How to Sync Microsoft OneDrive with Google Drive

• 30 September 2025
• OneDrive
• Written by Justin Greaves

When it comes to cloud storage, Microsoft and Google are two of the strongest contenders. Add Dropbox to it, and the entire cloud storage market is consumed by these major players.

If you are looking for cloud storage options, OneDrive vs Google debate must have struck you at least once. We agree, sometimes it can be difficult to decide between the two cloud storage providers. However, what if we told you that you can use both storage solutions without any extra effort? What if you could use both Microsoft OneDrive as well as Google Drive to simultaneously backup your files at once in both places?

If you are wondering, then yes, it is certainly possible to do that with the help of Microsoft Power Automate. Keep reading this article to know how to sync OneDrive and Google Drive.

Create Folders for Synchronizing Files

First, you must start by creating folders on both your Microsoft OneDrive and Google Drive. Those folders shall contain the files you would be synchronizing from OneDrive to Google Drive; while this step is not necessary, we suggest you perform it nevertheless as it helps keep your files organized. Here, we have created two folders titled ‘Google Drive Sync’ for our Microsoft OneDrive folder and ‘OneDrive Sync Folder’ for our Google Drive account.

Navigate to Power Automate

After having created the folders on both platforms, click on the ‘All apps’ option from the dropdown menu that appears once you click the app launcher (the nine-dot figure) and click on ‘Power Automate.’

Select the Correct Flow Template

Power Automate works based on templates which are sets of instructions that when put together tell the program the tasks to be performed and the order in which they must be performed.

Type in “OneDrive to Google Drive” in the search field and click the first option that comes up in the search results. The automated template is titled, “Sync new OneDrive Files to Google Drive Files.”

Log-in to your OneDrive and Google Drive Accounts

While you are already logged in to your Microsoft Outlook (or Hotmail) account, you will need to retype the password of your OneDrive (or Outlook or Hotmail) account as well as log in to your Gmail account. Once you have logged in to both accounts, you shall see green ticks next to your emails as seen in the picture below. Click ‘Continue.’

Choose Your Folder Paths

The next step is to connect the correct folders between Microsoft OneDrive and Google Drive. If you created the folders in the first step, in this step you shall have the option to choose those. Click on the folder icon for ‘OneDrive folder,’ click the ‘>’ beside ‘root,’ and select ‘Google Drive Sync.’ We have selected that because we created that folder to contain all the files that would be simultaneously synchronized between Google Drive and OneDrive. Your folder name may differ.

Coming to the Google Drive folder path, click on the folder icon, click the ‘>’ beside the ‘GoogleDrive,’ and select the ‘OneDrive Sync Folder’ or whatever folder you created for the synchronization process. Click on ‘Create’ once done.

Test Your Newly Created Flow

Your Flow to automate the synchronization between your Microsoft OneDrive and Google Drive has been created. Now, you must test the Flow to ensure that it is working.

After the creation of the Flow, you would be redirected to a screen that shows the details of the Flow including the folders it synchronizes, the date and time of when the Flow was created, and other details. To test your Flow, click ‘Edit.’

You will then be redirected to a page where you will need to input the settings for both OneDrive and Google Drive. Ensure that you have selected the respective folders for both like we have selected ‘Google Drive Sync’ for OneDrive’s folder and ‘OneDrive Sync Folder’ for Google Drive. Leave the settings for Google Drive as they are and change the ‘Infer Content Type’ to ‘Yes’ for OneDrive. If you cannot see the ‘Infer Content Type’ setting for OneDrive, click on ‘Show Advanced Options’ and it will appear then.

Now click on the ‘Test’ option and select ‘I’ll perform the trigger action.’ Then click on Save and Test. If you did everything correctly, you would see a blank screen that asks you to add files to your OneDrive folder.

We go back to our OneDrive sync folder and add a file to test it out. Once that is done, we see the status of our box change to notify us that our Flow is running successfully. Do note that the OneDrive sync speed depends on your internet connection.

Alternatively, if you go back to your Google Drive folder titled, ‘OneDrive Sync Folder’ or whatever name you picked, you will find the same file uploaded there. And that’s it! You are done. From this point onward, whenever you upload a file to your Microsoft OneDrive, your Google Drive will be automatically synchronized if you upload files to the same folders which you selected for the synchronization process. For any reason, if you find your OneDrive not synchronizing, just go through the steps again and see where you went wrong.

Transfer OneDrive Files to Google Drive Without Downloading

You can transfer files from OneDrive to Google Drive on a Windows PC using their desktop apps, without needing to download or upload files manually. This method relies on local syncing through Windows Explorer and is best suited for straightforward, one-time transfers.

How to Transfer Files Using Windows Explorer

1. Install Both Desktop Applications

   Install the official OneDrive and Google Drive desktop apps on your PC and sign in to each.

2. Open File Locations Side by Side

   Open Windows Explorer and navigate to the OneDrive and Google Drive folders in separate windows or panes.

3. Drag and Drop Files Between Folders

   Locate the files or folders in OneDrive and drag them into the Google Drive folder. The Google Drive app will automatically sync them to the cloud.

