Leave Google

The order matters more than the tools. Do the photos first because that is the one you would regret losing, and leave mail for last because it is the only step that can fail in public. Keep the Google account while you migrate: deleting it early is the mistake people make on day one.

1. 01

   Move the photos

   An evening, plus a night of upload

   Take an export in batches of a year or two rather than one 200GB file. Point Immich at the folder, let it index, and only then start the phone backup.

   Instead of Google Photos

2. 02

   Move the files

   A weekend

   Nextcloud for the folder and the sharing links. The shared links you sent to other people will change, so re-send the ones that matter.

   Instead of Google Drive

3. 03

   Move the documents

   An afternoon

   Export to .docx and open them in Nextcloud Office. Anything with a live collaborator on the other end stays in Google until that project ends.

   Instead of Google Docs and Sheets

4. 04

   Move the calendar

   An hour

   CalDAV import, then re-share the calendars. Invites from outside your domain mostly still work; check the ones that matter before a meeting.

   Instead of Google Calendar

5. 05

   Move the mail

   A week of evenings

   Last, always. A clean IP, SPF, DKIM and DMARC before the first message, and a month of forwarding from the old address so nothing is lost.

   Instead of Gmail

Every step links to a judged swap: what to run, what it costs, and what you lose.