Google Account Transfer

If you are a graduating senior or a departing staff member, your @hisd.com or @student.hisd.com account will eventually be deactivated. To keep your documents, emails, and files, you should use Google Takeout or before your last day.

Method 1: Google Transfer (Easiest for Drive & Gmail)

This method copies your school emails and Google Drive files directly to another Gmail account without downloading them to your computer.

1. Prepare your personal account: Make sure you have a personal @gmail.com account with enough storage space.

2. Start the transfer: Log in to your HISD Google Account and go to takeout.google.com/transfer.

3. Enter destination: Type in your personal Gmail address and click Send Code.

4. Verify: Log in to your personal Gmail, find the confirmation email from Google, and copy the verification code.

5. Confirm: Go back to the HISD transfer page, enter the code, and select what you want to copy (Drive and/or Gmail).

6. Begin: Click Start Transfer.

   • Note: This process can take up to a week depending on the size of your account. You will receive an email when it is finished.

Method 2: Google Takeout (Best for Photos, Calendar, & YouTube)

If you need data from services other than Drive and Gmail (like Google Photos or Bookmarks), use the standard Takeout tool.

1. Visit Takeout: Go to takeout.google.com while signed into your HISD account.

2. Select Data: Click "Deselect all" and then check only the boxes you need (e.g., Google Photos, Calendar, Keep).

3. Choose Delivery: Click Next Step. Under "Destination," choose "Send download link via email."

4. Create Export: Choose .zip as the file type and click Create Export.

5. Download: Once Google compiles your data, you will receive an email. Click the link to download the files to your computer or an external hard drive.

Important Things to Know for HISD Users

• Account Expiration: Student accounts are typically deactivated shortly after graduation or withdrawal. Staff accounts are deactivated on their final date of employment. Do not wait until your last day to start this process.

• Shared Files: Google Takeout only exports files that you own. If a teacher or classmate shared a folder with you, it will not be included. To save those, you must right-click the file in Drive and select "Make a Copy" (which makes you the owner) before running the export.

• Device Policy: If you have an HISD Google account on a personal mobile device, you may have the "Google Device Policy" app installed. After transferring your data, remember to remove your HISD account from your phone settings to remove school management profiles.