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I currently use my new domain as additional domain for my free Google Apps account but I actually would like to use it as the primary one. Unfortunately I read that it is only possible to change the primary domain by creating a new account. This would mean I would have to start paying for the account (I actually only use the mail function).

Is there a possibility to keep the free account but change the domain?

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    This actually is possible. I'd like to post as an answer, but I don't have the rep for it. Basically, you need to add a secondary domain (not an alias) and then execute this Google Directory API request: PUT https://www.googleapis.com/admin/directory/v1/customers/my_customer?fields=customerDomain&key={YOUR_API_KEY} {"customerDomain": "my_new_domain.com"}. More details at saysjen.com/….
    – Charlie Schliesser
    Commented Oct 30, 2015 at 19:33
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    See my answer at webapps.stackexchange.com/a/86110/55243 for more info.
    – Charlie Schliesser
    Commented Oct 30, 2015 at 19:40
  • Someone wrote an article on how to do this: isaumya.com/…
    – Michael Cole
    Commented Apr 6, 2016 at 17:10
  • @CharlieS As of early 2017, this is no longer an option: it is explicitly blocked by Google (even via the API) for Trial accounts.
    – AviD
    Commented Mar 13, 2017 at 13:44

3 Answers 3

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As you already read from the Google support pages:

at this time you can't change which domain is your primary domain.

You can't do it. So there is no way of "keeping" your free Google apps plan if you insist on changing the primary domain. However, keeping the primary domain is not usually a problem if all you want to do is change the "Organization name". You can change the Organization name under Domain Settings -> General. Once you add the new domain name to the account you can also log in at google.com/a/newdomainname.com.

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    What if "primarydomain.com" expires, but linked "newdomain.com" does not? Can you still continue to use newdomain? IMHO discontinuing free GAFYD is just a really crap decision by google. F them.
    – g33kz0r
    Commented Aug 13, 2013 at 19:52
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    @g33kz0r I have an expired domain for 2 years as my primary domain. I can't receive emails from that domain obviously, but the account in general is fine.
    – Andrew Wei
    Commented Feb 26, 2014 at 22:03
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    You should be careful with that. If someone else registers your expired domain, they can use the CNAME records to reset account password and take control of your account. Related reading : techcrunch.com/2011/05/18/…
    – user
    Commented Mar 4, 2014 at 14:58
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    The page now gives instructions on how to change the Primary domain with the Directory API, but this looks pretty advanced with no safety net. Anyone tried this?
    – Michael Cole
    Commented Apr 6, 2016 at 17:05
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    @MichaelCole As of early 2017, this is no longer an option: it is explicitly blocked by Google (even via the API) for Trial accounts.
    – AviD
    Commented Mar 13, 2017 at 13:46
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If you use Google Apps Acounts with expired domains, the new owner can get the control of Google Apps Account.

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I have running accounts where the primary domain is actually expired and use them via additional names and everything seems to work (for now).

Google is obviously "cleaning" old apps free accounts at the moment so perhaps they one day decide to check the primary domain against root domain server but I doubt they deactivate them if that account also includes active additional domain names.

By the way the "domains" feature is sort of "hidden" now under "More Tools" (bottom of screen) on the main icons admin screen.

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    As I posted in response to another comment above, If someone else registers your expired domain, they can use the CNAME records to reset account password and take control of your account. Related reading : techcrunch.com/2011/05/18/…
    – user
    Commented Mar 4, 2014 at 14:59

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