How to Migrate Google Workspace Domain to Microsoft 365?

Can I move my domain from Google Workspace to Microsoft 365? Yes, you can, and here in this article, I will explain how to transition from Google Workspace to Microsoft 365. A lot of things I have explained in this guide, such as why you need to move the domain, preparations for the process, steps to move the domain from Google to Microsoft, migrate your data, post-migration steps, and common issues and fixes.

Many businesses, from small companies to large enterprises, use Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 for managing their day-to-day activities. There comes a time when they have to change their domain setup from Google to the  Microsoft ecosystem.

Moving your domain means keeping your same domain name, and only the service provider changes. But why do users move from Google to Microsoft 365?

Why Transfer Domain from Google to Microsoft?

The need to move the domain arises when an organization’s operation or technical requirements change. Below are the common scenarios.

• For branding and email consistency, they move the existing domain to Microsoft 365. Also, they adopt Microsoft tools like Outlook, Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive as primary collaboration tools.
• Some businesses heavily rely on Outlook or Exchange-based workflows. By moving the domain, they can have a native Exchange Online configuration and advanced mail control.
• Microsoft 365 provides advanced security controls such as Microsoft Defender, Conditional Access, Advanced audit logs, and Compliance policies.
• In case of a merger or acquisition, companies move the domain to a single Microsoft Tenant instead of multiple environments.
• Microsoft 365 is great for centralized admin control as it offers deeper admin and identity controls using Entra ID or Azure AD. It is easy for them to manage the identity and access management.
• When a business expands its workforce, Microsoft 365 is a better choice over Google Workspace regarding structured collaboration, shared mailboxes, and enterprise file systems.

Pay Attention – Before you start!
Domain change affects your email routing and authentication. You must know these:

• You must have domain admin access and DNS control at your registrar.
• During DNS propagation, email delivery may pause.
• DNS updates can take 24-48 hours.
• Export or back up your important mailbox data first.

Preparations for Moving Domain

Moving a domain is a critical task that requires careful attention to the procedure. For this, you have to first prepare for the process. Below are the steps that you should follow.

• First, check if the domain registrar account is accessible. Ensure the admin email is up to date and disable privacy protection so that Microsoft can verify domain ownership.
• By default, domains are locked to protect them from unauthorized transfer. Go to your Google Workspace domain settings and disable the domain lock.
• For your Google Workspace domain, request or copy the EPP/Auth code. This code helps you to verify and approve the domain transfer to Microsoft.
• Ensure that your domain has been registered for at least 60 days, it is not expiring within 15 days, and has no pending transfer or ownership dispute.
• Check your current DNS records like MX, TXT, CNAME, A, etc.
• Experts also recommend backing up your Google Workspace mailbox to prevent any data loss during the domain transfer process.
• Make sure your Microsoft 365 Admin Center is active and properly functioning.

How to Transfer Domain from Google to Microsoft?

After completing the preparations, you can now add your Google Workspace domain to Microsoft. Here, I will also explain how to set up the new domain as the primary email.

1. First, log in to the Microsoft 365 admin center using your administrator account.
2. In the admin center, select the Show all option from the left panel.
3. Click Settings and then select Domains.
4. Select Add domain, type your domain name. Choose Use this domain.
5. Add a TXT record to your domain’s DNS records. Press the Continue button and copy the TXT value.
6. Go to your Google Admin Console and select Domains, Manage domains, View Details, Manage domain, DNS, and Custom resource records.
7. Now, open the record drop-down, select TXT.
8. Paste the TXT value that you copied and click Add.
9. It may take 48 hours to update the records.
10. Return to the admin center, choose the Verify option, and click Close.
11. To set the domain as the primary email, navigate to the Users.
12. Select the Active users option.
13. Choose a user and then Manage username and email, Edit option.
14. Click your domain, then hit Done and Save the changes.
15. To update the email addresses of all users, repeat the above steps.

By following these steps, you can successfully migrate the domain from Google to Microsoft. Next, I have provided a post-domain migration step to ensure a smooth transition.

Migrate Google Data to Microsoft

Most users also prefer to move their emails along with transferring their domain. If you also want to migrate your data, you can use the SysTools G Suite to Office 365 Migration Tool. It is a professional software that can easily transfer your data to your Microsoft 365 without any issues. Users do not need an additional utility to migrate their emails. Just provide the necessary details, and the software can transfer your Google data to Microsoft efficiently. After transferring the data, there are additional steps you should pay attention.

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Domain Post Migration Steps

• Once you have switched your domain from Google to Microsoft, carefully update DNS records in Microsoft 365. Also, remove the old Google MX records to avoid conflicts.
• Send and receive test emails to verify proper mail delivery.
• Reconfigure your Microsoft apps, like Exchange Online, SharePoint, Teams, and OneDrive, to the recently added domain.
• Enable domain lock and turn on 2-step verification for the Microsoft admin account to secure your domain.

Common Problems & Fixes After Domain Transfer

While transferring a domain, you might encounter some problems. To help you in this, I have provided solutions that you can use.

• Emails are not displayed after changing your domain: The reason can be that old Google MX records are still active, the Microsoft MX record is not set as priority, or Changes in DNS are not fully propagated. To fix it, remove all the old Google Workspace MX records, properly connect Microsoft 365 MX records, and set the correct priority value. Wait for 24-48 hours for DNS propagation
• Domain is not verified in Microsoft 365: Possible reasons include an incorrect TXT record, the TXT record is added to the wrong DNS zone, extra spaces or quotes were added, etc. To fix it, properly add TXT values in the Microsoft admin center, check the record type is TXT, not SPF or CNAME, and for visibility, use a public DNS checker.
• Users are unable to sign in with the new domain: This is because the primary domain is not assigned to all users, usernames are not updated after adding a domain, or an alias is added, but not as the primary. Set the new domain as the primary domain for all users, and clear the cached credentials in Outlook to resolve the problem.

These are the common issues and their fixes. To check these problems, run a post-transfer check to ensure everything works smoothly.

Final Words

There are many benefits of transferring the domain from Google to Microsoft. Therefore, in this article, I have provided clear steps to move the domain. Before that, I discussed the preparations that you must do before the process. Then, follow the post-migration steps to ensure the transition is successful. If you face any problem after the domain transfer, use the solutions that I have mentioned above.

Also Read:

• How to Change Office 365 Domain?
• How to Migrate Gmail to Office 365?