Change Google Apps Primary Domain (Switch from Secondary Domain)

All Google Apps accounts requires a primary domain, for example, techjourney.net. When you change the domain name, you may want to change the primary domain for Google Apps too so that it’s reflecting the new domain name change, especially when you no longer use or control the old domain, or plan to let the old domain expires.

This tutorial guides you on how to change the primary domain on Google Apps by utilizing an official API provided by Google. It works on subscription-based Google Apps for Work (formerly Google Apps for Business) and free grandfathered Google Apps legacy accounts.

For legacy grandfathered Google Apps Free Edition account, perform the following steps. If you’re using Google Apps for Work with paid subscription, skip to next section.

1. Login to the Google Admin for your Google Apps account.
2. Upgrade to a paid account by select UPGRADE NOW button on the Admin console home page, or by going to Billing and select UPGRADE TO GOOGLE APPS FOR WORK.

   

   Note

   Google provides 30 days enterprise trial for upgrading to Google Apps for Work, which means you can upgrade and enjoy full features without paying for 30 days and without the need to enter credit card.
3. Fill up the form, tick the check box for “I have read and agree to the Google Apps for Work agreement” and hit I accept! Upgrade my account to proceed.
4. Once successfully upgraded (which should be done instantly), proceed to next section.

The following steps will guide you on how to add the new domain to your Google Apps account, and then set it as the primary domain.

1. On Google Admin console, select Domains.
   Note

   If you can’t see “Domains” icon, click or tap on MORE CONTROLS as the bottom of the console.

   

   Alternatively, just visit https://admin.google.com/AdminHome#DomainsDetails:.

2. Click or tap on Add/remove domains, or visit https://admin.google.com/AdminHome#Domains:.
3. Click or tap on the ADD A DOMAIN OR A DOMAIN ALIAS button.

   

4. Select the radio button of Add another domain, and then enter the new domain name which you want to use on Google Apps. Hit CONTINUE AND VERIFY DOMAIN OWNERSHIP button when done.

   

5. Follow the domain verification wizard provided by Google to verify your domain.
6. Once the new domain is verified, visit the following URL:

   https://developers.google.com/admin-sdk/directory/v1/reference/customers/update

7. Click or tap on Try it now to update a customer.

   

8. Enter the following values for 2 text boxes:

   customerKey: my_customer
   fields: customerDomain

9. click or tap on the box for Request body to reveal the drop down — add a property — selection box). In the drop down list, select customerDomain.
10. In the customerDomain field of “Request body”, enter the secondary domain (new domain) which you want to make primary domain.

    Note: Domain name should be entered without www (i.e. typically the domain listed in email address after the @).

    

11. Click or tap on AUTHORIZE and EXECUTE button.
12. If prompted to select OAuth 2.0 Scopes, make sure https://www.googleapis.com/auth/admin.directory.customer which allows access to view and manage customer related information is selected, and then click or tap on AUTHORIZE and EXECUTE button again.
13. Hit Allow again to grant Google APIs Explorer access.

    

14. The new domain, which was initially added as secondary domain, is now the primary domain for the Google Apps Account. You can open or refresh the Domains app in Admin Console to view the change.

For Google Apps for Works paid subscription account, the change of primary domain on Google Apps is basically done. For legacy free Google Apps account, if you want to keep your free Google Apps account after 30 days, it’s IMPORTANT to cancel the Google Apps for Works subscription and downgrade to free account. Follow these steps to do it:

1. On Google Admin console, select Users.
   Note

   If you can’t see “Users” icon, click or tap on MORE CONTROLS as the bottom of the console.
2. Select a user, go to Account, click or tap on Edit link below Basic information. Select the new primary domain from the drop down list after the @, and hit UPDATE.

   

   Repeat for all existing users who are using the old domain as their email address.

   Note

   After updating the domain suffix of the users, they will be automatically logged out. Log in again using the new email with new primary domain name and same password.
3. Go back to Google Admin console Home, select Groups.
   Note

   If you can’t see “Groups” icon, click or tap on MORE CONTROLS as the bottom of the console.

   Alternatively, just visit https://admin.google.com/AdminHome#GroupList:.

4. Select a group, and click or tap on “Pen” icon to change group info. Select the new primary domain from the drop down list after the @ for group email, and hit SAVE GROUP INFO.

   

   Repeat for all existing groups which are using the old domain as their email address.

5. Go back to Google Admin console Home select Domains.
   Note

   If you can’t see “Domains” icon, click or tap on MORE CONTROLS as the bottom of the console.

   Alternatively, just visit https://admin.google.com/AdminHome#DomainsDetails:.

6. Click or tap on Add/remove domains, or visit https://admin.google.com/AdminHome#Domains:.
7. At the end of the line of old domain (now becomes secondary domain), click on REMOVE. Click or tap on REMOVE again when asked to confirm removal.

   Note: You are unable to delete a domain if it’s been used by any user, group, alias and etc. Fix all of them in order to be able to remove a domain.

   If you have additional secondary domains, you must remove ALL OF THEM.
8. Once all secondary domain is deleted (only primary domain and domain aliases are listed), go back to Google Admin console Home, select Billing
9. Click or tap on three vertical dots at the end of the “Google Apps for Works” listed under “Subscription”, and select Cancel subscription.

   

10. Select the radio button of Downgrade to Google Apps, and hit Continue.
11. Hit I ACCEPT to accept the Google Apps (Free) Agreement.
12. You’re now back to legacy free Google Apps edition.