Google Takeout creates a downloadable copy of selected data in your Google Account; it does not remove the data from Google. Sign in to the account, choose what to export and where to send it, set the archive format and size, then create the export. When it is ready, download it from the email link or selected destination and store it somewhere private.
How do I download my Google data?
- Open Google Takeout. Sign in to the Google Account that contains the data you want, then visit Google Takeout.
- Choose the data. Products with exportable data are selected automatically. Deselect anything you do not need. For some products, select All data included to choose subsets, then select Next step.
- Choose where the archive goes. You can receive an emailed download link or send the archive to Google Drive, Dropbox, Microsoft OneDrive, or Box. Cloud destinations require you to link and authorize that account. Check the destination folder’s sharing and privacy settings before using it.
- Set the export schedule and archive options. Choose a one-time export or, where available, a recurring export. Select ZIP or TGZ and a maximum archive size.
- Select Create export. Google prepares the archive and sends an email when it is ready, unless you chose a cloud destination. Follow the email link or open the destination to download the files.
Google recommends using a desktop computer to open and view an archive. Look for archive_browser.html inside it for information about file formats and viewing the exported data.
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Which delivery method and archive settings should you choose?
| Choice | What it does | Useful to know |
|---|---|---|
| Email download link | Provides a link so you can download the archive to your device. | A practical option for a local copy if your device has enough free space. |
| Google Drive | Saves the archive to Drive. | The archive uses Drive storage. Review who can access the destination folder. |
| Dropbox, OneDrive, or Box | Uploads the archive to the linked provider. | Check the destination account’s access, available capacity, file-size limits, and sharing settings. After upload, that provider’s terms and policies govern the copy. |
| ZIP | Packages the export as a ZIP archive. | Generally accessible with built-in archive tools on common systems. |
| TGZ | Packages the export as a TGZ archive. | May require additional software to open on Windows. |
| One-time export | Creates one archive. | It is a snapshot, not an ongoing backup or sync. |
| Scheduled export | Where available, creates an archive every two months for one year. | Google says scheduled exports are unavailable to accounts enrolled in Advanced Protection. Google also describes a Photos-only scheduling option for new and updated data. |
If the export is larger than the maximum archive size you selected, Takeout divides it into multiple files. Google suggests choosing the 50 GB setting to reduce the chance of splitting the export. This setting does not guarantee a single archive.
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Google says export creation can take from a few minutes to a few days, although most people receive the link the same day. Accounts enrolled in Advanced Protection may see an additional two-day delay. These are Google’s operational estimates in its Takeout help page, which does not display a publication date.
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The download link expires in about seven days, and Google says an archive can be downloaded five times. Download the files promptly and check that they open before relying on the archive as your saved copy.
What is—and is not—in a Takeout archive?
Takeout makes a copy of the data included in the export; it does not delete the original data from Google’s servers. The archive is a snapshot rather than a live sync. Google does not currently offer exports by date range, and changes made while an export is being prepared may not be included. Data still being deleted may also be omitted.
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The archive contains only the selected products and data that are available to export for your account. Product-specific details can affect how the files look when you open them:
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- Gmail: Google says exports can include message content, headers, attachments, labels for supported message categories, user-defined labels, IMAP keywords, and various settings. Encrypted messages remain encrypted. Message labels are preserved in an
X-Gmail-Labelsheader, which current mail clients do not recognize by default. See Google’s Gmail export guidance. - Google Photos: The export may include JSON sidecar files with metadata not stored in the original photo or video, such as comments. A downloaded file may receive a new timestamp from the operating system; the original timestamp remains in embedded metadata. Keep the accompanying metadata files if that context matters. See Google Photos’ guidance for copying photos and videos.
- Drive and related products: Export options and limits can vary by product. Google documents data exports for Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drawings, Sites, Drive, Forms, and Vids in its Drive export guidance.
Why can’t I download data from my work or school account?
An administrator can restrict downloads for a managed work or school account, and some product data may not be available for managed accounts. Exports can also fail when they exceed product limits. If Takeout does not offer the data you need, check with your organization’s administrator; administrators have separate export and migration tools.
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Why are YouTube videos missing?
If a channel is linked to a Brand Account, make sure you are signed in to the Google Account associated with that Brand Account and switch to it before exporting. Repeat for any other Brand Accounts that hold channels you want included.
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How should you keep the downloaded archive safe?
- Choose a private storage location with enough free space for every archive part. Google says downloading to a computer is easiest for most people; an external drive is an optional place to keep a local copy, not a Takeout requirement.
- Treat the archive as sensitive personal information. Anyone who can access the files may be able to view exported account data.
- If you send the archive to a non-Google provider, review its folder permissions and terms. Google notes that the provider’s terms and policies apply to files after upload; see Google’s third-party data-sharing guidance.
What to try if a Takeout export fails
- Try creating the export again.
- Select fewer products to make a smaller export.
- Choose a smaller maximum archive size if the export is failing because of archive limits, or a larger size if you want to reduce the number of split files.
- For managed accounts, ask the administrator whether downloads are restricted or whether product-specific limits apply.
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