Migrating data between Google Drive is straightforward. However, some users may encounter issues where files are missing after the migration is complete. This issue commonly occurs during personal account transfers, Google Workspace migrations, or manual download and upload processes.

Are you wondering why files are missing after migrating to Google Drive? In most cases, the files still exist but are hidden due to ownership, permissions, or location issues. This guide explains the reasons, solutions, and how to avoid the process.

## Common Scenarios Where Google Drive Files Go Missing

First, let’s understand the reasons for the problem.
- When you move data between two personal Google accounts, only /my Drive files are transferred. Files shared with you by others are often skipped unless explicitly added to My Drive.
- Google Workspace migrations involve more complexity. Admin permissions, Shared Drives, and ownership rules can cause files to be excluded if not mapped correctly.
- Manual migration methods, such as downloading files and re-uploading them, are prone to errors, incomplete uploads, and missing Google-native files like Docs and Sheets.
- Files you don’t own are not automatically included in most migrations. If a document is only shared with you, it won’t move unless it’s added to My Drive or ownership is transferred.
- After migration, many users assume files are missing when they are actually located under Shared with Me. Since these files don’t appear in folder structures, they are easy to overlook.
- Files where you have only viewer or commenter access may be skipped. Migration tools and manual methods often require editor or owner permissions to transfer files.
- Very large files, corrupted files, or certain unsupported formats may fail during migration—especially when using manual methods or Google Takeout.
These are the most common situations where Google Drive files can’t migrate. But before going through the solutions, it is important to first check which Drive files.

## How to Check Which Google Drive Files Are Missing?
Follow the steps below to find out which files are missing.
- Check the total number of files and folders in the source and destination accounts. Storage usage comparison can also reveal gaps.
- Use Google Drive Search by:
- File type (PDF, DOCX, etc.)
- Owner
- Last modified date
- Many “missing” files are simply not in My Drive. Always check these two locations thoroughly.
After that, know the solutions.

How to Fix Missing Files After Google Drive Migration?

**Re-add Shared Files to My Drive**
Open Shared with Me, select the required files, and add them to My Drive. This ensures they are included if you re-run the migration.

**Request Ownership Transfer**
If possible, ask the original owner to transfer ownership of critical files. Admins can also perform ownership changes in Google Workspace environments.

**Re-run Migration for Failed Items**
Identify skipped or failed files and re-migrate only those items instead of starting from scratch.

**Restore Files from Google Drive Trash**
If files were deleted before or during migration, check Trash. Workspace admins can recover deleted data within Google’s retention window.

These are the solutions that can resolve the problem. But the issues will come again. To avoid that, follow the steps below.

### Best Practices to Prevent Missing Files in Future Migrations

**Prepare Google Drive Before Migration**
- Organize files and folders
- Remove duplicates
- Add all shared files to My Drive

**Check Permissions in Advance**
Ensure you have editor or owner access to all critical files. Shared Drive content should have proper manager permissions.

**Avoid Manual Migration for Large Drives**
Manual methods are suitable only for small datasets. Larger drives increase the risk of missed or corrupted files.

**Run a Test Migration**
Migrate a small data sample first to identify potential issues before transferring the entire drive.

### When to Use a Google Drive Migration Tool?
Manual migration methods lack visibility and error handling. A dedicated Google Drive migration tool helps eliminate common issues by:

- Migrating My Drive and shared files
- Preserving folder structure and permissions
- Retrying failed files automatically
- Generating migration reports for verification

If you’re handling large volumes of data or business-critical files, using a migration tool significantly reduces the risk of missing files. For this, **SysTools [Google Drive Migration Software](https://www.systoolsgroup.com/google-drive/migration/)**.

### Conclusion
Missing files after migrating to Google Drive is a **common but solvable issue**. In most cases, files aren’t lost—they’re just restricted, misplaced, or skipped due to permission rules. With proper preparation, verification, and the right migration approach, you can ensure a complete and accurate transfer of your Google Drive data.