Advantages	Disadvantages
Uses built-in sync for automation	Requires local storage on your PC
No browser or third-party tools	Consumes bandwidth during sync
Simple drag-and-drop process	Only works on Windows systems
	No support for automatic incremental sync (manual transfer only)
	Relies on both apps functioning and syncing correctly

This approach is efficient for small or occasional transfers but may not be ideal for large-scale or ongoing Google Drive to OneDrive sync needs.

Best Third-Party Tools for OneDrive and Google Drive Sync

For users exploring self-managed sync options between cloud platforms like OneDrive and Google Drive, a few third-party tools are available that may address basic or specialized needs. Those specifically looking into how to sync OneDrive to Google Drive may find these tools useful in certain contexts, though it is important to assess their scope and limitations before relying on them for broader or business-critical migrations.

MultCloud supports over ten sync modes and includes a free tier capped at 30GB per month, though it may require some technical familiarity. CBackup focuses on scheduled sync and backup, with a simpler setup suitable for individual users. These tools may serve limited needs but are not typically recommended for complex or large-scale requirements.

Common Sync Issues and How to Fix Them

Syncing files between cloud storage services like OneDrive and Google Drive is generally smooth, but occasional issues can cause delays, errors, or data mismatches. If you’re looking for how to sync Google Drive with OneDrive, this quick guide covers common issues and how to fix them without third-party tools or paid support.

1. OneDrive Sync Problems

When OneDrive encounters issues, users might notice a red or white X over the OneDrive icon in the system tray. Sync may appear stuck with a persistent “Processing changes” message, and in some cases, files placed in the synced folder fail to upload to the cloud altogether.

How to Fix:

1. Reset OneDrive: Press Win + R, enter: %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset
   Then restart OneDrive from the Start menu.
2. Pause and Resume Sync: Right-click the OneDrive icon > Pause syncing > Wait 2 hours > Resume.
3. Close Open Files: Ensure files in Office apps (like Word or Excel) are closed before syncing.
4. Re-link Your Account: Go to OneDrive Settings > Account > Unlink this PC > Sign in again.

2. Google Drive Sync Problems

Google Drive sync errors often show up as a never-ending “Sync pending” status. Even after waiting, changes made locally may not reflect online, and “Couldn’t sync” error messages might continue to appear despite repeated attempts.

How to Fix:

1. Clear the Cache: Google Drive for Desktop > Settings > Preferences > Clear cached data
2. Reinstall the App: Uninstall from Control Panel > Download and install the latest version from Google
3. Check File Permissions: Right-click a file > Properties > Ensure it’s not set to Read-Only
4. Switch Sync Modes: In Preferences, try switching from Stream mode to Mirror mode or vice versa.

3. Cross-Cloud Sync Conflicts

Conflicts between OneDrive and Google Drive typically result in duplicate files labeled as “conflicted copy” or other versions. Files may not match across platforms due to inconsistent sync timing, especially if edits occur in both locations without proper coordination.

How to Fix:

1. Keep Sync Folders Separate: Avoid syncing the same folder with both services. Use distinct paths like /OneDrive/Files and /Google Drive/Files.
2. Manually Resolve Conflicts: Delete duplicates and upload the correct version only once.
3. Avoid Simultaneous Editing: Don’t edit files across both platforms at the same time. Close them on one service before accessing from another.

Tips to Prevent Future Issues

Keeping your sync tools updated can help avoid many common problems. You can check for updates in the OneDrive app under Settings > About > Update, and in Google Drive under Help > Check for updates. It’s also important to keep an eye on your storage limits. In OneDrive, this can be done through your account settings, while Google Drive users can use the Storage Manager to monitor usage. Finally, when syncing large files, using a wired internet connection is recommended to reduce the risk of interrupted or incomplete uploads.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I sync my OneDrive to Google Drive?

   While there’s no built-in integration between the two, you can use Microsoft Power Automate to create simple workflows that sync files between OneDrive and Google Drive. Another option is to sync both accounts to your desktop and manually move files between their folders for automatic upload.

2. How do I automatically sync files between Google Drive and OneDrive?

   Power Automate lets you create flows that transfer files based on triggers. Alternatively, sync both services to your PC and drag files between their local folders for automatic cloud uploads.

3. Can I merge Google Drive and OneDrive into one account?

   No, but you can manage both using File Explorer by syncing them locally. Each service appears as a separate folder, allowing easy access and transfers.

4. How do I sync Microsoft files like Word or Excel to Google Drive?

   Save Office files to your synced Google Drive folder. To edit them in Drive, open them with Google Docs or Sheets, which may convert them to a compatible format.

5. What’s the easiest way to transfer files from OneDrive to Google Drive?

   Sync both services to your PC and drag files from the OneDrive folder into the Google Drive folder. The upload happens automatically—no downloads needed.

6. Is syncing Google Drive to OneDrive possible?

   Yes. You can use Power Automate to create workflows that copy files from Google Drive to OneDrive, or move them manually between synced folders.

7. How do I move files from Google Drive to OneDrive?

   Either download from Google Drive and upload to OneDrive, or use Power Automate to automate the transfer when files are added to a specific folder.

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