Technical Guide · Updated May 2026

Google Workspace
Admin Console Guide

The complete guide to managing Google Workspace from the Admin Console. User setup, email routing, security policies, device management, billing — all in one place.

User ManagementSecurity PoliciesDevice Management8 Admin FAQs

The Google Workspace Admin Console is the central hub for managing your entire Google Workspace tenant. Whether you are a new admin taking over an existing setup or building a Google Workspace environment from scratch, this guide walks you through every critical section with clear, actionable steps.

We cover the six core admin areas — users, email, security, groups, devices, and billing — plus a quick-reference command table and answers to the most common admin questions. Bookmark this page. You will come back to it.

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User Management

Add, remove, suspend, and manage users across your organization.

1
Add a user
Directory > Users > Add new user. Set name, email, password, and organizational unit (OU). Assign licenses and groups during creation.
2
Suspend or delete
Users > [name] > More > Suspend user (preserves data) or Delete user (requires data transfer or backup first).
3
Password reset
Users > [name] > Security > Password > Reset. Admins can force a password change on next login.
4
Organizational units
Directory > Organizational units. Create OUs for departments (Sales, Engineering, Finance). Apply different policies per OU.

Email & Routing

Configure mail flow, routing rules, and email security policies.

1
MX records
Domains > Manage > Set up MX records. Point to Google's mail servers. Verify with the admin console setup wizard.
2
Email routing rules
Apps > Google Workspace > Gmail > Routing. Set up catch-all addresses, forwarding rules, and mail flow exceptions.
3
Spam & phishing
Security > Authentication > SPF, DKIM, DMARC setup. Security > Rules for spam, bulk senders, and suspicious attachments.
4
Email delegation
Apps > Gmail > User settings. Enable mailbox delegation so assistants can manage executive inboxes.

Security & Compliance

Lock down your Google Workspace tenant with security policies.

1
Two-step verification (2FA)
Security > Authentication > 2-Step Verification. Enforce for all users or specific OUs. Support FIDO2 security keys, authenticator apps, and SMS.
2
Advanced Protection Program
Security > Advanced Protection. Highest security tier — mandatory security keys, restricted third-party access, download scanning.
3
Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
Security > Data protection > Data Loss Prevention. Create rules to prevent sharing of credit cards, SSNs, or custom regex patterns.
4
Context-Aware Access
Security > Access and data control > Context-Aware Access. Restrict app access based on location, device security posture, and IP address.

Groups & Collaboration

Create and manage groups, shared inboxes, and collaboration spaces.

1
Create a group
Directory > Groups > Create group. Choose email address, members, and access level (Public, Team, Restricted).
2
Shared mailboxes
Use Groups with Collaborative Inbox feature. Assign conversations to members, track status, and manage queue workflows.
3
Google Sites
Apps > Google Workspace > Sites. Create internal wikis, project pages, and team homepages. Control who can view or edit.

Device Management

Manage company and personal devices that access Google Workspace.

1
Mobile device management
Devices > Mobile > Settings. Require device encryption, screen lock, and remote wipe capability. Whitelist/blacklist apps.
2
Endpoint verification
Devices > Endpoint verification. Install Chrome extension on laptops to monitor device health and apply access rules.
3
Chrome device management
Devices > Chrome > Settings. Manage Chromebooks with 300+ policies — kiosk mode, guest browsing, printer settings, and extension management.

Billing & Licenses

Manage subscriptions, licenses, and payment methods.

1
View subscriptions
Billing > Subscriptions. See all active plans, renewal dates, and usage. Upgrade or downgrade plans per user.
2
License assignments
Directory > Users > [name] > Licenses. Assign or remove Business Starter, Standard, Plus, or Enterprise licenses per user.
3
Billing alerts
Billing > Payment settings. Set up billing alerts for budget thresholds. Add multiple payment methods and backup credit cards.
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Quick Reference: Common Admin Tasks

Bookmark this table for instant access to the most frequent admin actions.

TaskAdmin Console PathContext
Admin console URLadmin.google.comAccess your admin console directly
Add a userDirectory > Users > Add new userCreate a new user account
Reset passwordUsers > [name] > Security > PasswordForce password reset
Enable 2FA enforcementSecurity > Authentication > 2-Step VerificationRequire two-factor auth
Set up MX recordsDomains > Manage > Set up MXConfigure email routing
Create a groupDirectory > Groups > Create groupNew email group
View audit logsReports > AuditTrack admin actions
Manage licensesBilling > SubscriptionsView/edit plans

Frequently Asked Admin Questions

Navigate to admin.google.com and sign in with your admin account. If you do not have admin privileges, contact your Google Workspace administrator. Super admins have full access to all settings. Delegated admins have limited access based on assigned admin roles.

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