Prepare Google administrator recovery dependencies outside the Admin console

Recovery may require domain-DNS control and business account evidence when another super administrator is unavailable.

Source facts

Google recommends maintaining more than one super administrator, each operated by a different person. If self-recovery is unavailable and another super administrator cannot reset access, the documented recovery wizard asks for evidence about the organization’s account. Examples include creation details, the original secondary email address, order or billing information, and user count. Google may also require verification of domain ownership through DNS. The guide recommends spare enrolled security keys and securely stored backup codes as additional recovery preparations.

Source: Google — Administrator security.

Applicability

This applies to Google Workspace super-administrator recovery planning. The available recovery path depends on the account’s settings and situation; keeping evidence does not guarantee that Google will approve a recovery request.

DSE recommendation

DSE recommends keeping a protected recovery record that authorized custodians can reach without the locked account. Identify who controls the domain registrar and DNS platform, and verify that their recovery path is not solely dependent on Workspace email. Record the location of required business evidence rather than copying sensitive billing data into routine helpdesk tickets. Give each administrator a separate identity and test access to approved spare factors. Review custody after staff changes, domain transfers, or a change in billing responsibility.

Verification

Conduct a tabletop exercise in which the primary administrator is unavailable. Confirm that another authorized administrator can sign in, that custodians can locate the recovery record, and that domain-DNS access remains independently recoverable. Do not initiate a real account-recovery request or expose backup codes simply to prove that the procedure exists.

Official reference

Google — Administrator security. Reviewed October 15, 2026.