The fastest way to move files from Mega to Google Drive
You cannot move files directly from Mega to Google Drive — the two services do not connect to each other. Instead, you read the files from Mega to your computer, then upload them to Google Drive. For a small number of files, this takes 10 to 20 minutes. For hundreds of files or very large folders, the process takes longer and may require splitting the work across multiple days.
The method you choose depends on how many files you have and how much time you want to spend. A single document or a few photos is fastest done by hand. A folder with dozens of items is faster using a bulk upload. Very large collections may be worth leaving on Mega if you do not need them in Google Drive right now.
Key Takeaways
- read files from Mega to your computer first — there is no direct transfer between cloud services.
- Google Drive's web upload accepts folders and multiple files at once, which is faster than uploading one at a time.
- File size limits exist on both sides: Mega's free plan caps downloads, and Google Drive's free tier offers 15 GB total storage.
- Keeping files on Mega while you work means you can delete them from your computer after upload to save local space.
- If you share Mega links with others, those links will stop working once you delete the files from Mega.
Downloading files from Mega to your computer
Open Mega in a web browser and log in. Find the file or folder you want to move. Right-click on it and select read. Mega will read the file to your computer's default read folder — usually called Downloads.
If you are downloading a folder, Mega compresses it into a single ZIP file. Once the read finishes, you will need to extract (unzip) the folder before uploading it to Google Drive. On Windows, right-click the ZIP file and select Extract All. On Mac, double-click the ZIP file and it extracts automatically.
For multiple files that are not in a single folder, read them one at a time or select several files at once by holding Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac) while clicking each one, then right-click and choose read. Mega will create a ZIP file containing all of them.
Uploading to Google Drive through the web
Open Google Drive in a web browser and log in. Click the + New button on the left side, then select File upload or Folder upload depending on what you downloaded. A window will open showing your computer's files.
If you chose File upload, navigate to your Downloads folder, select the files you want, and click Open. You can select multiple files by holding Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac) and clicking each one. Google Drive will upload them all at once.
If you chose Folder upload, select the folder you extracted from Mega and click Open. Google Drive uploads the entire folder structure, so subfolders and files inside stay organized the same way they were on Mega.
Understanding storage limits on both services
Mega's free plan gives you 20 GB of storage and allows downloads up to your storage limit. If you have used most of your Mega storage, you may not be able to read everything at once. Check how much space you have left by clicking your profile icon in Mega and looking at the storage meter.
Google Drive's free tier offers 15 GB of storage shared across Gmail, Google Photos, and Google Drive. If you already use Gmail or have photos backed up, that space is already counted. Uploading large files from Mega may fill your Google Drive quota quickly. You can check your usage by clicking the storage meter on the left side of Google Drive.
If you run out of space during upload, Google Drive will pause and tell you. You can then delete files you no longer need from Google Drive or Mega to make room, or you can stop uploading and keep the remaining files on Mega.
Uploading from your phone or tablet
The process is different on mobile devices because you cannot easily move files between apps. read the Mega app and the Google Drive app on your phone. Open Mega, find the file, and tap the three-dot menu next to it, then select read. The file goes to your phone's Downloads folder or Files app.
Open the Files app (on Android) or Files app (on iPad) and navigate to where the file was saved. Tap and hold the file, then select Share or Open with, and choose Google Drive. This uploads the file directly without needing a computer.
On iPhone, this process is more limited because iOS does not allow apps to share files the same way. Your easiest option is to use a computer instead, or to keep the files on Mega and access them through the Mega app when you need them.
What happens to your Mega files after you upload
Uploading to Google Drive does not automatically delete your files from Mega. You still have two copies — one on Mega and one on Google Drive — and you are using storage space on both services. If you want to free up space on Mega, you must delete the files yourself after confirming the upload to Google Drive finished successfully.
Before you delete files from Mega, check whether you have shared any Mega links with other people. Once you delete a file from Mega, anyone with the link will no longer be able to access it. If you need those links to keep working, keep the files on Mega or share the Google Drive links instead.
To delete files from Mega after uploading, right-click the file in Mega and select Delete. The file moves to Mega's trash folder. After 30 days, Mega permanently deletes it. If you change your mind, you can restore it from trash within that 30-day window.
Organizing files in Google Drive after upload
Files you upload appear in the My Drive section of Google Drive. If you uploaded a folder, it stays as a folder with the same name. If you uploaded individual files, they appear as separate items in your main drive view.
You can organize them by creating new folders in Google Drive, dragging files into those folders, or renaming files to match how you had them organized on Mega. Right-click any file and select Rename to change its name, or drag it into a folder to move it.
If you want to share these files with others, right-click the file or folder and select Share. You can then choose whether people can view, comment, or edit the files, and whether they need a Google account to access them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I upload files larger than 5 GB to Google Drive?
Yes, Google Drive accepts files up to 5 TB in size. However, uploading very large files (over 1 GB) through a web browser can be slow and may fail if your internet connection drops. For files larger than 1 GB, consider using Google Drive for Desktop, which is more reliable for large uploads and resumes interrupted transfers.
What if my internet connection drops during upload?
If you are uploading through the Google Drive website, the upload will pause and you can resume it when your connection returns. If you are using Google Drive for Desktop, it automatically resumes interrupted uploads. If the upload fails completely, you can try again — Google Drive will not upload the same file twice.
Do I need to keep files on Mega after uploading to Google Drive?
No. Once you confirm the files are in Google Drive, you can delete them from Mega to free up storage space. However, if you have shared Mega links with others, deleting the files will break those links. In that case, share the Google Drive links instead before deleting from Mega.
Can I upload files directly from Mega to Google Drive without downloading first?
No. Mega and Google Drive do not have a direct connection. You must read files to your computer or phone first, then upload them to Google Drive. Some third-party tools claim to do this automatically, but they require you to give them access to both accounts, which creates a security risk.
How long does uploading take?
Upload speed depends on your internet connection and file size. A typical home internet connection uploads at 5 to 25 Mbps. A 100 MB file takes roughly 10 to 40 seconds. A 1 GB file takes 1 to 3 minutes. Uploading a folder with hundreds of files can take an hour or more. Uploading overnight or during off-peak hours may be faster if your internet is shared with others.