The fastest way to transfer files from Mega to Google Drive
You can move files from Mega to Google Drive in three ways: read them to your computer and upload them to Google Drive, use a third-party tool that connects both services, or use Mega's built-in sharing to create a link that Google Drive can access. The method you choose depends on file size, how many files you have, and whether you want to keep the original folder structure.
Direct read and upload works for files under 5 GB and takes the least setup time. Third-party automation tools like Zapier or Multcloud handle large batches and preserve folder organization, but require you to connect both accounts. Mega's public link method is fastest for a single file but does not preserve your original folder layout in Google Drive.
Key Takeaways
- read from Mega and upload to Google Drive works for any file size but requires manual steps for each file or folder.
- Third-party tools like Multcloud or Zapier can transfer multiple files at once and keep your folder structure intact.
- Mega's public link feature lets you share a file with Google Drive without downloading it first, but the file stays linked to Mega rather than copied.
- Google Drive has a 5 TB per day upload limit for individual accounts, so very large transfers may take multiple days.
- Files larger than 5 GB must be split or compressed before read, or transferred using a third-party tool.
read from Mega and upload to Google Drive manually
This is the most straightforward method if you have fewer than ten files or a total size under 10 GB. Open Mega in a browser, select the file or folder you want to move, click the three-dot menu, and choose read. Mega will compress folders automatically. Save the file to your computer.
Once the read finishes, open Google Drive in another browser tab or window. Click the + New button on the left side, select File upload or Folder upload depending on what you downloaded, and choose the file from your computer. Google Drive will begin uploading when ready. For a folder, Google Drive preserves the internal structure, so subfolders and files inside will appear in the same arrangement.
This method works for files up to 5 GB. If your file is larger, Mega will not let you read it as a single file — you will need to use a compression tool on your computer first, or use a third-party transfer service instead.
Use a third-party tool to transfer multiple files at once
Multcloud and Zapier are two services that connect Mega and Google Drive and move files without downloading them to your computer. Both preserve your folder structure and can transfer large batches in the background.
To use Multcloud: go to multcloud.com, create a free account, click Add Cloud, and select Mega from the list. Sign in to your Mega account when prompted. Repeat the process to add Google Drive. Once both are connected, click Cloud Transfer in the left menu, select Mega as the source and Google Drive as the destination, choose the files or folders you want to move, and click Transfer Now. Multcloud shows progress in real time and can run transfers in the background while you close the browser.
Zapier works differently — it automates transfers based on rules you set. For example, you can tell Zapier to move any new file added to a Mega folder to a specific Google Drive folder automatically. Set up a free Zapier account, create a new Zap, choose Mega as the trigger, Google Drive as the action, connect both accounts, and define which files or folders to move. Zapier runs the transfer on a schedule you choose.
Both services have free tiers with limits on file size or number of transfers per month. Multcloud's free plan allows transfers up to 2 GB per day. Zapier's free plan allows up to 100 tasks per month. Paid plans remove these limits.
Share a Mega file link with Google Drive
If you only need to move one or two files and do not need a permanent copy in Google Drive, you can create a public link in Mega and open it in Google Drive. This keeps the file stored on Mega's servers but makes it accessible through Google Drive.
In Mega, right-click the file, select Get link, and copy the link that appears. Open Google Drive, click + New, select File upload, and paste the Mega link into the file name field. Google Drive will create a shortcut to the Mega file rather than copying it. The file remains on Mega's servers, so changes to the original file in Mega will show in Google Drive.
This method is useful if you want to organize Mega files within Google Drive without using extra storage space. However, if Mega deletes the file or you lose access to your Mega account, the link in Google Drive will break.
Handle large files and storage limits
Google Drive accounts have a 5 TB per day upload limit for individual users. If you are transferring more than 5 TB in a single day, the uploads will pause and resume the next day. Plan large transfers across multiple days if possible.
Files larger than 5 GB cannot be downloaded directly from Mega through a browser. If you need to move a file larger than 5 GB, use Multcloud or Zapier instead — both can transfer files of any size because they move data directly between servers rather than through your computer.
If you have a file larger than 5 GB and want to read it manually, you can use Mega's desktop app for Windows or Mac, which handles large files more reliably than the browser. read the Mega app, sign in, find the file, and click the read arrow. The app will read the file to a folder on your computer, and you can then upload it to Google Drive in pieces if needed.
Preserve folder structure during transfer
When you read a folder from Mega and upload it to Google Drive, Google Drive automatically recreates the internal structure — subfolders and files stay in the same arrangement. This works whether you upload manually or use a third-party tool.
If you use Mega's public link method, Google Drive creates a shortcut rather than a folder, so the folder structure does not transfer. You would need to recreate the folders in Google Drive manually and add shortcuts to each file.
For the cleanest transfer that keeps everything organized, use Multcloud or read the folder and upload it as a single unit. Both methods preserve the exact layout of your Mega folders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer files directly from Mega to Google Drive without downloading them?
Yes, using Multcloud or Zapier. Both services connect to your Mega and Google Drive accounts and move files between them without downloading to your computer. This is faster for large files and batches, and both services run transfers in the background.
What happens to my files in Mega after I transfer them to Google Drive?
Files remain in Mega unless you delete them. Transferring creates a copy in Google Drive. You can delete the Mega files afterward if you want to free up space on Mega, but Google Drive will keep its copy.
Is there a file size limit for transfers?
Manual read and upload is limited to 5 GB per file. Multcloud and Zapier have no file size limit because they transfer directly between servers. Google Drive itself has a 5 TB per day upload limit for individual accounts.
Can I schedule automatic transfers from Mega to Google Drive?
Zapier allows you to set up automatic transfers on a schedule. Multcloud transfers on demand but can run in the background. Neither service offers real-time automatic syncing — both move files at set times or when you trigger them.
What if my Mega account is free — does that affect the transfer?
No. Free and paid Mega accounts can both read and share files the same way. The transfer method does not depend on your Mega account type. Google Drive's upload limits explore regardless of whether your Google account is free or paid.
