Introduction
Dropbox to Google Drive Migration
Cloudiway provides enterprise-grade migration from Dropbox Business to Google Drive, including Shared Drives, with complete preservation of permissions and metadata.
Many organizations are transitioning from Dropbox to Google Workspace to consolidate their productivity suite. A critical part of this transition is migrating files from Dropbox to Google Drive while preserving folder structures, permissions, and file history. Our Dropbox migration solution handles all these requirements seamlessly.
This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the Dropbox to Google Drive migration process, covering both manual approaches and automated solutions using Cloudiway's File Migration Tool. For detailed step-by-step instructions, refer to our admin guides.
Why Migrate to Google Drive
Organizations choose to migrate from Dropbox to Google Drive for several reasons. Similar motivations drive Box migration and OneDrive migration projects:
Google Workspace Integration
Native integration with Gmail, Calendar, Meet, and other Google services.
Real-time Collaboration
Real-time co-editing in Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides.
Shared Drives
Team-owned storage that doesn't depend on individual users.
Cost Efficiency
Bundled storage with Google Workspace licensing.
Migration Preparation
Before starting your migration, complete these preparation steps. For migrations to Google Workspace, you may also need Gmail migration and Google Shared Drives migration capabilities:
Prerequisites Checklist
- Provision Google Accounts: Create Google Workspace accounts for all users. Ensure Drive is enabled for each user.
- Create Shared Drives: Set up Google Shared Drives to receive content from Dropbox Team Folders.
- Verify Admin Access: Ensure you have Dropbox Admin and Google Super Admin permissions.
- Assess Storage: Calculate total data volume and ensure Google storage quotas can accommodate it.
Migration Methods
There are several approaches to migrate from Dropbox to Google Drive. Cloudiway also supports migrations to Microsoft 365 via Google Drive migration and SharePoint migration:
Cloudiway
Enterprise-grade automated migration
- Preserves all permissions
- Team Folder to Shared Drive
- Paper to Docs conversion
- Delta sync for zero downtime
Third-Party Sync Apps
Basic sync tools
- Limited feature set
- May not preserve metadata
- Permission loss risk
- No enterprise support
Download/Upload
Traditional manual approach
- Time-consuming
- No permission transfer
- Not scalable
- Error-prone
Cloudiway Solution
Cloudiway provides an automated solution for migrating Dropbox to Google Drive. Our platform also handles mailbox migration, Slack migration, and Google Chat migration from a unified interface:
Connect Dropbox
Authorize Cloudiway to access your Dropbox Business account using OAuth. Admin consent grants access to all team folders and user files.
Connect Google Workspace
Authorize access to your Google Workspace domain. Super Admin consent enables writing to all user drives and Shared Drives.
Map Users & Folders
Match Dropbox team members to Google Workspace users. Map Team Folders to Shared Drives or user drives.
Configure Options
Set permission handling rules, Paper conversion options, and conflict resolution preferences.
Execute Migration
Start migration and monitor progress. Use delta sync to capture changes until cutover.
Key Capabilities
Team Folder to Shared Drive migration, Dropbox Paper to Google Docs conversion, intelligent user mapping, and complete permission preservation.
What Gets Migrated
Cloudiway ensures complete migration of your Dropbox content. For comprehensive Google Workspace migrations, also consider Google Workspace to Google Workspace migration and Google Sites migration:
Personal Files
- All My Files content
- Folder structure preserved
- Version history
- File dates preserved
Team Folders
- Shared team content
- Team membership mapped
- Permissions preserved
- To Shared Drives
Dropbox Paper
- Converted to Google Docs
- Formatting preserved
- Comments migrated
- Links preserved
Sharing & Metadata
- User access mapped
- Shared links handled
- Tags and descriptions
- Stars preserved
Best Practices
Follow these recommendations for a successful migration. Read our case studies to learn from other organizations' migration experiences:
Inventory Before Migration
Document all Team Folders, their owners, and active users. Identify critical content that requires priority migration.
Clean Up Dropbox
Have users delete unnecessary files and remove stale Team Folders to reduce migration time and Google storage costs.
Plan User Training
Prepare training materials on Google Drive before migration. Focus on differences from Dropbox workflows.
Test with Pilot Group
Migrate a small group first to validate settings and identify issues before full deployment.
Use Delta Sync
Run initial migration, then use delta sync to capture changes until final cutover for minimal disruption.
Verify Critical Files
After migration, have users verify important documents for data integrity and formatting.
Ready to Migrate Dropbox to Google Drive?
Contact our migration experts for a seamless Dropbox to Google Drive migration with zero data loss. Check our pricing or request consulting services for enterprise projects. Our platform is ISO 27001 certified.
For organizations moving to Microsoft 365 instead of Google Workspace, Cloudiway supports Google Workspace to Microsoft 365 migration, Exchange migration, and Microsoft 365 tenant-to-tenant migration.
Cloudiway also handles collaboration tool migrations including Slack to Teams migration, Slack to Google Chat migration, and Google Groups migration. For archive data, explore Google Vault migration and Microsoft 365 archive migration.
Need coexistence during migration? Cloudiway provides GALSync for address book synchronization, Calendar Free/Busy sharing, and Mail Routing to ensure seamless communication between platforms during the transition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I migrate Dropbox Team Folders to Google Shared Drives?
Yes, Cloudiway fully supports migrating Dropbox Team Folders to Google Shared Drives (formerly Team Drives). The folder structure, permissions, and metadata are preserved during migration, with Dropbox team members automatically mapped to Google Workspace users.
Are Dropbox file permissions preserved when migrating to Google Drive?
Yes, Cloudiway preserves sharing permissions during migration. Files shared with specific users are mapped to corresponding Google Workspace users. Folder-level and file-level permissions are translated to Google Drive's permission model.
How long does a Dropbox to Google Drive migration take?
Migration time depends on data volume and file count. Cloudiway processes multiple files in parallel for optimal speed. A typical migration of 500GB can complete in 24-48 hours. Progress can be monitored in real-time through the dashboard.
What happens to Dropbox Paper documents during migration?
Dropbox Paper documents can be exported and converted to Google Docs format during migration. Cloudiway handles the conversion while preserving formatting and content. Some advanced Paper features may require manual adjustment after migration.
Can I migrate from personal Dropbox to Google Workspace?
Yes, Cloudiway supports migrating from both Dropbox Business and personal Dropbox accounts to Google Drive. For personal accounts, you authorize access individually. For business accounts, admin consent enables migration of all users.
