It's not wrong to say that most of our digital life is scattered across Google. The thought that Google knows too much about you may have crossed your mind sometimes.
Worry not, as Google Takeout makes taking control and downloading all your data very easy. It's a free service by Google that can also be considered a digital vault where all your Google data is saved. This includes emails, photos, documents, contacts, etc.
Continue with this guide to learn more about Google Takeout and how you can download your data using it.
How to download your Google data using Takeout?
Navigate to the Google Takeout login page and enter your credentials.
Once you are in Google Takeout, select the data to include. Here, you can choose what data you want to download. Once done, click on Next Step.
You will now be asked to choose the file type, frequency, and destination. Here's a breakdown of all available options:
Destination
Send download link via email: Selecting this option will send you an email with a link to download your Google data archive. Once the email arrives, click on Download Archive, and all your Google data will start downloading.
Add to Drive: This will add the archive to Google Drive and send you an email with its location. The saved data will be counted in your Google storage.
Once the email arrives, click on View in Drive, and a folder will open with all your data. To download it, click on the download icon at the top right.
Add to Dropbox: This will upload the archive file to your Dropbox account and send you an email with its location. However, if you have enrolled for the advanced protection program, your arch may get scheduled for two days.
Add to Microsoft Drive: Selecting this option will upload the archive file with your Google data to Microsoft OneDrive. You will further be asked to link both accounts and create an export.
Once done, an email will be sent with a link to access your data. Click on the link to access your data. Here, find the download button and click on it to download your data.
Add to Box: This will upload your archive file to Box and send you an email with a link to access it. You will also be asked to link both accounts and create an export.
Once the email arrives, click the link to access the archive. To download the file, search the download button and click on it.
Export type
One-time archive: Selecting this option will create a single archive of your selected data.
Scheduled exports: This will create an archive of the selected data every two months for one year automatically. The first archive will be created immediately after selection. However scheduled exports are not available for people enrolled in the advanced protection program.
File type
Zip files: This file type can be opened on any computer file.
Tgz files: The Tgz file type is mainly used by Linux and UNIX users. If downloading this file on Windows, additional software may be required to access it.
File size
Lastly, choose the file size for your archive file. If the data being downloaded exceeds the file size, multiple archive files will be created.
Once you’ve selected these options as per your requirement, click on Create Export, and Google will start creating an archive file. You'll receive an email once done, as this may take a while, possibly hours or days, to complete.
Now that you've received the email click the link within and download your Google Data using Takeout.
Does Google Takeout download everything?
Google Takeout downloads almost all of your Google data. However, there are some things that it can't download. Here's a list of Google Data you can't download using Takeout:
What Takeout Can Download:
- Gmail messages and attachments
- Google Drive files including Docs, sheets, slides, etc.
- Google Photos data, i.e., Photos and Videos
- Google Voice call history, messages and voicemails
- Preferences, Starred and personal places in Maps
- Purchase and reservation history
- Calendar data in iCalendar format
- YouTube and YouTube music playlists, along with watching history
- Chrome bookmarks
What it can't download:
- App data of downloaded Google apps may not be included.
- Real-time data or dynamic information like current search history or opened tabs
- Settings and configurations within Google products and apps
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