Google Takeout offers you a way to export a copy of your Google account data to use as a backup or to use with a service outside of Google. 

Google data that can be exported:

  • Access log activity
  • Android device configuration
  • Calendar data
  • Chrome bookmarks, history, and other settings
  • Contacts
  • Drive files that you own
  • Google registration data and account activity
  • Google Pay activity
  • Google Photos
  • Documents stored in your Google Translator toolkit
  • Google Groups usage and data for groups that you own
  • Your Chat conversation history and attachments
  • Location History
  • Mail and attachments from your Gmail
  • Reminders, tasks, saved items from collections
  • YouTube search history, videos, comments, and other created content

For a complete list of all data, visit takeout.google.com.

Before Beginning the Export Process

Organize content that needs to be exported into a personal folder in your Drive. This will streamline the exporting process and make the transfer of content easier. 

Accessing Google Takeout

  1. From your Google dashboard at myaccount.google.com, click on the Data and privacy tab at the top of the page.



  2. Scroll down to Download or delete your data and click the right arrow next to Download your data.
    Download or Delete Your Data
  3. This will redirect you to the Google Takeout page (alternatively, you can navigate directly to this page by typing takeout.google.com into your browser.
    Navigation to takeout.google.com

Exporting Data

To Begin Exporting

  1. On the Google Takeout home page, the default setting has all your Google data selected, but you can pick and choose which data you want to export by first clicking Deselect all and then individually checking the data you want to export.
    Deselecting the default all setting for export.

  2. Select any data you want to export.
    Selecting Data for Export

  3. For some data, you can choose what format you want to export your data into by clicking Multiple formats, and choosing a file type.
    Choosing which data format to download specific files into.

  4. For Drive, you can select multiple file types depending on the Google file type used. Once you have made your file type selections, click OK.
    Changing to different file formats.

  5. To select specific folders in your Drive to export, click the All Drive data included button.
    clciking the All Drive Data Included Button to select specific folders from Drive to export.

  6. In the Drive content options menu, leaving the default option of Include all files and folders in Drive selected will ensure all of your Drive data is exported. To choose specific folders for export, deselect this option, then click the Deselect all button before choosing specific folders. Click OK.
    Selecting Folders for export from your Drive

  7. After selecting the specific data you want to export, and choosing your file formats, you will see a report of your options under the data you have included in your export.
    Report of Data Options that have been selected.

  8. After you have selected all the data you want to export (Drive, Photos, Mail, etc.), scroll to the bottom of the Takeout export page and click the Next Step button.
    Clicking the Next Step button to choose an export destination.

  9. Next, you will choose a file type and a destination for the export (you can also choose to schedule future exports of this data for regular backup purposes. To download a single export, leave the default option Export once selected).
    Choosing the file type for the export and the destination.

  10. Select the destination from the Transfer to drop-down menu:

    Send download link via email - Selecting this option will send a download link to your email and give you one week to download the files.
    Add to Drive - After a copy has been created, your export will be added to your Google Drive and you will be sent an email link to their location in Drive. You can then download this export directly from Drive to your device (These files count against your storage quota).
    Add to Dropbox, Add to OneDrive, Add to Box  - Choosing either of these options will allow Google to upload your export directly to your Dropbox, OneDrive, or Box and a link to their location will be sent to your email.
  11. Next, choose the file type and size of your export, zip files are the standard option, as they can be opened on most devices. Choosing the file size will break up any data into packets of that file size for easier download.
    Choosing the file type from the drop-down and selecting the maximum size for exports then clicking Create Export.

  12. After clicking the Create export button, your export will begin processing. You can leave this page, as this process may take hours or days.
    View the status of your export, cancel, or begin a new export.

Accessing your Export File

If you selected the option for a download link via email in the export process:

  1. Once your export is ready you will receive an email with a link for download that will allow you to download your export file directly to your device. Click the Download your files button.

    Downloading your export files.
  2. After clicking Download your files, you will be redirected to the Manage Exports page, and your download will start automatically. If it does not automatically start, click the Download button to begin your download. 
    See a list of all the exports that are available for download or deletion.

 If you selected the option to add to drive:

  1. Once your export is ready you will receive an email with a link to your data in Google Drive. You can download your export as an attachment in the email, or click View in Drive to view the file in the Drive location where it is stored
    Viewing your export file in your Google Drive. 

  2. The View in Drive option will open your Drive where you can download the export file. Click the download icon to download your export from Drive to your device.
    Locating and downloading the export in Google Drive.

After a Successful Export

Delete Drive Data

Remember to go back into your Drive and delete the original data that was exported to clear up space in your Google Drive.