How to deal with "conflicting accounts" in Google

Google Apps has recently made some updates that require users to change how they log into mail and other Google services. If you get a message that says you have a "conflicting account," here's a general outline on how to resolve it. Depending on your situation, you may see different screens and be offered different choices.

Caution! Read the documentation carefully! We have no way of retrieving any data if you do not follow Google's instructions.

Let's say you have an email account called me@acmexyz.org that is managed by the organization you work for, and you've used this address to sign up for Blogger, Google Groups, Picasa or other Google services.

When you log in to your email account, you might see a screen like this that says "An update to your account is required". Follow the information on this screen and the items linked from it, then click the "Get started" button at the bottom left.

On the next screen, you will see a couple of options. Decide which one is appropriate for your needs. If you want to continue using the same email address you have been using to log into Google services, click the link that says "Move data to your organization's account".

You will now be on a screen that says "Moving data between Google Accounts, 1. Review your accounts." Read the instructions, then look below the blue box in the left column, and you'll see a plus (+) sign next to "Google products used" and a number. Click the plus sign and the products will be listed. In the example below, Picasa Web Albums and YouTube are listed.

Now, below the gray box in the right column, you will see a button that says "Sign in to this account". Click it.

You will now be on a screen that says "Moving data between Google Accounts, 2. Sign in to the account receiving the data". At the right side of this screen, enter your email address (like me@acmexyz.org) and your email password (the one you use to get your mail for that address). Click the "Sign in" button.

You will now (probably) be taken to a screen titled "Important changes to your account". Read the information, then click the "I accept. Continue to my account." button.

You will now be on a screen that says "Moving data between Google Accounts, 3. Select product data to move". In the left column under the blue box, you'll see "Google products used" and a number. Below is a list of products. Check the ones you want to use -- in the example below, you could check Picasa and YouTube. Now scroll down to the gray box near the bottom of the page, read its contents, and check all four of the checkboxes. Then click the box marked "I accept. Move this data."

You will now be on a screen that says "Moving data between Google Accounts, 4. Check results". In the left column below the blue box, you will see progress toward moving your data. In the example below, YouTube was moved successfully, but Picasa was not. If you get a similar message, follow the instructions for moving your data manually.