There are two potential paths to migrate your Google Drive data to NextCloud.
- Use both Google Drive Desktop and NextCloud Desktop, as shown in this YouTube video : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKxuO_HfI1c . The video assumes that the NextCloud Desktop is already installed. If it isn't, use these instructions : how-to-sync-Nextcloud-files-with-computer. This method may be a bit simpler, although it requires installation of another Google product. You'll probably need your NextCloud Administrator to grant you more NextCloud storage, as described here : how-to-set-disk-space-quota-for-control-panel-item
- Follow the steps outlined below. That method uses Google Takeout, which runs on Google's equipment rather than being locally installed.
- Log in to your Google Drive account : https://drive.google.com/
- Look for your avatar in the upper right corner of the page, and click it.
- Click through: Manage Your Google Account > Data and Privacy > Download your data > (arrive at Google Takeout)
- Click "Deselect all"
- Scroll down to Drive
- Click its checkbox
- Click the buttons for File Formats, Advanced Settings, and Drive Data Included. Review the options in each and check boxes according to your needs.
- Scroll down and click 'Next Step'
- Destination - Send download link via email
- Frequency - Export once
- File type and size - .zip is the universal choice. .tgz may be better for some Linux users. It is recommended to choose the highest file size value feasible in your situation. Google may create multiple files, all of which will need to be downloaded.
- Click 'Create Export'
- A summary of the export is displayed. Google will create the export asynchronously and email you a link with which you can download the data. Take note of the reported export size. You can complete the 'Prepare your Mayfirst NextCloud account' and 'Install NextCloud Desktop' major steps while you wait.
- Check your Gmail from time to time for an email with the subject "Your Google data is ready to download", and open the email. Verify you have disk space to fit at least twice the download size.
- Click the "Download your files" button in the body of the email.
- Google will ask you to log in again as a security precaution.
- The download should begin automatically. Wait for it to complete.
- Log in to your NextCloud account: https://share.mayfirst.org/
- Click on the Files icon in the top row
- Look at the file space numbers at the bottom of the left hand column
- Determine if your account needs more file space, based on the export size noted above.
- If you need additional space, the Administrator of your organization's Mayfirst account will need to grant your account an increase, using this procedure : how-to-set-disk-space-quota-for-control-panel-item
You'll need the NextCloud Desktop client installed for the simplest way to upload your files. The installation process is described in the link below.
how-to-sync-Nextcloud-files-with-computer
Extract the files from the .zip download(s) into the NextCloud folder. If you have multiple NextCloud accounts, by default you'll have multiple folders like NextCloud, NextCloud2, NextCloud3. Choose accordingly for the extract folder.
It is beyond the scope of this document to detail all the steps for all possible utilities that process .zip files. In general, using the File Manager for your system, right click on the .zip file, and extract it to the /NextCloud folder. You should end up with something like /NextCloud/Takeout/Drive/(lots of folders and files).
The NextCloud Desktop client should immediately begin synchronizng, i.e. uploading, to your NextCloud account. The completion time will depend on the speed of your Internet connection and the amount of data. Check back with NextCloud Desktop client from time to time in order to verify completion.
Follow the proper uninstall instructions for your system.
Keeping NextCloud Desktop will allow you to work on your files and folders without being concerned about Mayfirst timeouts. You will also have your files available in the event you are offline.
Once you are comfortable with NextCloud, you can consider deleting your files from Google Drive.