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How to Move Files from Google Drive to Dropbox

Want to move your files from Google Drive to Dropbox? With SyncThemAll you can transfer them directly between the two clouds — no downloading everything to your computer and re-uploading it. Connect both accounts once, then move or copy files in a two-pane window, or set up a routine that keeps them in sync automatically.

It's free for this: the free edition includes 2 cloud accounts — exactly Google Drive plus Dropbox — with unlimited manual transfers.

Before you start

  • Install SyncThemAll — it's a desktop app for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Download it here.
  • Have your Google and Dropbox logins ready. You'll sign in through your browser; SyncThemAll never sees your passwords.

Step 1 — Connect Google Drive and Dropbox

Open Accounts and add both clouds:

  1. Click Add account, choose Google Drive, and click Connect. Your browser opens — approve access, and you're back in the app, connected.
  2. Do the same for Dropbox.

Your login stays on your device, encrypted — your files and credentials never touch our servers. That's both of your free cloud accounts used, and you're ready to transfer.

Step 2 — Move the files in Explorer

This is the fastest way for a one-time transfer.

  1. Open Explorer. It has two panes side by side.
  2. In the left pane, pick Google Drive as the source and browse to the folder you want to move.
  3. In the right pane, pick Dropbox and open the destination folder.
  4. Select the files or folders on the Google Drive side. Use Ctrl+A for everything, or Ctrl/Shift-click to pick specific items.
  5. Press Move (F6) to move them to Dropbox, or Copy (F5) to copy. A toolbar arrow shows the direction; a confirmation lists exactly what's going where.

The transfer runs cloud to cloud in the background — you'll see progress, speed, and an ETA on a job card. Nothing is downloaded to your computer along the way. You can read more about Explorer here.

Copy or move — which should I pick?

  • Copy leaves the originals on Google Drive. Safest choice — verify everything landed in Dropbox first, then delete from Drive yourself if you want.
  • Move across two clouds is careful by design: SyncThemAll copies first, verifies, and only then removes the originals from Google Drive. If anything fails, nothing is deleted and you're told the move was incomplete.

Step 3 (optional) — Keep Dropbox in sync automatically

If this isn't a one-off — say you want new files added to a Google Drive folder to keep flowing into Dropbox — use a routine instead:

  1. Click + New routine.
  2. Add a Sync folder (or Copy folder) step: source = your Google Drive folder, destination = your Dropbox folder.
  3. Give it a trigger — a schedule (e.g. every night) or watch the Google Drive folder so it runs when files change.
  4. Save. The free edition runs one triggered routine (plus as many manual ones as you like).

Heads-up on Sync: a Sync folder step makes the destination match the source — it will delete files in the Dropbox folder that aren't in the Google Drive folder. If you only ever want to add files, use Copy folder instead. Sync is one-directional; double-check which way it runs.

Good to know

  • Direct and private. Files move straight between Google's and Dropbox's servers via your app. They're never stored on ours — we only check your license.
  • Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides aren't regular files. When copied off Google Drive they're exported to Office formats (for example .docx and .xlsx). Files you uploaded yourself — PDFs, images, ZIPs, Office documents — transfer exactly as they are.
  • Cost. Google Drive + Dropbox is exactly the free edition's 2-account allowance, and manual transfers are unlimited. Need more clouds or more automated routines? See Pricing.

FAQ

Does this download my files to my computer first?

No. Explorer transfers directly between Google Drive and Dropbox. Nothing is stored on your disk in between.

Will it delete my files from Google Drive?

Only if you choose Move — and even then, only after the copy is verified on Dropbox. Copy leaves Google Drive untouched.

Is it really free?

Yes. Google Drive and Dropbox are the two cloud accounts the free edition includes, and manual copies and moves are unlimited. Paid editions add more accounts and more automated routines.

Can I keep the two clouds in sync going forward?

Yes — set up a routine (Step 3) with a schedule or folder-watch trigger. Sync is one-directional; pick the direction when you build it.

Can I go the other way, Dropbox to Google Drive?

Yes — the same steps work in reverse. Put Dropbox in the left pane and Google Drive in the right.