How to Switch from Google Drive to Nextcloud

Introduction

This guide will help you switch from Google Drive to Nextcloud, an open-source, self-hosted cloud storage and collaboration platform. Nextcloud gives you full control over your data while providing features comparable to Google Drive.

Why switch?

• Google Drive files are not end-to-end encrypted
• Google can scan your documents for advertising purposes
• Data stored on US servers subject to US jurisdiction
• Privacy concerns with Google’s business model

Why Nextcloud?

• EU-based hosting providers available
• Open source and self-hostable
• Full control over your data
• End-to-end encryption available
• Office suite included (Nextcloud Office)
• GDPR compliant

Prerequisites

• Active Google Drive account
• Nextcloud account (self-hosted or with a provider)
• Nextcloud desktop sync client
• About 45 minutes of time
• Sufficient storage space on your Nextcloud instance

Info: You can either self-host Nextcloud or use a managed provider like Hetzner, Ionos, or other EU-based hosts.

Step 1: Choose your Nextcloud setup

Option A: Use a Nextcloud provider (Recommended for most users)

1. Visit Nextcloud providers for a list of hosting options
2. Choose an EU-based provider for GDPR compliance
3. Sign up and create your account
4. Note your Nextcloud URL (e.g., your-name.nextcloud-provider.eu)

Option B: Self-host Nextcloud

1. Rent a VPS from an EU provider (Hetzner, OVH, Scaleway)
2. Install Nextcloud using Snap or Docker
3. Configure SSL certificates
4. Set up your admin account

Tip: For beginners, a managed provider is much simpler than self-hosting.

Step 2: Download Google Drive data using Google Takeout

1. Go to Google Takeout
2. Click “Deselect all”
3. Select only “Drive”
4. Click “All Drive data included” to choose specific folders if needed
5. Click “Next step”
6. Choose file size (2GB is usually good)
7. Select “Export once”
8. Click “Create export”
9. Wait for the email and download all archive files

Warning: Large Google Drive accounts may take hours to export and result in multiple archive files.

Step 3: Install the Nextcloud desktop client

1. Download the Nextcloud client from nextcloud.com/install
2. Install and launch the application
3. Enter your Nextcloud server URL
4. Log in with your credentials
5. Choose which folders to sync
6. Select local sync folder location

Step 4: Upload your Google Drive files to Nextcloud

Option A: Via desktop client (Recommended)

1. Extract downloaded Google Takeout archives
2. Move extracted files to your local Nextcloud sync folder
3. Wait for synchronization to complete
4. Verify files appear in Nextcloud web interface

Option B: Via web interface

1. Log into your Nextcloud web interface
2. Create folders to organize your files
3. Use the upload button (+ icon) to upload files
4. For large uploads, use the desktop client instead

Tip: Upload in batches and verify each batch before continuing.

Step 5: Migrate Google Docs format files

Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides files need conversion:

1. In Google Drive, select Google Docs files
2. Right-click and download (they auto-convert to Microsoft format)
3. Upload converted files to Nextcloud
4. Use Nextcloud Office to edit them

Info: Install Collabora Online or OnlyOffice in Nextcloud for full office suite functionality.

Step 6: Set up sharing and collaboration

1. Right-click files or folders in Nextcloud
2. Click “Share”
3. Create share links or invite specific users
4. Set permissions (view, edit, upload)
5. Set expiration dates for security

Tips & Gotchas

Warning: Google Docs format (.gdoc, .gsheet, .gslides) are just links - you need to download them to get actual files.

• Storage limits: Check your Nextcloud storage quota before starting
• File naming: Some special characters in filenames may cause issues
• Shared files: Shared files need to be re-shared with new links
• Google Forms: Cannot be migrated - recreate using Nextcloud Forms app
• Mobile apps: Install Nextcloud apps for iOS/Android
• End-to-end encryption: Enable in settings for sensitive folders

What’s Next?

After completing this guide:

1. Install mobile apps: Sync photos and files from your phone
2. Set up auto-upload: Automatically back up camera photos
3. Explore apps: Calendar, Contacts, Notes, Tasks, and more
4. Enable 2FA: Add two-factor authentication for security
5. Disable Google Drive sync: Once everything is migrated

Related Guides

• Google Drive to Tresorit - Zero-knowledge encrypted alternative
• Gmail to ProtonMail - Continue your de-Googling journey
• Dropbox to Nextcloud - Similar migration process