Google Drive File Conversion and Migration Guide
This document explains what Google Drive users need to know about file conversion and the migration away from Google Drive Realtime collaboration in Mindmup. It’s a practical summary for end users. For technical details and administrator tasks, see our migration resource page.
Basic information
How to load old maps
See the guide on loading old maps.
Why am I being asked to convert maps?
You’re being asked to convert maps so you can continue editing them after Google ends support for the Realtime API used by third-party apps like Mindmup.
Until mid-2018, Mindmup relied on this API to store collaborative maps in Google Drive. The conversion process takes your map out of the Realtime format and saves it as a standard file that remains usable going forward.
For security and privacy reasons, Mindmup does not have offline access to your Google Drive files. That means we can’t convert maps without your explicit authorization.
What are the conversion options?
You have two options:
- Keep maps in Google Drive as standard files.
- Move maps into Mindmup for collaborative editing.
Maps stored in Google Drive after conversion are standard files. They work well for single-user editing, but they no longer support safe real-time collaboration.
Which option should I choose?
If you mostly work alone, keeping files in Google Drive is fine.
If you need collaboration or concurrent editing, moving maps to Mindmup is the better option. Maps stored in Mindmup automatically sync changes to collaborators, save continuously, and safely support multiple people editing at the same time.
How to prevent organizational users from taking data out of Google Drive
Team and Organization administrators can block Mindmup storage for their users. This prevents maps from being moved out of Google Drive. See the guide on configuring organizational access for details.
How long can I delay migration?
Google has already ended Realtime API support. Old collaborative maps may still open as read-only, but editing requires conversion. We strongly recommend converting maps as soon as possible to avoid data loss or compatibility issues.
Is there a way to prevent the change or complain?
This change is driven by Google’s platform decisions. If you have paid Google Workspace support, you can raise concerns with your Google account representative. If Google introduces a replacement API, we’ll do our best to support a smooth transition.
How to get more information?
If you need help, contact us at contact@mindmup.com.
If you want to keep using Google Drive
How to convert maps and keep them on Google Drive
When you open a map that needs conversion, you’ll see a reminder banner. Select Change Now to convert the file.
You can also use the menu:
- File › Convert to Drive File
This option appears for old collaborative maps you own or that are stored in shared drives you manage.
What happens if I don’t convert a map?
Most likely, the map will open in read-only mode until you convert it. While Google may still allow exporting content, converting early reduces the risk of data issues or future incompatibilities.
How to migrate multiple files at once
Bulk conversion is not currently supported.
What changes after conversion?
The biggest change is saving behavior.
- Updates are no longer sent to Google Drive automatically.
- You’ll see a Save button and must manually save changes.
- If multiple people edit the same file, changes can overwrite each other.
Mindmup may warn you about remote changes and offer to merge them, but this isn’t a full replacement for real-time collaboration.
On the plus side, you can now use standard Google Drive features like version history, copying files, and Google Classroom integration.
How to restore autosave
For single-user work, you can safely enable autosave:
- File › Turn on Autosave
This saves changes every minute. To disable it:
- File › Turn off Autosave
Autosave is not safe for multi-user editing. For collaboration, use Mindmup instead.
What if several users open the same map?
Changes are not shared automatically. Mindmup checks for updates periodically and may offer merge options, but conflicts are still possible. For real-time collaboration, moving the map to Mindmup is strongly recommended.
If you want to use Mindmup for collaboration
Is storing maps in Mindmup free?
Starter users can create up to five private, non-expiring maps.
Collaboration requires a paid plan (Personal, Team, or Organization). Users on Starter cannot collaborate or sign in to shared maps.
How to sign in
Go to https://app.mindmup.com.
- You can sign in with Google to keep using your existing Google account.
- You can also set a Mindmup password for direct sign-in via Account settings.
Are collaborative maps autosaved?
Yes. Changes are saved automatically and shared with collaborators within seconds.
How to move a map from Google Drive to Mindmup
- Sign in to Mindmup.
- Select File › Import › From Google Drive.
This copies the map into Mindmup. Once you confirm everything looks correct, you can manually delete the original file from Google Drive.
How to move multiple files at once
The import dialog supports selecting multiple files. Use standard operating system shortcuts such as Shift-click or Control-click.
Can I share maps with anyone?
All collaborators need to be covered by a paid Mindmup plan.
- Personal plans allow adding an extra email address.
- Team plans support multiple users with individual logins.
- Organization plans cover all users in the same domain.
What if several users edit the same map?
Mindmup is built for concurrent editing. Changes are synced automatically, and you don’t need to worry about saving or conflicts.
Where are maps stored?
Maps are stored on Amazon Web Services (S3) in US-based data centers. See our privacy and security documentation for details.
How much storage is available?
Each map can be up to 100 MB (excluding attachments). Individual attachments can also be up to 100 MB. Larger limits can be enabled on request.