Alumni Email Accounts

This transfer tool that allows you to perform a direct transfer from UVA Google to a personally owned Google account for specific services like Gmail and Drive. This tool transfers data from one Google account to another, allowing for a smoother transition. 

Step-by-Step Instructions

• Sign In: Log into the UVA Google account that holds the data you want to move.
• Go to Transfer Page: Open your browser and go to takeout.google.com/transfer.
• Enter Destination: Type the email address of the personal Google Account where you want the data to go.
• Send Code: Click Send code, then check the inbox of your destination account for a confirmation email from Google.
• Verify: Open the email and select Get confirmation code; a new tab with the code will appear.
• Enter Code: Go back to the Takeout Transfer page, enter the code, and click Verify.
• Select Content: Choose which products (Drive, Photos, Contacts, etc.) and specific folders you want to copy.
• Start Transfer: Click Start transfer. The process begins and can take a few hours to a week, with a confirmation email sent when done. 

This archiving tool allows you to download your data to your computer or hard drive in Zip files. This tool is not recommended because the exported files are zip files that may be difficult to unpack or organize.  

Step-by-Step Instructions

• Sign In: Go to takeout.google.com and sign in to your Google Account if prompted.
• Deselect All: Click "Deselect all" at the top to start fresh, then scroll down and select only the services you want to export (e.g., YouTube, Calendar, Photos).
• Customize Data (Optional): For some services, click "All data included" to deselect specific labels or data types (like certain YouTube watch history).
• Next Step: Scroll to the bottom and click "Next step".
• Choose Delivery:
  • Method: Select "Send download link via email," "Add to Drive," or other cloud services (Dropbox, OneDrive).
  • Frequency: Choose "Export once" or schedule recurring exports.
  • File Type & Size: Select .zip or .tgz and choose a file size (e.g., 2GB, 4GB) for large archives.
• Create Export: Click "Create export" to start building your archive.
• Download: Wait for Google to email you a download link (check spam!), then click the link in the email to download your file(s). 

This decision was not made lightly. When UVA first began offering Google accounts in 2007, cyberattacks were far less prevalent and Google services were free for higher education institutions. Today, the landscape has shifted: 

• Cybersecurity threats have grown in both frequency and sophistication, with alumni Google accounts increasingly targeted.
• Technology vendors, including Google, have shifted from free offerings to increasingly expensive cost-based models. 

Yes. All @alumni.virginia.edu email addresses and associated Google accounts are retiring beginning June 30, 2026. 

If you also have an @virginia.edu email address, there are several considerations that will determine the path forward for your account. Please visit the ITS Information Technology Services project page to learn more. 

Limiting access to University-related email and storage accounts to the duration of active affiliation is now the standard in higher education, this change brings UVA into similar practices with peer institutions such as:

• Virginia Tech – Currently undergoing this change.
• Vanderbilt
• Duke University
• Penn State
• University of South Florida
• University of Minnesota
• Princeton University
• … and many, many more.

Practices at other institutions are widely published and available via an internet search. 

For help logging in to your @alumni.virginia.edu account, please submit a support request to our team by emailing alumniemail@engagementuva.zendesk.com. Please allow 3 business days for a response to your support ticket. 

For help logging into your @virginia.edu, please visit UVA ITS Password Help & ID Lookup.