The fastest way to move files between Google Drive and Dropbox

You can move files from Google Drive to Dropbox in three ways: read them to your computer and upload them to Dropbox, use Dropbox's built-in Google Drive import tool, or connect the two services through a third-party automation app. The method that works best depends on how many files you have, whether they're organized in folders, and whether you want to keep them in Google Drive afterward.

For most people with under 100 files, downloading and uploading takes 15 to 30 minutes and gives you the most control. If you have thousands of files or complex folder structures, Dropbox's native import tool or an automation app like Zapier saves time but requires you to set it up once and then let it run.

Key Takeaways

  • Dropbox has a built-in tool to import Google Drive files directly without downloading to your computer first, found under Account Settings > Connected apps.
  • The read-and-upload method works for any file size but requires you to manually organize folders on your computer before uploading to Dropbox.
  • Third-party automation apps like Zapier or Make can move files on a schedule or when certain conditions are met, but they charge monthly fees after a free trial.
  • Files larger than 5 GB may hit upload limits on Dropbox's free plan, so check your storage before starting a large transfer.
  • Google Drive shared folders and permissions do not transfer automatically — you will need to reshare files or folders in Dropbox if others need access.

Using Dropbox's Google Drive import feature

Dropbox offers a direct import tool that pulls files from your Google Drive without requiring you to read them first. Sign into your Dropbox account on the web, go to Account Settings, select Connected apps, and look for Google Drive in the list. Click Connect, authorize Dropbox to access your Google Drive, and then choose which folders or files you want to import.

Once you confirm the import, Dropbox copies the files into a new folder called Google Drive in your Dropbox account. The original files stay in Google Drive — this is a copy, not a move. The import can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours depending on file size and your internet speed. You can check the progress by going back to Connected apps and looking at the status next to Google Drive.

This method works well if you want to keep your Google Drive files intact while also having them in Dropbox. If you want to remove them from Google Drive after the import finishes, you will need to delete them manually from Google Drive once you confirm the copies arrived in Dropbox.

Downloading and uploading files manually

If you prefer to control exactly which files move and where they land, read them from Google Drive to your computer and then upload them to Dropbox. Open Google Drive, select the files or folders you want to move, right-click, and choose read. Google Drive will compress multiple files into a single .zip file; single files read as-is.

Save the files to a folder on your computer, then open Dropbox in your web browser or desktop app. Navigate to the folder where you want the files to go, click Upload files or Upload folder, and select what you downloaded. For large uploads (over 2 GB), the Dropbox desktop app is faster and more reliable than the web browser because it can resume if your connection drops.

This method gives you the chance to organize files before they land in Dropbox — you can rename them, delete duplicates, or split them into different folders. The downside is that it takes longer for large libraries and requires you to have enough free space on your computer to hold the files temporarily.

Using automation apps to move files on a schedule

Apps like Zapier, Make (formerly Integromat), and IFTTT can watch your Google Drive folder and automatically move new files to Dropbox when certain conditions are met. For example, you could set up a rule that moves any file with "invoice" in the name, or any file added after a certain date, or any file larger than a specific size.

To set this up, sign into Zapier or Make with your Google and Dropbox accounts, create a new automation (called a "Zap" in Zapier or a "Scenario" in Make), and choose Google Drive as the trigger. Select what action you want to watch for — new files, files in a specific folder, files matching a search term. Then set Dropbox as the action and choose whether to copy or move the files.

Zapier and Make both offer free trials with limited monthly tasks; after that, plans start around $20 to $30 per month. These tools are worth the cost if you regularly move files between services, but for a one-time transfer of existing files, the read-and-upload or Dropbox import methods are cheaper.

What happens to file permissions and sharing

When you move files from Google Drive to Dropbox, the sharing settings do not move with them. 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 send new links or invitations to anyone who needs access.

If you use the Dropbox import tool, you can set the imported files to be shared with the same people by adjusting permissions in Dropbox after the import finishes. If you read and upload manually, you have full control over who can see each file from the start. Comments, version history, and edit suggestions from Google Drive do not transfer — only the file itself moves.

Storage limits and file size restrictions

Dropbox's free plan includes 2 GB of storage. If your Google Drive files total more than that, you will need to either delete files from Dropbox to make room, upgrade to a paid plan, or move files in batches. Dropbox's paid plans start at 2 TB (2,000 GB) for $11.99 per month or $119.99 per year.

Individual files can be up to 2 GB on the free plan and up to 20 GB on paid plans. If you have files larger than these limits, you will need to split them or compress them before uploading. Google Drive files that are stored in Google's native formats (Google Docs, Sheets, Slides) must be downloaded as Microsoft Office or PDF files first — Dropbox cannot import them in their original Google format.

Troubleshooting common transfer problems

If the Dropbox import tool shows an error, the most common cause is that your Google account does not have permission to access all the files in your Drive. Shared folders you can view but cannot edit may not import. Try importing just your own files first, then handle shared folders separately by downloading them and uploading them manually.

If an upload stalls or fails, check your internet connection and try again. For very large uploads, use the Dropbox desktop app instead of the web browser — it handles interruptions better. If you see a message about running out of storage, you will need to either delete files from Dropbox or upgrade your plan before continuing.

Files that fail to upload sometimes appear as incomplete or corrupted in Dropbox. Delete the incomplete version and try uploading again. If a specific file keeps failing, try downloading it from Google Drive again — the original file may be damaged or in a format Dropbox cannot process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I move files without keeping them in Google Drive?

Yes, but you have to do it in two steps. Use any of the three methods above to copy the files to Dropbox, then go back to Google Drive and delete the originals. The Dropbox import tool and automation apps only copy files, so deletion is always manual.

Will my folder structure stay the same when I move files?

Only if you use the Dropbox import tool or an automation app — both preserve folder organization. If you read and upload manually, you control the folder structure, so you can reorganize as you go. This is actually useful if your Google Drive folders are messy and you want to clean them up during the move.

How long does it take to move thousands of files?

The Dropbox import tool can take several hours for large libraries. Downloading and uploading manually depends on your internet speed and computer storage — expect a few hours for 10,000 files. Automation apps run in the background and can take days to process everything if you set them to move files gradually to avoid overwhelming your Dropbox account.

What if I only want to move certain files, not my entire Google Drive?

The Dropbox import tool lets you select specific folders before importing. If you read manually, you choose exactly which files to move. Automation apps can filter by file name, size, date, or folder location, so you can move only files matching your criteria.

Do I need to pay for Dropbox to import from Google Drive?

No. The import tool works on Dropbox's free plan, though you are limited by the 2 GB storage cap. If your files exceed that, you will need to upgrade or delete other files to make room. The read-and-upload method also works on the free plan with the same storage limitation.