Switch from iCloud to Google Drive – Things You Need to Know and How to Transfer Files

iCloud and Google Drive are two major cloud service platforms that almost everyone with cloud technology has heard about. Both of them dominate different user segments and have their own pros and cons. If you’re looking to switch from iCloud to Google Drive, here are certain things you need to know:

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Your requirement

Cloud services are beneficial to not only individuals but also businesses. Before you migrate from one cloud account to another, it’s important to decide why you want to transfer your data. In addition to this, you’ll also need to determine your storage space requirement. You’ll need to review different storage plans offered by the company and check whether the freeware plans are sufficient for your needs.

Disaster Recovery

Cloud services offer an additional layer of protection in case your original data is lost, damaged or accidentally deleted. A device can malfunction anytime. Therefore, it’s absolutely critical to take regular data backups to protect your vital information.

Sharing & Collaboration

Cloud storage enables sharing your documents with your colleagues in real-time. Choosing the correct cloud service is important to make your documents accessible. Instead of attaching your documents via email, you can allow your colleagues to view or modify files in real-time. They can add annotations, comments and even make a copy of your document. Check whether your cloud service provider offers collaboration features or not.

Data Security & Encryption

Data security and encryption is another important parameter that you must consider before switching to another cloud service platform. This is because some freeware cloud services store your data unencrypted, making it easy for cybercriminals to gain unauthorized access. If you’re concerned about your privacy and security, you must choose a cloud service that offers industry-standard file encryption.

Data Centre Location- Speed, Quality & Sovereignty

Before you switch to a new cloud service provider, you could try asking them about the location of their data centres. The location is important primarily because of two reasons. If the data center is located far away from your location, it could affect the speed and quality of your data transmission. You could experience frequent slow downs or laggy responses from the server. The downloads & uploads may become a bit slower. Another important factor is local laws. Data sovereignty, local laws and regulations come into play when your data is stored outside of your host nation. The local laws considerably affect the way your data is handled.

Transferring Data from iCloud to Google Drive

Let’s back to the process to transfer your data from iCloud to Google Drive. The process is fairly simple.

Step 1: Download your files from iCloud

1. Visit the iCloud website.
2. Select iCloud Drive.
3. Sign in to your account using your authentication.
4. Drag your cursor across the files you want to download. Or use the ⌘ + A keyboard shortcut to auto-select all files.
5. Click the Download icon at the top.

Step 2: Scan your files for duplicates

Before we upload your data on Google Drive, it’s important to search it for duplicates. Cleaning duplicates will help you save your bandwidth and upload time. Deleting duplicates will make room for newer files. Searching files may become easy and quick. If you’re regularly deleting duplicates, you may less likely run into low storage issues and perhaps may not even need to pay more money to upgrade your account. In addition to this, it offers many other benefits. Although duplicates are inevitable, you can fix them on an occasional basis and re-organize your library.

1. Download and install Clone Files Checker on your Mac.
2. Click the Add button.
3. Select a directory that contains your downloaded files.
4. Repeat the Steps # 2-4 to add other directories that you want to scan for duplicates.
5. Clone Files Checker will ask you to select one of the following scan types:
   • All Files: Use this option to scan all files irrespective of their types. Although your scan may take some time, you can expect it to free-up maximum storage space.
   • Custom: Use this option if you like to scan a specific portion of file types. For example: You can scan only documents, images, videos, music, or archives. It narrows down your scan, thus takes a shorter span of time. One drawback of this method is you’ll find fewer duplicates.
6. Use the file size filters to ignore files larger than or smaller than a size.
7. Click on Start Search. CFC will begin scanning your files.
8. Once the scan is finished, a list of all duplicate files will appear.
9. Go through the list yourself, use the checkboxes to mark or unmark files. By marking files, you choose them for processing. The program will retain unmarked files as they are.
10. Last but not the least, click on Select Action and choose whether you want to move all marked files to the Trash or a new folder. Moving your files to another folder will enable you to review them later.

Step 3: Upload your files on Google Drive

Once you’ve finished searching for duplicates, it’s safe to upload your files.

1. Visit the Google Drive website.
2. Click on the new icon on the upper left corner of your screen.
3. Select “File upload” to upload individual files or “Folder upload” to upload folders.
4. Select your files and folders to upload. The upload shall begin instantly.