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Gmail and Google Drive Files Exporting and Saving

Gmail and Google Drive Files Exporting and Saving

When graduating or otherwise separating from Geneseo, you may want to save your old email messages. You can export and download your data from the Google products you use, like your email, calendar, and photos. In a few easy steps, create an archive to keep for your records or use the data in another service. 

Before you start

Forwarding your email

To forward new email you receive to your geneseo.edu account to some other non geneseo.edu account, follow Google's support instructions.

This will not forward your email once your account is deactivated in our system. You must take steps to change your email address with any parties you wish to continue to receive email from. Setting a vacation or out of office message is recommended for the 4 weeks prior to your account being disabled.

Export and saving options

Download your Google data

Copy Google data to another account

Ensure your personal Google account has sufficient storage.

Step 1: Set Up Partner Sharing on University Account

  1. Sign in to Google Photos with your university account.

  2. Click the ⚙️ Settings (top right).

  3. Select Partner Sharing → Get Started.

  4. Enter your personal Gmail address.

  5. Choose what to share:

    • ✅ All Photos (recommended if you want everything)

    • Or filter by date or specific people.

  6. Click Next → Send Invitation.

Step 2: Accept on Your Personal Account

  1. Sign in to Google Photos with your personal Gmail.

  2. You’ll see an invitation notification.

  3. Click Accept.

Step 3: Auto-Save Photos into Personal Library

  1. On your personal account, go to:
    Settings → Partner Sharing.

  2. Your university account should now show as a partner.

  3. Turn on Automatically Save Photos → select All Photos.

  4. Google will begin copying all photos into your personal library.

Step 4: Verify & Clean Up

  • Wait for sync to finish (time depends on how many photos you have).

  • Check in your personal account: search by year, place, or album to confirm everything’s there.

  • Once confirmed, you can end partner sharing if you wish → your saved copies stay in your personal account.

✅ Advantages:

  • Keeps dates, locations, albums, and edits intact.

  • No need to download or re-upload large files.

  • Can transfer tens of thousands of photos smoothly.

The copy process usually happens within a few hours, but it can take up to a week.

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