The Wistorix tool to request ownership in Google Drive asks the person who owns a file to transfer it to you. The original file keeps its version history, comments and shared links. Only the owner changes.
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Take over the file instead of copying it
Making a copy loses the version history, the comments and the links you already sent to clients. When you request ownership in Google Drive, the original file stays as it is: only the owner changes, and everything else stays in place.
Send requests for many files at once
Select the files other people own from your scan results and request ownership. The current owner gets an email asking them to transfer ownership, and once they accept, the files are yours.
Use it before the handover date
Send the request while the person who holds the files is still around, rather than waiting until their account is suspended. On your next scan, the transferred files show up among the files you own.
How to request ownership of Google Drive files
- Scan your Drive. Install the Wistorix Chrome extension, sign in with the account that should receive the files and run a scan. Scanning is free.
- Open files other people own. Wistorix separates the files you own from files others shared with you. Look through the second group for the important files you need.
- Request ownership. Select the files and send the request. Once the owner accepts, the files move to you and stay in the same place.
How it differs from transferring ownership
A transfer is started by the owner: they pick the files and hand them to you. A request works the other way round: you ask, and they accept. Use a request when the person holding the files is busy or doesn't know which files to hand over. When you are the owner, use bulk ownership transfer instead.
Google's rules to know
- On Google Workspace, ownership can only move between people in the same organization
- The current owner has to accept before the file changes hands
- An ownership transfer has no automatic undo. To give a file back, the new owner transfers it back
Related tools
- Bulk Transfer Ownership in Google Drive
- Export a Google Drive File List with Permissions
- Bulk Revoke Access in Google Drive
- All Google Drive tools
- Ownership transfer
Read more on the blog
Frequently asked questions
What if the owner doesn't accept?
The file stays with its current owner. Talk to them directly, or ask your Google Workspace admin for help before that account is deleted.
Can I request files from someone at another company?
Not on Google Workspace, because Google only allows ownership transfers within the same organization. Ask for edit access or ask them to send you a copy.
Do old links still work after I become the owner?
Yes. The file keeps its location and sharing settings. Only the owner changes.
Is requesting ownership free?
Scanning and viewing files that other people own is always free. A paid plan applies when you act on a large number of files.
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