How to download your data from Google services using Google Takeout

What is Google Takeout and what is it used for?

Google Takeout is a free tool that allows you to export and download copies of the data stored in your Google account. It gathers selected information from various services and creates an archive that you can save to your computer or another storage location.

This tool is useful if you want to:

• Create a backup — for example, to save important files, correspondence, and photos outside of your Google account.
• Transfer information to another service. For example, you can save photos to an external drive or export emails for use in a different email program.
• Preserve data before making changes to your account. If you plan to switch to a different Gmail address or stop using certain services, an archive ensures you don’t lose important information.
• Keep your own copy of digital content. You can gather documents, photos, and other data that you want to be able to access independently of any specific service.

It is important to note: Google Takeout creates copies of your data but does not delete the originals from your Google account. This means you can download an archive while continuing to use your usual services.

What data can you download using Google Takeout?

Google Takeout allows you to choose which information to export from various services. You don’t have to download everything at once — you can select only the specific categories you need.

Here are some examples of what you can save:

• Gmail. Emails and attachments currently in your inbox.
• Google Drive. Documents, spreadsheets, presentations, PDFs, photos, and other files stored in Drive.
• Google Photos. Photos and videos from your library.
• Google Calendar. Events, appointments, and other calendar entries.
• Google Contacts. Names, phone numbers, email addresses, and other saved contact information.
• YouTube. Your own videos and other channel data available for export.
• Google Maps Saved places, reviews, and other data available for export.
• Chrome. Certain browser data, such as bookmarks, provided they are available for export from your account.

The list is not limited to these services. Google Takeout may also offer data exports from other Google products you use. The specific data available for export depends on the service in question and the information contained in your account.

Please note: an export does not always create an exact replica of a service’s standard interface. For example, documents may be saved in exported file formats, and correspondence might be stored in a format that requires a specific email application to open. Therefore, you should view the archive as a collection of files for safekeeping or future use, rather than as a complete copy of the Google interface.

Downloading your data via Google Takeout: a step-by-step guide

You don’t need to install any special software to download data from your Google account; all you need is a web browser and access to your account.

1. Open Google Takeout and select the data you want to export

Go to the official Google Takeout webpage. If prompted, sign in to your Google account. If you have multiple accounts, ensure you are logged into the one that contains the emails, photos, or documents you wish to download.

You will see a list of Google products whose data can be included in your archive. Some items may be selected by default.

If you do not want to include all your data, click «Deselect all» (or use the equivalent option on the page) and then manually select only the services you need.

In some services, you can specify exactly which data to export. To do this, use a button such as «All data included» next to the relevant item and deselect any categories you do not need.

Once you have finished making your selection, click «Next step».

2. Configure the delivery method, format, and size of the archive

Next, Google will ask you to choose where to send or save the archive. The simplest option is to receive a download link via email.

Depending on the available options, you can also choose a different storage location, such as Google Drive or a supported third-party cloud service.

If you would like to save the files directly to your computer, it is most convenient to have a link sent to your email address. Once the archive is ready, you will receive an email, which will allow you to download the file via your browser.

You can also choose how often Google creates an archive: either as a one-time event or on a recurring schedule. For a single backup — for instance, before switching to a different email account — select «Export once». If you prefer to maintain regular backups, there are two automated export options: monthly for one year (12 exports) or every two months for one year (6 exports). Since each export will be a separate archive, please ensure you have sufficient free space on your computer or an external drive beforehand.

Google Takeout also allows you to choose the archive format. The following options are typically available:

• ZIP — the most common format, which can be easily opened on Windows, macOS, and other operating systems using built-in tools or archiving software. ZIP is suitable for most users.
• TGZ — a compressed archive format more commonly used in Linux environments and other technical scenarios.

You can also choose the maximum size for each part of the archive. If there is a large amount of data, Google will split it into several files. This is useful when you need to download the materials in parts or if there are file size limitations.

After configuring the settings, click the «Create export» button.

3. Wait for the archive to be created

Google will begin preparing your data. This does not always happen instantly: depending on the volume of information and the services you have selected, the process can take anywhere from a few minutes to several days.

Once the archive is ready, Google will send an email notification. Open the email and follow the download link. For security reasons, the service may ask you to re-verify your identity.

4. Download and extract the files

Save the archive to your computer or another storage device. If Google has generated multiple parts, be sure to download all the necessary files.

Once the download is complete, open the ZIP archive and extract its contents into a separate folder. The data is typically organized by service, which makes it easier to locate the materials you need.

Some archives include a file named archive_browser.html that provides additional information about the content and data format. If you are unsure how to open a particular file, start by checking this file.

Things to consider before downloading

Google Takeout helps you save a large amount of data, but there are a few points to keep in mind before creating an archive:

• Check how much space you need. If you have accumulated years’ worth of photos, videos, and email attachments, the archive could be quite large. Ensure that you have enough space on your computer or external drive to download and extract the files.
• Ensure a stable internet connection. Large archives can take a long time to download, and a connection interruption can cause unnecessary inconvenience. If you need to save tens of gigabytes of data, it is best to schedule the download for a time when you can use the internet without any time constraints.
• Protect your downloaded files. The archive may contain personal correspondence, photos, documents, and other sensitive information. Do not leave it in a shared folder with open access, and do not share the link with unauthorized individuals. If you are saving the archive to an external storage device, make sure to keep it in a secure place.
• Do not view the export as a complete replica of your entire account. Google Takeout exports data that is accessible through the respective products. Some information may not be included in the archive, and any changes made after the export process has begun may not be reflected. If you are creating an archive for important documents or as a backup, verify that all the necessary files are actually included.

Why a stable internet connection is important for downloading your archive

Google Takeout can take quite a while to generate an archive, and once it’s ready, you still need to download it. This is especially noticeable if you are exporting a large library of photos, videos, or files from Google Drive.

For a task like this, the stability of your home internet is just as important as its speed. When downloading a large volume of data, it’s much better to have a connection that won’t drop out at the worst possible moment. Maxnet offers home internet services designed for all your daily needs — from work and study to backing up and transferring files.

So, go ahead and conveniently save your Gmail messages, photos, Google Drive documents, contacts, and any other exportable data using Google Takeout. We’ll make sure the process is as smooth and comfortable as possible for you.