The fastest way to transfer a folder
To transfer ownership of a Google Drive folder to another person, right-click the folder, select Share, then click the three-dot menu icon in the top right of the sharing panel and choose Transfer ownership. Type the email address of the person who will become the new owner, then click Transfer. The new owner will receive a notification and the folder — including all files inside it — becomes theirs when ready.
This is different from straightforward sharing a folder. When you transfer ownership, you lose access unless the new owner shares it back with you. The new owner can delete the folder, change permissions, or move it anywhere in their Drive. Use this method only when you want someone else to have complete control.
The person receiving the folder must have a Google account. If they don't, they'll need to create one before you can complete the transfer.
Key Takeaways
- Transferring ownership removes your access entirely unless the new owner reshares the folder with you afterward.
- The new owner gains full control when ready — they can delete files, change sharing settings, or move the folder anywhere.
- You can only transfer to one person at a time; if multiple people need ownership, transfer to one person first, then they can share with others.
- Transfers work the same way on desktop, phone, and tablet as long as you're using the Google Drive app or website.
- The recipient must have a Google account; they'll see the transfer notification in their Drive and can accept or decline it.
When to transfer versus when to just share
Transferring ownership and sharing a folder are two different actions that solve different problems. Share the folder if you want someone to view, edit, or comment on files but you want to keep control. You stay the owner, you decide who can access it, and you can remove people's access anytime. Sharing is the right choice for team projects, client deliverables, or anything you might need to manage later.
Transfer ownership if you're leaving a job, handing off a project completely, or want someone else to manage the folder going forward. Once you transfer, you can't change permissions, add people, or delete the folder unless the new owner gives you access again. This is permanent unless you ask them to transfer it back.
Many people accidentally transfer when they meant to share. If this happens to you, contact the new owner and ask them to transfer the folder back to you, then use the Share button instead.
Step-by-step transfer on desktop
Open Google Drive in your web browser and locate the folder you want to transfer. Right-click on the folder name — a menu will appear with several options. Click Share near the top of the menu.
The sharing panel will open on the right side of your screen. In the top right corner of this panel, you'll see three vertical dots (the menu icon). Click it and select Transfer ownership from the dropdown. A dialog box will appear asking for the email address of the new owner.
Type the email address of the person who will receive the folder. Make sure the email is correct — you cannot undo a transfer to the wrong person without asking them to transfer it back. Click the Transfer button. A confirmation message will appear saying the transfer is complete. The new owner will receive a notification in their Google Drive.
Transferring on mobile (Android and iPhone)
Open the Google Drive app on your phone. Find the folder you want to transfer and tap the three-dot menu icon next to its name. Scroll down and tap Share.
In the sharing panel, tap the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner. Tap Transfer ownership. Enter the email address of the new owner and tap Transfer. The process is the same as desktop — the folder and all its contents move to the new owner's account when ready.
If you don't see the Transfer ownership option, make sure you're the original owner of the folder. Shared folders cannot be transferred by people who don't own them.
What happens after you transfer
Once the transfer completes, you no longer own the folder. You won't see it in your "My Drive" section anymore. The new owner can do anything with it — move it, rename it, delete it, or change who has access. If you need to work with the files inside, ask the new owner to share the folder back with you and give you the permission level you need (view, comment, or edit).
The new owner will see the folder appear in their Google Drive with a notification that they've received ownership of it. They can accept the transfer (which happens automatically) or, in some cases, decline it. If they decline, the folder returns to your ownership.
All files inside the folder transfer with it. Shared files that were already in the folder remain shared with the people who had access before the transfer. The new owner can change those sharing settings if they want.
Transferring a folder with shared files inside
If your folder contains files that are already shared with other people, those sharing permissions stay in place after the transfer. The new owner becomes the owner of those files too, but the people you shared them with keep their access. The new owner can change or remove those permissions if needed.
If you've shared the folder itself with a group of people, that sharing does not transfer. Only the folder ownership changes. The new owner will need to reshare the folder with anyone who needs access, or you can ask them to do so before you transfer.
This is one reason to think carefully before transferring — if many people rely on the folder, the new owner might not know who should have access. It's often better to share the folder with the new owner first, let them see what's inside and who has access, then transfer ownership once they're ready.
If the transfer fails or gets stuck
The most common reason a transfer fails is that the email address doesn't belong to an active Google account. Double-check the email and make sure the person has already created a Google account. If they haven't, ask them to set one up first.
If you see an error message, try refreshing the page and attempting the transfer again. If the error persists, sign out of Google Drive, sign back in, and try once more. Temporary connection issues sometimes cause transfers to appear stuck even though they completed.
If you transferred to the wrong person by mistake, contact them when ready and ask them to transfer the folder back to you. They'll see the folder in their Drive and can use the same Transfer ownership process to return it. Once it's back in your account, you can transfer it to the correct person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer a folder to multiple people at once?
No. You can only transfer ownership to one person at a time. If you need multiple people to own the folder, transfer it to one person first, then ask them to share it with the others. Alternatively, you can share the folder with multiple people and keep ownership yourself.
What if I transfer a folder and then change my mind?
Contact the new owner and ask them to transfer the folder back to you using the same process. They'll see the Transfer ownership option in the folder's menu. Once it's back in your account, you have full control again.
Do I need permission to transfer someone else's shared folder?
No. You can only transfer folders you own. If someone shared a folder with you but you don't own it, you won't see the Transfer ownership option. You can only share it with others or request that the original owner transfer it.
Will the new owner see the folder's history and comments?
Yes. All file history, comments, and version information transfer with the folder. The new owner can see everything that happened before the transfer, including who edited files and when.
Can I transfer a folder if I'm using a work or school Google account?
Yes, but your organization's administrator may have set restrictions on transfers. If you don't see the Transfer ownership option, contact your IT department — they may have disabled it for security reasons. You may need to use a different process or get approval before transferring.