Can't download large file from Google Drive as one single folder, always splits into multiple parts

Question

I was able to download a file (over 70GB when already uploaded as a zip file) with no problems 6 months ago but now it splits everything into multiple zip files? Why is this?

Answer 1

You can also use Google's Takeout system for downloading one large folder from Google Drive. It allows up to 50GB .zip files.

Here are the main steps:

1. In Google Drive temporarily move the folder you want to download to the top level of your drive (the "My Drive" folder).
2. Go to https://takeout.google.com/settings/takeout

3. On Step 1: Select data to include deselect all except for Drive. Then click the "All Drive Selected" button

4. Uncheck "Include all files and folders in Drive", select the one folder you want. Then proceed to the next step

5. Under "File type & size" be sure to change the folder size to 50GB.

6. Confirm and wait for the download link via email

Notes:

• This assumes you are the owner of the files.
• Don't forget to move your folder back to it's original location afterwards

Answer 2

Chunk zipping is a new Google Drive standard for downloading a large bundle of files (or single file) from the internet. You can try this tutorial on how to download a file from Google Drive using the command line API:

1. Get the file ID:

• go to your Google Drive
• right-click the file you want to download
• click on Get shareable link
• link looks like this: https://drive.google.com/open?id=xxx where xxx is the ID you will need after few more steps

2. Get an OAuth token:

• go to OAuth 2.0 Playground
• under Select the Scope box, scroll down to Drive API v3
• expand it and select https://www.googleapis.com/auth/drive.readonly
• click on the blue Authorize APIs button
• login if you are prompted
• and then click on Exchange authorization code for tokens to get a token
• copy the Access token for further use

3. Download the file:

• if you are on Windows open up the PowerShell and run this command:

  Invoke-RestMethod -Uri https://www.googleapis.com/drive/v3/files/xxx?alt=media 
                    -Method Get 
                    -Headers @{"Authorization"="Bearer ttt"} 
                    -OutFile zzz

  • where xxx = file ID
  • ttt is Access token
  • and zzz is output file (Avatar.mkv)
• if you are on OS X or Linux open up the Terminal and run this command:

  curl -H "Authorization: Bearer ttt" https://www.googleapis.com/drive/v3/files/xxx?alt=media 
       -o zzz

Answer 3

As an alternative to using the APIs, install Backup & Sync and download your file that way - it's simpler.