How to Transfer Ownership of a Google Drive Folder

Transferring ownership of folders in Google Drive is easy, but it may not be immediately intuitive, especially if you want to transfer ownership to a new user. Let’s explore how to transfer ownership of a Google Drive folder and discuss best practices to ensure the security of your folders, documents, and information during the transfer.

Transferring Ownership of a Google Drive Folder

1. Access your Google Drive.
2. Locate the folder you want to transfer ownership of.
3. Click on the three dots next to the folder and select “Share.”
   
4. Add the person you want to transfer ownership to.
5. The person you are transferring the folder to must already be an editor. If they aren’t, you’ll need to assign them the editor role.
   
6. Once the person is an editor, click “Share.” Since they will receive an email when they become the owner, you can uncheck “Notify people” during their initial assignment as an editor to avoid cluttering their inbox.
   
7. Reopen the “Share” menu.
8. Now that they are editors, there is a “Transfer Ownership” option in the dropdown menu.
   
9. A module will appear asking if you’re sure.
   
10. If the specified criteria are met, select “Yes” and “Done.”

This process is the same if you want to transfer ownership of a single file, whether it’s in Docs, Sheets, or Slides.

Transferring Ownership of Multiple Folders and Files in Google Drive

If you want to transfer ownership of multiple documents or folders, you’ll need to take a different approach. Even after transferring ownership of a folder, you still remain the owner of the subfolders and documents it contains. If you want the new owner to have everything within the main folder, here’s how you can quickly transfer its contents:

1. Open the folder you just transferred ownership of.
2. Hold the Shift key and select the subfolders and documents you want to transfer ownership of. They will turn blue once selected.
3. Click the “Share” button at the top of your screen.
   
4. The new owner will already be an editor of these folders and files since they own the main folder.
5. In the dropdown menu, there is already a “Transfer Ownership” option. Select that, and the module will ask if you’re sure.
6. Select “Yes” and “Done.”

Not only is this faster, but it ensures that the new owner doesn’t receive an influx of emails regarding their new status. Instead, they will receive a single email informing them that they are now the owner of a certain number of items.

Frequently Asked Questions about Transferring Folder Ownership

Q: What is the difference between an owner and an editor?
A: The owner ultimately has control over the folder. They can delete it and, depending on your organization’s settings, control who has access for editing and viewing. It is essential to understand who the recipient is and the reasons for transferring ownership to them.

Q: What happens after transferring ownership of a file or folder?
A: After transferring ownership to someone else, you will automatically be assigned as an editor. However, the new owner now controls the sharing permissions of the folder/file, so your access permissions may change based on their actions.

Q: Can I transfer the ownership of a file or folder to someone outside my organization?
A: Yes, it is possible to transfer ownership to someone outside of your organization. The process is the same, but you may see an additional warning module. However, it is possible for it to be restricted by your organization’s administrator for security reasons.

Note: While you can transfer ownership from a work or school account to a personal Google account, you cannot transfer ownership of a folder from your personal Google account to a work or school account.

Q: How can I transfer entire Drives from one account to another?
A: If you are an administrator in your organization and need to completely transfer someone’s existing Drive to another person, you can refer to Google’s official administrative process.

Interested in other guides on Google Workspace? Check out our blog archive. And if you’re interested in optimizing your team’s collaboration and organizing folder structures in Google Workspace and Salesforce, take a look at Drive Connect, our comprehensive solution for integrating these two workflows. Give it a try for free for 14 days – no credit card required.

Now that you know how to transfer ownership of a Google Drive folder, you can confidently manage and share your files with ease. Remember to follow best practices to ensure the security and privacy of your valuable information. For more Google Sheets tips and tricks, visit Crawlan.com.