play will not be transferred.
Basic Steps To Migrate Google Account Data to a New Account
Now, let’s proceed with the step-by-step process to migrate your data from one Google account to another:
Step #1: Create Your New Google Account
Take your time to create a new Google account wisely, as frequently changing Gmail IDs can be tedious.
IStep #2: Download Your Google Takeout Archive
Open your old Google account in a new tab and proceed to download the data linked with it. This is known as the Google Takeout Archive. To do this, log in to your old Google account, go to account settings, then navigate to Data & Personalisation > Download your data in the ‘Download or Delete’ section. Alternatively, you can use a direct link to access the final page.
Step #3: Select and Export Data
On the download page, you’ll find a list of all the data linked to your old account, including auto-fill information, location history, shopping lists, and contacts. Select all the data you want to transfer and click the ‘next step’ button. Choose the file type as ‘Zip,’ select the download destination, and click ‘Create export.’ Depending on the amount of data, this process may take several hours or even days.
Step #4: Extract the Google Takeout Archive
Once the export is completed, download and extract the zip file on your computer. This Google Takeout Archive contains all the data you need to migrate to your new Google account.
Step #5: Upload Data to the New Google Account
Since Google does not allow you to import all the data at once, you’ll need to import it to each service individually.
Importing Contacts to the New Google Account
Start with your contacts. On your new Google account, go to Google Contacts and click on ‘Import’ in the left sidebar. Select the ‘.vcf’ file from the Contacts folder of the Google Takeout archive. This will import all your contacts to the new account.
Importing Emails to the New Gmail Account
The Google Takeout Archive contains all your emails and contact information from the old account, but importing them to your new Gmail account can be achieved using an alternative method. Access Gmail on a web browser with your new Google account, click on the Settings button in the upper-right corner, then go to Accounts and Import > Import mails and contacts.
Follow the prompts to sign in to your old account, and it will sync all your emails and contacts to the new account. You’ll receive emails on both the old and new accounts for the next 30 days, which you can disable in the settings.
Importing Google Drive Files
Your old Google Drive files can be imported effortlessly to the new account. Log in to your Drive account linked to the new Google account, click on ‘New’ in the top-left corner, then select ‘Folder Upload.’ Choose the Drive folder from the Google Takeout Archive, and all your old files will be uploaded to your new account, retaining their status.
Importing Photos to Google Photos
To migrate your precious Google Photos, click the upload button on the Google Photos homepage, select the Google Photos folder from the Google Takeout Archive, and upload all the photos from that folder to your new account.
Final Words
Migrating your Google account data to a new account requires some manual effort. But it is a feasible and worthwhile option to retain relevant information. By following the step-by-step process outlined above, you can ensure a seamless transition to your new Google account.
