How to Make Someone an Admin on Google Workspace

In every Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) organisation, there are administrators who control user access, security settings, and company-wide tools. Whether you’re trying to reset a password, enable a new service, or assign admin rights to a colleague, knowing who your Google Workspace admin is, and how admin roles work, is essential. This guide explains what a Google Workspace admin does, how to make someone an admin, and how to manage access securely.

What is a Google Workspace admin?

A Google Workspace admin is someone with elevated access to manage your organisation’s Workspace environment. Sometimes called a Google Admin or G Suite Admin, they’re responsible for:

• Adding and removing user accounts
• Managing security settings, such as 2FA and password resets
• Configuring apps and services like Gmail, Drive, and Meet
• Setting organisation-wide policies

Unlike regular users, admins can access the Google Admin Console, where all account management takes place.

How to Make Someone an Admin in Google Workspace

Only an existing admin can give another user admin privileges. The process is carried out in the Admin Console and should be done with care, admins have access to sensitive information, including emails, Drive files, and billing details.

Always assign the minimum level of access needed to protect security and compliance.

What Is an Admin Role in Google Workspace?

Google Workspace uses role-based access control. This means not all admins have the same permissions.

• Super Admin – Full access to all settings, billing, and data. Can assign roles to others.
• User Management Admin – Can manage users but not billing or global security.
• Help Desk Admin – Limited access, usually for resetting passwords and basic support.

Choosing the right role is critical to maintaining security. For example, a junior IT assistant may only need Help Desk access, not full Super Admin rights.

How to make someone an admin in Google Workspace (step-by-step)

To assign admin rights:

1. Log in at admin.google.com with your Super Admin account.
2. From the Admin Console home page, go to Directory > Users.
3. Find the user you want to promote and click their name.
4. Select Admin roles and privileges.
5. Click Assign roles.
6. Choose the appropriate role (e.g. User Management Admin,
7. Super Admin).
8. Click Save.

The user will now have admin privileges immediately.

How to access the Google Admin Console

The Google Admin Console is the central hub for managing Workspace.

• URL: admin.google.com
• Who can access: Only users with admin privileges
• Login: Use your organisation’s email and password

If you’re unsure whether you’re an admin, try logging in, if you don’t see admin controls, you’re not an admin.

How to remove admin privileges in Google Workspace

To revoke admin rights:

1. Log in at admin.google.com.
2. Go to Directory > Users.
3. Select the user.
4. Open Admin roles and privileges.
5. Deselect the assigned role(s).
6. Click Save.

Removing admin rights is often necessary when an employee changes roles, leaves the company, or no longer requires elevated access.

Who can assign admin roles in Google Workspace?

Only admins with sufficient authority, typically Super Admins, can assign or revoke admin roles.

By default, these roles can assign admin access:

• Super Admin
• Custom roles with “assign admin role” permissions enabled

Types of admin roles in Google Workspace

Google Workspace provides several default admin roles:

• Super Admin – Full access to all features and data
• Groups Admin – Manages Google Groups
• User Management Admin – Handles users and passwords
• Help Desk Admin – Basic support permissions
• Services Admin – Manages services like Drive, Gmail, and Meet

You can also create custom roles tailored to your organisation. Always follow the principle of least privilege, only give users the access they need.

How to find the Google Workspace administrator for your organisation

If you’re not an admin and need to contact one:

• Check your Google Workspace account profile (sometimes the admin’s details are listed).
• Ask your IT department or manager.
• Try logging into admin.google.com, if you don’t have access, you’ll be directed to your admin’s email.
• For account recovery, follow the instructions on Google’s support site to locate the admin.

Looking for a Google Workspace Backup Solution? Try BackupVault

Admin rights come with big responsibilities, including protecting your organisation’s data. Even the most careful admins can’t prevent accidental deletions, ransomware, or data loss without a backup.

At BackupVault, we provide a secure, UK-based Google Workspace backup solution covering Gmail, Drive, Shared Drives, Contacts, and Calendars. With full compliance and daily automated backups, you’ll always have peace of mind that your data is safe.

• Explore our Google Workspace backup solution
• Learn more about our full range of cloud backup solutions