Upgrade from G Suite legacy free edition

Get premium collaboration tools, more storage, and the best of Google AI

In 2022 we transitioned known business accounts to Google Workspace, and we made clear that G Suite legacy free edition is only available for personal non-commercial use. 

Google may occasionally review domains that have G Suite legacy free edition subscriptions. If we suspect these domains are being used for commercial purposes, we may:

  • Contact account administrators and direct them to switch to a paid Google Workspace plan. 
  • Suspend accounts that continue to use G Suite legacy free edition subscriptions for commercial purposes.

Important: Google does not use private customer data for policy enforcement.  

Accounts that are using G Suite legacy free edition for commercial purposes must transition to a paid Google Workspace subscription. 

Note: If you feel that your account has been incorrectly identified as a business account, you can file an appeal.

Upgrade to Google Workspace

When you upgrade in the Admin console, you immediately switch to a paid Google Workspace subscription.

Upgrade to a paid Google Workspace subscription to unlock 24/7 support and access to premium collaboration, additional storage, and the best of Google AI.

Not sure which subscription to choose? Go to Choose your Google Workspace subscription.

Upgrade to a paid subscription of Google Workspace

Upgrade to a paid subscription of Google Workspace

  1. Sign in with an administrator account to the Google Admin console.

    If you aren’t using an administrator account, you can’t access the Admin console.

  2. Next to the edition that you want to switch, click Upgrade, Downgrade, or Switch.
  3. Review the impact that this change will have, then click Next.
  4. Select a payment plan:
    • Flexible Plan—No long-term commitment, pay for the users you have each month, and add or remove users as needed.
    • Annual Plan (Monthly Payment)—Requires a 1-year contract, pay monthly for users committed upfront, and add users as needed. You can increase the number of users in the users needed field. If you select this plan, billing starts immediately.
  5. Click Checkout.
  6. Enter your billing informationand thenclick Place Order.

G Suite legacy free edition transition questions

Below are some common questions about transitioning from G Suite legacy free edition.

General

Why should I upgrade to Google Workspace?

Depending on the Google Workspace plan you choose, you will gain access to a number of features and benefits:
My personal account has been incorrectly flagged as a business account. What should I do?

The primary account admin should check their email for a message with the following subject:

Upgrade to a paid Google Workspace subscription

This email includes the transition timeline as well as details about how to file an appeal with Google. Note that we can only review appeals from the account's primary admin.

Why do I need to set up billing?

If you want to continue using Google Workspace, you need to set up Google Workspace billing; otherwise your subscription will be suspended and then canceled after 60 days. Read more about suspended accounts below.

What happens if my account is suspended?

In the first 60 days of suspension, your admin can still access the Admin console and set up billing to lift the suspension or export your data. You won't be able to access your Google Workspace core services and data, including Gmail, Calendar, Drive, and Meet. Additional Google services, such as YouTube, Google Maps, and Google Photos, will continue to be available.

When you try to sign in to your Google Workspace core services, you'll get one of these messages:

  • "We are sorry, but you do not have access to <service>. Please contact your Organization Administrator for access."
  • "Your organization's Google Workspace account has been suspended. Please contact your Google Workspace Organization Administrator to re-activate your organization."

To restore your suspended account, your administrator needs to set up Google Workspace billing. If your administrator is not available, go to If the administrator is not available, can a user become an admin?

After 60 days of suspension, your subscription will be canceled. Learn about the Cancel Google Workspace process. To restore your account, complete this account recovery form

More

Why can’t I access support?

As we previously communicated, G Suite legacy free edition doesn't include support. When you upgrade to a paid Workspace subscription, you gain access to 24/7 support.

If the administrator is not available, can a user become an admin?

Yes. Current users can ask to become an administrator on the account by completing the Account Recovery Form. For detailed instructions, go to If you're a user and can't contact your administrator.

If the domain registration verification is successful and none of the existing administrators object, the user will be promoted to the super administrator role.

Who is my administrator? Your administrator is the person who originally signed you up for the G Suite legacy free edition account.

Can I transfer my data out of Google?

If you want to move your data, your administrator can export your organization’s data and cancel your legacy subscription. If you want to retrieve data from additional Google services, you can export your data (including Google Workspace and additional Google services) with Google Takeout at takeout.google.com. The administrator will need to have Google Takeout enabled.

What happens to my Drive add-on storage if I keep the legacy G Suite free edition?
Existing Drive add-on storage will continue to function with G Suite legacy free edition. If you have legacy add-on storage and keep the no-cost subscription for personal use, you can continue using your previously purchased storage. Once you are on pooled storage, you can purchase additional storage at a discount for your organization in the Admin console. For more details, go to Free up or get more storage for your organization.
I received a notification about pooled storage. What does it mean for me?
  • If you completed your upgrade to Google Workspace—Your account was moved from per-user storage to pooled storage.
  • If you’re on G Suite legacy free edition for personal use—Starting May 1, 2025, your account will be moved from per-user storage to pooled storage. The total amount of storage you currently have will not be reduced as part of this change.
Learn more about Google Workspace storage.
What happens to my Voice account when I switch to Google Workspace?

If you’re using Google Voice, your existing configuration settings and linked phone numbers will stay the same and your users won’t lose any existing Voice data. After you transition to Google Workspace, you need to set up Voice with Google Workspace for your organization before users can sign up for new Voice accounts. For details, go to Set up Voice for your organization.

After I upgraded I lost my Discover feed. How can I get it back?

If you stopped getting your Discover feed after you updated to Google Workspace, your administrator needs to follow the instructions in Turn Search and Assistant on or off for users.

If your mobile device is managed by your organization, your administrator also needs to take these steps:

  1. Sign in with an administrator account to the Google Admin console.

    If you aren’t using an administrator account, you can’t access the Admin console.

  2. Go to  Menu and then Devices > Mobile & endpoints > Settings > Universal.

    Requires having the Mobile Device Management administrator privilege.

  3. Click Data Accessand thenGoogle Assistant.
  4. Check the box for Allow Google Assistant for iOS and Android.
 

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