After graduation you will lose access to Northwestern University Google Workspace account. In preparation for this change in access, please move your content from the NU Google Workspace into your own separate personal account or local computer. Navigate to Google Takeout, make sure all desired data options are selected, and export the files using one of Google’s recommended methods. Alternatively, you can transfer data from your Google Drive to another Google Drive using this link and following the instructions: https://takeout.google.com/transfer.
How do I transfer my files from Google Drive and Photos?
Here are the steps to transfer your Google Drive and Google Photos from one Google account to another using Google Takeout:
Note: Open a private/incognito browser then log into your @u.northwestern.edu account before attempting to access the Takeout tool. You will not be able to access the Takeout tool through a private Gmail account.
Google Takeout Directions:
- Go to Google Takeout: Visit Google Takeout.
- Select Data to Include: Click “Deselect all” and then scroll down to check all content you wish to move.
- Choose Export Settings: Click “Next step”.
- Select Delivery Method: Choose how you want to receive your data (e.g., via email link, add to Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, or Box).
- Create Export: Click “Create export”. This may take some time depending on the amount of data.
- Download Data: Once the export is ready, download the file from the link provided.
- Upload to New Account: Log in to your new Google account and upload the downloaded files to Google Drive.
For Google Photos using Partner Sharing:
To move your photos/videos to a different, your personal Google account, share your photo library with that account using Partner Sharing.
Note: Unfortunately, your photo album structures will not be transferred. You will have to manually recreate and sort each album in your personal Photos account afterward.
- Go to Google Photos.
- Click the gear icon in the top right.
- Click Partner Sharing.
- Select All photos under "Choose photos to include," and click Next.
- Enter your personal Google account’s email address in the field provided and click Next. (You can only transfer to another Google account.)
- Confirm everything looks correct and click Send invitation.
- Open an incognito window and log into your Northwestern Gmail account using a private incognito browser
- Go to Google Photos with your personal account. It may take a few minutes to register the invitation.
- Click the gear icon in the top right.
- Click the drop-down arrow beside Partner Sharing.
- Click Pending invitation under "Photos from [NU account]."
- Click Accept. (You may be asked to "Share back with [NU account]" - if so, click Not now.)
- You will be taken to an album with all of your photos/videos from your U-M Google account. Click Turn on auto save in the top left corner.
- Select Save all photos under "Choose what to auto-save," and click Done. (The top left corner should now say "Saving automatically.")
-
Depending on how many photos and videos you currently have in your NU Google Photos library, it may take a while for Google to auto-save your photos/videos to your personal account (especially videos). To be safe, we recommend waiting at least 24 hours, maybe more, before disconnecting Partner Sharing and deleting your photos/videos from NU Google.
To disconnect Partner Sharing after Google has automatically saved all of your NU Google account photos/videos:
- Go to Google Photos with your personal account.
- Click the gear icon in the top right.
- Click the drop-down arrow beside Partner Sharing.
- Click Remove partner and then click Remove.
- Repeat these steps to disconnect Partner Sharing from your NU account, too.
-
If all of the photos/videos that you saved to your personal account from your NU account are still there after removing Partner Sharing, you should be safe to delete them from your NU account.
Important: There is a known bug with transferring Google Photos using Partner Sharing. After completing the steps, you'll notice that your photos do not take up storage space within your personal Google account. This is the bug, and Google is aware of it. There is currently no ETA on when it will be addressed and fixed by Google. Please be aware that Google could fix this bug at any time, which could cause you to exceed your storage limit in your personal Google account.
You can also download all the files in your drive to an external media drive. Go to your browser settings to change your file download location to an external media drive, select all your files in your drive, and select “download.”
These steps should help you transfer your data smoothly. If you have any questions or run into issues, feel free to ask.
Accessing your account
To access your Google Workspace email account, you can log in with your username and your Google Workspace account password at http://www.gmail.com. Your username is your full email address (e.g. WillieWildcat2020@u.northwestern.edu), not an account nickname.
If you have a @u.northwestern.edu account and forgot your password, please call the NU Service Desk at 847-491-4357 (1-HELP).
For any other accounts (e.g. @alum.northwestern.edu), you can use your security questions to reset your password by going to https://our.northwestern.edu/ascendportal/s/login/ForgotPassword.
Contact the NUIT Support Center or call 847-491-4357 (1-HELP) with other account questions before NetID expiration.
Transitioning Organizational G Suite Accounts
If you are the owner of an @u.northwestern.edu organizational account for a student group, you can transfer account ownership before leaving the University by emailing servicedesk@northwestern.edu.
Activate an alumni email account
After NetID expiration, whom do I contact for support?
For questions and support before your NetID deactivates, contact the Northwestern IT Support Center at 847-491-4357 (1-HELP) or
servicedesk@northwestern.edu.
For general assistance and 24/7 troubleshooting issues for your G Suite account, visit the
Google Apps Help Center.