Resolving Accidental Folder Ownership Transfers in Google Drive

Information

An accidental ownership transfer was performed in the Google Admin Console, resulting in unintended sharing of a user's entire Google Drive data with another account. To comply with company policy, ownership must be reverted to the original user.

Environment

• Google Drive Admin Console.

Process

How to Fix Folder Ownership After an Accidental Transfer

1. Contact the New Owner:
   • Remotely assist the new owner or provide them with instructions.
2. Locate the Shared Folder:
   1. Ask the new owner to log into their Google Drive.
   2. Navigate to the folder mistakenly transferred from the original user.
3. Share the Folder with the Original Owner:
   1. Right-click the folder and select Share.
   2. Enter the original owner's email address and grant them Editor access.
4. Transfer Ownership Back
   1. In the sharing settings, click the dropdown next to the original owner's name and select Make Owner.
   2. Confirm the ownership transfer.
5. Remove the "New" Owner (Optional but Recommended)
   1. After the ownership has been successfully transferred, click the dropdown next to the new owner's name in the sharing settings.
   2. Select Remove Access to ensure the folder is fully restored to the original owner's control.
   3. The original owner may still see the new owner as owner of their files. If so, then they will need to make a copy of the file or folder and remove the old file.