Moving away from godaddy

Roger Mortimer 20 Reputation points
2026-03-12T02:49:18.6966667+00:00

I have a domain that used to be with go daddy but I have subsequently moved it and i want to get the global administrator access on the emails so that I can move those over too. Go daddy refers me to microsoft and microsoft refers me back to go daddy. How do i break the loop and get the global administration access

Microsoft 365 and Office | Subscription, account, billing | For business | Other
0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
AlexDN 11,450 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
2026-03-12T04:12:10.8366667+00:00

Dear @Roger Mortimer,
Welcome to Q&A forum. I understand that you previously had your domain and email set up with GoDaddy, you have now moved the domain elsewhere, and you are trying to get Global Administrator access so you can move or manage your emails.

I would like to clarify that even though your domain registration has been moved, your Microsoft 365 email was originally purchased and provisioned through GoDaddy. Because of that, GoDaddy still manages the Microsoft 365 tenant behind the scenes. This is why access to the Microsoft 365 admin center redirects to GoDaddy, and why Microsoft support cannot directly grant Global Administrator access. This behavior is expected for Microsoft 365 subscriptions that were set up through a reseller like GoDaddy.

To break this loop and regain full Global Administrator access, the Microsoft 365 tenant needs to be removed from GoDaddy management. This process is officially called defederation from GoDaddy. Once this is completed:

  • GoDaddy is removed as the delegated administrator
  • You regain full Global Administrator control
  • You can work directly with Microsoft to manage email, licenses, and settings

Important notes before proceeding:

  • Please do not cancel your Microsoft 365 subscription with GoDaddy before this process is completed, as that can cause service disruption.
  • This process usually requires GoDaddy’s involvement, because they currently manage the tenant.
  • After defederation, users are typically asked to reset their passwords.

For your reference, Microsoft documents this process here: Defederation Process for Microsoft 365 Admins Using GoDaddy

Please understand that our initial response does not always resolve the issue immediately. However, with your help and more detailed information, we can work together to find a solution.

I truly appreciate your patience and understanding. If you have any further questions or need further clarification, please feel free to reach out. I'm looking forward to hearing from you. 

Thank you for your cooperation.

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment". 

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

Was this answer helpful?

0 comments

1 additional answer

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest

  1. AI answer

    2026-03-12T02:49:31.9066667+00:00

    Because the domain and tenant were originally provisioned through GoDaddy, the Microsoft 365 tenant is still tied to GoDaddy’s hosted Microsoft services. That’s why GoDaddy sends to Microsoft and Microsoft sends back to GoDaddy: each side only controls part of the setup.

    To break the loop and get global admin access, the domain must first be released from GoDaddy’s Microsoft 365 environment, and then admin access must be established directly in Microsoft 365.

    Use these steps:

    1. Work with GoDaddy to release the domain from their tenant
      • Explain that the custom domain is still tied to a GoDaddy‑provisioned Microsoft 365 tenant and that this is blocking direct Microsoft 365 admin access.
      • Request that GoDaddy release the custom domain from their Microsoft 365 tenant.
      • Be aware: releasing the domain can temporarily disrupt email services; confirm impact and timing with GoDaddy before proceeding.
    2. Sign in using the default Microsoft tenant admin account
      After GoDaddy releases the domain, direct sign‑in to the Microsoft 365 tenant becomes possible using the default admin account in the form:
      ******@NETORG123456789.onmicrosoft.com (replace with the actual NETORG... ID for the tenant).
      • If the password is unknown, use Forgot my password on the sign‑in page to reset it.
      • If password recovery fails, contact Microsoft 365 support (for business) or Microsoft nonprofit support if this is a nonprofit tenant.
    3. Re‑add or fix the custom domain in Microsoft 365
      Once access to the tenant is restored:
      • Go to the Microsoft 365 admin center and follow the guidance in Add a domain to Microsoft 365 to re‑add or validate the custom domain now that it is no longer controlled by GoDaddy.
      • Update DNS records at the current registrar as instructed so that email and other services point to the Microsoft 365 tenant directly.
    4. If access cannot be recovered
      • If GoDaddy will not or cannot release the domain, only GoDaddy can administer that tenant; Microsoft cannot override their control.
      • If the domain has been released but the NETORG... admin account cannot be recovered, contact Microsoft 365 support and clearly state that the domain was previously tied to a GoDaddy‑provisioned tenant and is now released, but global admin access is lost.

    Key points:

    • Releasing the domain from GoDaddy’s tenant is mandatory before full global admin control can be established directly in Microsoft 365.
    • Use the NETORG...onmicrosoft.com admin account to manage the tenant once the domain is released.
    • For DNS or domain transfer issues, GoDaddy remains the point of contact; for tenant access and admin recovery after release, Microsoft 365 support is the point of contact.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

    Was this answer helpful?

Your answer

Answers can be marked as 'Accepted' by the question author and 'Recommended' by moderators, which helps users know the answer solved the author's problem.