---
title: "[Solved] Copy or Transfer Google Shared Drive Files and Folders"
description: "## *Looking for a way to Copy or Transfer Google Shared Drive Files and Folders*? — Here’s all you need to know… There are **no [Google APIs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_APIs)** that allow actions such as **copying** and **moving** files and folders **from MyDrive to Shared Drives** and from Shared Drive to another…"
url: "https://gatlabs.com/knowledge/tech-tips/solved-copy-or-transfer-google-shared-drive-files-and-folders/"
updated: "2023-01-30"
category: "Drive Audit & Management"
tags:
  - GAT Unlock
---

# [Solved] Copy or Transfer Google Shared Drive Files and Folders

## *Looking for a way to Copy or Transfer Google Shared Drive Files and Folders*? — Here’s all you need to know…

There are **no [Google APIs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_APIs)** that allow actions such as **copying** and **moving** files and folders **from MyDrive to Shared Drives** and from Shared Drive to another Shared Drive.

### **Actions NOT allowed on Shared Drives**

Due to this limitation from Google’s end, the below actions are **not allowed** on **Shared Drives**.

- **Change ownership** of Shared Drives – As the Shared Drives **don't have "owners**" - we can change Manager - Content Managers to them 
- **Copy files/folders** of Shared Drives – At the moment it is **not possible** to **copy Shared Drive files**

The above actions however are allowed for **MyDrive files – **see the ‘how-to’ examples below.

- [Copy files and folders from Internal and External users](https://gatlabs.com/knowledge/tech-tips/copy-files-or-folders-from-internal-or-external-users/)
- [Change ownership of Google file](https://gatlabs.com/knowledge/tech-tips/search-for-specific-file-types-change-ownership-in-google-workspace/)

### Actions Allowed on Shared Drives

Using GAT+ a Google Workspace Admin can:

- **Add** –  Add users as (Commenter/Viewer/Contributor/Manager/Content Manager)
- **Remove**  – Remove users as (Commenter/Viewer/Contributor/Manager/Content Manager)
- **Replace** – Replace existing permissions/users as (Commenter/Viewer/Contributor/Manager/Content Manager)
- **Settings management** of Shared Drives:
  - Sharing only inside a domain
  - Sharing only with drive members
  - Only Contributors can download, copy and print

See the ‘how-to’ examples below.

- [Add, Remove, Replace Shared drive permissions](https://gatlabs.com/knowledge/tech-tips/shared-drive-membership-management/)
- [Shared Drives’ settings management](https://gatlabs.com/knowledge/tech-tips/shared-drive-membership-management/)