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How to change the Name Server for your domain in Google Domains

Introduction

This guide explains how to change the Name Server (NS) for you domain in Google Domains so that you can use another service to host the website and emails for the domain.

Changing the Name Server means that you won’t be able to use any of Google Domain’s out of the box features, such as Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC) protection. The alternative is to update the DNS records for your domain to point them to your hosting service. However, this may not allow you full control of the domain via your hosting service (e.g. in cPanel).

Requirements

  1. Google Domains admin account.
  2. Name Server (NS) addresses for your hosting service. These should be available via the admin or support site for your hosting service.

For reference, these instructions were followed in Google Domains on 6 May 2020.

Skill Level

Basic knowledge of domain management.

Instructions

Time needed: 5 minutes.

  1. Log into Google Domains.

    Go to https://domains.google.com/ and log in.

  2. Manage the domain.

    Click My Domains in the main menu.
    Click Manage next to the domain you want to update.Googe Domains My Domains menu option and Manage link - screenshot

  3. Click DNS.

    DNS menu option - screenshot

  4. Disable DNSSEC.

    In the DNSSEC section, click Disable DNSSEC. This is required in order to change the Name Server settings.
    Disable DNSSEC button - screenshot

  5. Save the custom Name Servers.

    In the Name servers section select Use custom name servers.
    In the Name server field, enter the Name Server address provided by your hosting service.
    If necessary, click the + button to add more Name Servers.
    Click Save.Use custom name servers radio button, Name server field, + button and Save button - screenshot

More Info

Google Domains guide to Manage domain name servers: https://support.google.com/domains/answer/3290309

Next Steps

Now that you’ve changed the Name Server for your domain in Google Domains, you’ll probably want to set up the domain on your hosting service. If your hosting service uses cPanel, see How to create an Addon Domain in cPanel.

If your hosting service supports DNSSEC, you should also enable it again via Google Domains. More info: https://support.google.com/domains/answer/6387342