This page answers frequently asked questions regarding the changes to U-M Google accounts and storage.
Overview
Refer to What Happens When My Storage is Full in U-M Google? for more information on how your U-M Google account is affected when you reach/go over your storage limit.
However, you will not be contacted by ITS if you reach your new storage limit after January 16.
No, it is not possible to pay for additional storage in U-M Google. There are no exceptions. (Google does not provide the ability to do so.)
No, we cannot increase your storage limit. There are no exceptions.
No, you cannot convert your U-M Google account to a personal Google account.
Storage Limits
No, files owned by someone else do not count toward your storage limit. They only count against the owner’s limit.
Within the "Files using Drive storage" list, Google includes large files you have uploaded to shared drives of which you are a member. (They are denoted by the shared drive icon beside the file name: )
However, these files do not count toward your individual account's storage limit. They only count toward the shared drive's limit.
Yes, data created or uploaded through the use of the Google integration in Canvas counts toward your storage limit.
Yes, Google file types, such as Docs, Sheets, and Slides, count against your account's storage limit.
To check your current storage usage, navigate to the shared drive and click the information "i" icon in the top right corner of the page. In the sidebar that appears, you will find the drive's storage usage under Drive details > Storage used.
Exporting/Managing Data
No, ITS will not transfer your Google data for you.
If you are a faculty, staff, or student, you can use the ITS Google Storage Transfer Tool.
If you are an alum or retiree, you can use Google Takeout.
No, Google Takeout Transfer is not available to transfer data from U-M to a personal Google account.
No, sharing permissions and collaborators are not retained when transferring your data out of Google using either the ITS Google Storage Transfer Tool or Google Takeout.
Yes, you can use Google Takeout to export and download your data from U-M Google. Refer to Getting Started With Google Takeout for instructions on using the tool.
Refer to Transfer Ownership of Files in Google Drive for instructions on transferring ownership of files in U-M Google.
Unfortunately no. Google only allows individuals to transfer ownership to another account within the same domain (i.e., U-M Google). ITS has no control over this.
Refer to Tips for Cleaning Up Your U-M Google Account for suggestions on cleaning up your Gmail.
Refer to Transfer Ownership of Google Drive Files Owned by Someone Who Left U-M for more information.
Google does not have robust search or sort functionalities for shared drives. For example, there is no way to search or sort by file size in shared drives.
Unfortunately, the option to use Storage Saver in Google Photos is not available for education domains like U-M Google.
- Only individuals assigned the Manager role can delete shared drives
- The shared drive must be completely empty of all files and folders
- Once empty, a Manager can select Delete shared drive from the drop-down menu (under the shared drive name)
- If it's not empty and/or you are not a Manager, the option will be grayed out and unclickable
Faculty, Staff & Students
Your storage limit will change from 250 GB to 15 GB. Any data over limit will be deleted 90 days after your affiliation changes.
Your storage limit will change from 250 GB to 15 GB upon graduation.
Alumni & Retirees
If you return to the university as a faculty, staff, or student, your storage limit will change from 15 GB back to 250 GB for as long as you hold the active affiliation.