How to save your @tcd Google data

For more information on upcoming changes, you can access the TCD Alumni FAQ page here.

Introduction 

As your @tcd accounts will have Google Drive and Google Photos access removed, you must migrate, or download your data before the deadline communicated by the University to avoid data loss.

You have two options to save your data:

• Option 1: Transfer directly to a personal Google Account (Recommended)
• Option 2: Download your data to a hard drive

Before you begin

Before you start, we strongly recommend checking how much data you currently have stored.

• Check your storage data here: drive.google.com/drive/u/0/quota
• Clean up: delete any unwanted files in Google Drive, or Google Photos to reduce the amount of data you need to transfer, or download.
• Check your destination storage: make sure the personal Google Account, or hard drive you're moving files to, has enough storage capacity.

Option 1: Transfer your data to a personal Google Account

Method A: Full Account Transfer (Recommended)

Best for transferring Gmail, Google Drive and Google Photos all at once.

The Transfer your content tool allows you to seamlessly copy your data directly from your @tcd account to a personal Google Account - no download and/or re-upload needed.

What you can transfer:

• Drive - Files that you own
• Gmail - All mail
• Photos - Photos, videos and albums that you own

For the step-by-step details on the copy & transfer process please see the Transfer Google Photos, Email and Drive data to a personal Gmail account help guide.

Method B: Partner Sharing (Alternative for Google Photos Only)

Use this method if you only want to migrate Google Photos, or if you encounter errors with Method A.

Google Partner Sharing is a built-in feature in Google Photos that lets you automatically share your backed-up photo library — or parts of it — with one person.

To share Google Photos from your school account to a personal one, open Google Photos, go to Sharing > Partner Sharing and enter your personal email address. Accept the invitation on your personal account and save your partner’s photos (CRITICAL step).

For the step-by-step instructions please see the Save Photos to your personal Gmail account using Partner Sharing help guide.

Option 2: Download your data (Google Takeout)

Best if you want to store a physical backup on your computer/hard drive, or export other data like Google Calendar, or YouTube content.

To download your Google account data, go to the Google Takeout tool. Sign in, select the specific Google services you want to back up and choose your preferred delivery method — such as a download link via email.

For more information, please see How to export data using Google Takeout.

Important Note: Once you have verified that your files and photos are safely transferred, or downloaded, you must delete them from your @tcd account and empty your Bin/Trash to free up storage.

Support & Help

For support on anything covered in this guide, go to the Trinity College Support Portal to search related articles, or raise a ticket with the support team.

Tickets can be raised on the portal on the four following categories only: Storage removal, Multi-Factor Authenticator configuration, Password resets, or Changed/lost phone number associated with @tcd account.