How to Export Data From a Google Account With Google Takeout

Quick and easy-to-follow guide for Google Workspace users and admins

If you are a Google Workspace admin, see these recommended backup solutions, which are awesome at backing up data – they can even do it automatically.

What is Google Takeout

Google Takeout is a simple service that allows anyone with a Google account to export their account data from Google services
Google Workspace administrators can prevent users from following the steps below by turning off the Google Takeout service, as shown here.

When to use Google Takeout

Anytime you need to export all your data at once
When you want to export data from services that don’t offer a built-in bulk export option, such as Gmail and Google Drive

How to download your Google account data using Google Takeout step-by-step with images

Step 1

Select Google services to export data from

Go to Google Takeout https://takeout.google.com/settings/takeout.

Under Products, select all the services from which you want to export data.

If you only want to export from a few of them, it’s best to click Deselect all and then manually enable the ones you want.

Step 2

At the bottom of the products list, click Next step.

Step 3

Choose the file type, frequency, and destination

Your data will be made available as an archive file.

First, choose the delivery method. We usually go with receiving a download link by email. With this option, you will receive an email when your data is ready for download.

The Frequency setting lets you choose if you want to do a single export or repeat this automatically.

File type – .zip is most common.

Make sure the size is enough to fit your data. Zip files over 2GB get compressed in zip64. Some older systems may not be able to open this format. In such a case, look for software that can decompress zip64 files.

Finally, click Create export.

Step 4

Your export is in progress. Preparing it may take some time, even up to a few days if you have lots of data to download. You get notified when the link to download your data is ready.

You can also click Cancel export to cancel or Create another export in the meantime.

Step 5

If you go to the Google Takeout https://takeout.google.com/settings/takeout home page, you will see that the export is in progress. You can click Manage exports to view all your exports.