Google Takeout exports your Google data from takeout.google.com. When an export fails or drags, create another archive, export fewer products or request a smaller archive size. Download links expire after about 7 days and every archive downloads 5 times. Exporting to a storage service like Box is another option.
Your export stalls, shows a failure or ends with a missing archive. Google lists a short set of fixes and most of them cost only a few minutes.
Facts follow the Google Account Help page on downloading your data. Menu names shift over time.
How does Google Takeout Work?
- Open takeout.google.com and sign in.
- Select the products you need and clear the rest.
- Choose a delivery method. Google offers an email link, Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive and Box.
- Choose a one time archive or an export that repeats every 2 months for one year.
- Choose zip or tgz and a maximum archive size.
- Select Create export.
Google states that export creation can take minutes to a few days and most people receive the link the same day.
What Fixes a Failed or Slow Export?
- Create another archive. Google states this often fixes the problem.
- Export fewer products. Download one product at a time when the full set fails.
- Lower the maximum archive size. Large exports split into several archives and the 50 GB option reduces splitting.
- Send the export to a storage service. Google names Box as an example.
Which Limits can Look Like a Failure?
| Limit | What Google states |
|---|---|
| Link life | Download links expire after about 7 days |
| Downloads | Every archive downloads 5 times before you request a new one |
| Time range | Exports by date range are not supported |
| Late changes | Edits made after the request may not appear |
| Admin rules | Workspace administrators can restrict downloads |
Open archives on a desktop computer. Every archive contains an archive_browser.html file that explains the data formats. Tgz files may need extra software on Windows.
Missing YouTube videos may sit under a Brand Account. Sign in to the Google Account that owns it and switch to that Brand Account.
Downloading does not remove data from Google servers. For related guides see restoring deleted files from Google Drive and Google Drive data encryption.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Google Takeout Fail?
Google gives no single cause. It advises you to create another archive, export fewer products or lower the archive size.
How Long do Takeout Download Links Last?
About 7 days. You can download every archive 5 times.
How Long does a Takeout Export Take?
From minutes to a few days. Most people receive the link the same day.
Can I Export Only a Date Range?
No. Google states that exports by time range are not supported.
Does Takeout Delete My Data From Google?
No. Downloading does not remove your data from Google servers.
Key Takeaways
- Create another archive first when Takeout fails.
- Export fewer products or choose a smaller archive size.
- Links last about 7 days and archives download 5 times.
- Takeout cannot export by date range.
- Storage services like Box are another delivery option.
Sources and References
Facts follow the Google Account Help page.
- Download your data (Google Account Help) support.google.com