Moving Files from Google Drive to Dropbox: Step-by-Step

How to move your files from Google Drive to Dropbox

You can move files from Google Drive to Dropbox in three main ways: read them to your computer and upload them to Dropbox, use Dropbox's Google Drive import tool, or connect the two accounts directly through Dropbox's integrations. The fastest method depends on how many files you have and whether you want to keep them in Google Drive afterward. For most people, the direct connection method takes the least time and requires no manual downloading.

Each method preserves your file names and folder structure, though some options handle permissions and sharing settings differently. Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides files convert to Microsoft Office formats (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) or PDF when moved, so you should check that the conversion works for your needs before moving large numbers of files.

Key Takeaways

The fastest method is to connect your Google Drive account to Dropbox through Dropbox's integrations, which copies files without downloading them to your computer.
If you read files manually, use Google Drive's "read" option for individual files or "Export" for Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides to convert them to Office formats.
Dropbox's Google Drive import tool works only for files stored in your Google Drive root folder, not files inside shared drives or team folders.
Shared files and permissions do not transfer automatically—you will need to reshare files in Dropbox or adjust permissions after the move.
Check file size limits: Dropbox free accounts have 2 GB of storage, and individual file uploads are limited to 20 GB through the web interface.

Method 1: Connect Google Drive directly to Dropbox

Dropbox allows you to connect your Google Drive account so files sync between the two services without downloading. Log into Dropbox on the web, go to Settings, select "Connected apps," and choose "Google Drive." Authorize Dropbox to access your Google Drive account. Once connected, Dropbox creates a folder called "Google Drive" in your Dropbox account and begins copying files from your Google Drive into it.

This method is the least hands-on because Dropbox handles the file transfer in the background. Files remain in your Google Drive while copies appear in Dropbox, so you can delete the Google Drive versions later if you want to free up space. The process can take hours or days depending on how many files you have, and Dropbox will send you a notification when the import is complete.

One limitation: this method copies only files in your main Google Drive folder. Files inside shared drives, team drives, or folders shared with you by others will not transfer. If you need those files, you will need to move them separately using one of the other methods.

Method 2: read and upload files manually

For smaller numbers of files or specific folders, downloading and uploading is straightforward. In Google Drive, right-click the file or folder you want to move and select "read." Google Drive will read the file to your computer's default read folder. For Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides, right-click and choose "read," then select the format you want (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or PDF). This conversion happens during read, so the file arrives on your computer in the new format.

Once downloaded, log into Dropbox on the web or open the Dropbox desktop app, navigate to the folder where you want the files to go, and click "Upload files" or drag the files directly into the folder. Dropbox will begin uploading when ready. For folders with many files, the desktop app is faster because you can drag entire folders at once, and the app will upload them in the background while you work.

This method works well for moving specific files or folders, but it is slower for large numbers of files because each file must read to your computer first, then upload to Dropbox. It also requires you to have enough free space on your computer to hold the files temporarily.

Method 3: Use Dropbox's Google Drive import tool

Dropbox offers an import tool specifically for Google Drive files. Go to dropbox.com, sign in, and look for the "Import" or "get your free guide" option in the main menu (the exact location varies by account type). Select "Google Drive" as the source. Dropbox will ask you to authorize access to your Google Drive account, then show you a list of files in your Google Drive root folder that you can import.

Select the files or folders you want to move and click "Import." Dropbox copies them into a new folder in your account. This method is faster than manual read and upload for moderate numbers of files, and it requires no computer storage. However, it only works for files in your main Google Drive folder—not files in subfolders, shared drives, or shared folders.

What happens to Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides

Google's native file types (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms) do not exist in Dropbox. When you move these files, they must convert to a different format. The standard conversion is to Microsoft Office formats: Google Docs become Word files (.docx), Sheets become Excel files (.xlsx), and Slides become PowerPoint files (.pptx). Some methods also offer PDF conversion.

Before moving large numbers of Google Docs files, test the conversion with one file to make sure formatting, images, and formulas survive the change. Complex documents with unusual fonts, embedded objects, or advanced formatting sometimes lose details in conversion. If conversion is a problem, you can keep the Google Docs files in Google Drive and move only other file types to Dropbox.

Handling shared files and permissions

Sharing settings and permissions do not transfer when you move files. If a file was shared with specific people in Google Drive, those people will not automatically have access to it in Dropbox. You will need to reshare the file in Dropbox and set permissions again. Open the file in Dropbox, click "Share," enter the email addresses of the people who should have access, and choose their permission level (view, comment, or edit).

If you are moving files that many people have access to, consider whether you want to keep a copy in Google Drive for those who expect to find it there. You can also send a message to the people who had access, letting them know the file has moved and providing a new Dropbox share link.

Storage limits and file size restrictions

Dropbox free accounts include 2 GB of storage. If you are moving files from Google Drive and your total file size exceeds 2 GB, you will run out of space. Check your Google Drive storage before starting the move—in Google Drive, click the storage meter in the left sidebar to see how much space your files use. If you need more storage, Dropbox offers paid plans starting at 2 TB per month.

Individual file uploads through the Dropbox web interface are limited to 20 GB. If you have files larger than 20 GB, use the Dropbox desktop app to upload them, which has no file size limit. The desktop app also uploads faster for large files because it uses your full internet connection rather than the web browser's upload speed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I move files from a shared Google Drive to Dropbox?

Shared drives and team drives do not work with Dropbox's direct import tool. You will need to read the files to your computer first, then upload them to Dropbox. If you have access to the shared drive, you can read files individually or in folders, then upload them to Dropbox using the manual method.

Will the files stay in Google Drive after I move them to Dropbox?

If you use the direct connection method, files stay in Google Drive and copies appear in Dropbox. If you read and upload manually, the original files remain in Google Drive unless you delete them. You can delete the Google Drive versions after confirming the files arrived in Dropbox.

What if I have thousands of files to move?

For very large numbers of files, the direct connection method (Method 1) is fastest because Dropbox handles the transfer in the background. Manual read and upload would take much longer. The direct connection can take days to complete depending on file count and your internet speed, but you do not need to do anything while it runs.

Do I need to convert Google Docs to Word before moving them?

No, the conversion happens automatically during the move. When you read a Google Doc, you choose the format (Word, PDF, etc.) at read time. When you use the direct connection or import tool, Dropbox converts Google Docs to Word format automatically.

Can I move files back from Dropbox to Google Drive?

Yes, you can read files from Dropbox and upload them to Google Drive the same way you moved them the first time. Google Drive will recognize Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files and can open them natively, though you can also convert them back to Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides format after uploading.

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