Migrating from Google Drive to Nextcloud

Nextcloud is an open-source file hosting solution that gives you complete control over your data. Unlike Google Drive, which stores your files on Google's servers, Nextcloud can be self-hosted or used through EU-based providers, ensuring your data stays within European jurisdiction.

Why Switch to Nextcloud?

Google Drive offers convenience but at the cost of privacy. Here's why Nextcloud is a better alternative:

• Data sovereignty: Host your files on EU servers or your own hardware
• Complete privacy: No data mining or analysis of your content
• Flexible deployment: Choose between self-hosting or managed hosting
• Feature-rich: Calendar, contacts, office suite, and more built-in apps
• Open-source: Transparent code and development process

Before You Begin

Prerequisites

• An active Google Drive account
• A Nextcloud account (either self-hosted or through a provider)
• Stable internet connection
• Sufficient storage space on your Nextcloud account

What You'll Need

• A computer with a web browser
• Google Takeout (for bulk exports)
• Nextcloud desktop client (recommended)
• 1-2 hours of time (depending on the amount of data)

Step 1: Set Up Your Nextcloud Account

If you haven't already, you'll need to set up a Nextcloud account:

Option A: Choose a Nextcloud Provider

Several EU-based providers offer managed Nextcloud hosting:

1. Visit Nextcloud providers list
2. Select a provider based in the EU (e.g., Hetzner, OVHcloud, etc.)
3. Sign up for an account and note your login details

Option B: Self-Host Nextcloud

If you prefer to self-host (more technical):

1. Rent a server from an EU provider or use your own hardware
2. Follow the official Nextcloud installation guide
3. Set up your domain and SSL certificates

Step 2: Install the Nextcloud Desktop Client

For easier file management, install the Nextcloud desktop client:

1. Download the client from Nextcloud's website
2. Install the application on your computer
3. Open the client and connect to your Nextcloud server
4. Configure sync settings for your folders

Step 3: Export Your Google Drive Files

There are two methods to transfer your files, depending on how much data you have:

Method 1: Direct Download and Upload (Small Amount of Data)

For a few important files:

1. Open Google Drive in your browser
2. Select the files/folders you want to transfer
3. Click "Download" from the right-click menu
4. Once downloaded, open your Nextcloud web interface
5. Click the "+" icon and select "Upload file" or "Upload folder"
6. Select the downloaded files from your computer

Method 2: Google Takeout (Large Amount of Data)

For all your Google Drive data:

1. Go to Google Takeout
2. Deselect all services except "Drive"
3. Click "Next step"
4. Choose your delivery method (export frequency: "Export once")
5. Choose file type (ZIP recommended) and size (max 50GB recommended)
6. Click "Create export"
7. Wait for Google to prepare your export (you'll receive an email)
8. Download the export files once ready
9. Extract the ZIP files on your computer
10. Upload the extracted files to Nextcloud using the web interface or desktop client

Step 4: Organize Your Files in Nextcloud

After uploading your files to Nextcloud:

1. Log in to your Nextcloud web interface
2. Create folders to organize your content if needed
3. Move your uploaded files into the appropriate folders
4. Set sharing permissions for folders if collaborating with others

Step 5: Verify File Integrity

Ensure all your files transferred correctly:

1. Check that the number of files matches what you had in Google Drive
2. Open several random files to verify they work properly
3. Verify that special files (Google Docs, Sheets, etc.) were properly converted

Note: Google Docs, Sheets, and other Google-specific formats will be exported as Microsoft Office or OpenDocument formats. Some formatting may change during this conversion.

Step 6: Set Up Nextcloud Mobile App (Optional)

For mobile access to your files:

1. Download the Nextcloud app from Google Play Store or Apple App Store
2. Open the app and enter your server address
3. Log in with your Nextcloud credentials
4. Configure auto-upload for photos if desired

Step 7: Explore Nextcloud Features

Nextcloud offers many features beyond storage:

1. Check out the "Apps" section in your Nextcloud dashboard
2. Consider enabling:
   • Nextcloud Calendar for scheduling
   • Contacts for address book management
   • Collabora Online for document editing
   • Talk for secure messaging

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

• Upload failures: Try uploading in smaller batches or use the desktop client
• File size limits: Check your Nextcloud instance's maximum file size setting
• Sync issues: Ensure your desktop client has the latest version
• Conversion problems: Some Google-specific files may need manual attention

Getting Help

If you encounter issues:

• Visit the Nextcloud support forum
• Check the official documentation
• Contact your Nextcloud provider if using a hosted solution

Conclusion

Congratulations! You've successfully migrated from Google Drive to Nextcloud. You now have control over your data while still enjoying powerful file storage and sharing capabilities.

Remember to:

• Regularly back up your Nextcloud data
• Keep your Nextcloud instance updated for security
• Explore additional Nextcloud apps to replace other Google services

---

This guide was last updated on April 8, 2025. If you find outdated information, please let us know.