Google Workspace guide
What is Google Vault?
Google Vault is Google Workspace’s information governance and eDiscovery service. Organizations use it to retain, place holds on, search, and export supported data.
Its role is to help authorized people find and preserve organizational records. For example, a team might need to locate messages relevant to an internal investigation or preserve information for a legal matter.
Supported data includes Gmail messages and Drive files, alongside other Workspace services. Coverage and limitations vary by service. Google’s Vault overview ↗
How to sign in to Google Vault
- Open vault.google.com.
- Sign in with your organization’s Google Workspace account.
- Complete any verification required by your organization.
- Open the Vault tools available to your account.
Who can access Google Vault?
| Requirement | What to check |
|---|---|
| Organization account | Use the correct Google Workspace account. |
| Vault license | Your account has the required license through your Workspace edition or an eligible add-on. |
| Service access | Your administrator has enabled Vault for your account. |
| Vault privileges | Your assigned role allows the actions you need to perform. |
A license, service access, and privileges serve different purposes. Being able to open Vault does not necessarily mean you can search data, manage retention, or export results.
Do you need to be a super administrator?
Your organization can assign a role containing specific Vault privileges. One person might manage retention while another can search and export records. A super administrator can create and assign these roles.
Google’s guide to Vault privileges ↗What can you do with Google Vault?
Retain records
Configure rules that govern how long supported organizational data is kept.
Preserve information
Place supported data on hold so it remains available for a relevant matter.
Search and export
Find records by account, date, or search term, and export matching results for review.
Getting started
If you have been given access
Start with the task your organization has assigned you. Confirm which records you are authorized to work with and whether you need search, export, hold, or retention privileges.
If you are setting up Vault
Begin with licensing and user access, then establish your organization’s retention requirements. Google recommends involving the people responsible for legal and information governance requirements when configuring Vault.
Retention settings affect how information is preserved and deleted, so they should reflect an agreed policy. Follow Google’s organization setup guide before configuring retention or holds.
Common access issues
Your account cannot use Vault
Check which account is signed in. If it is a personal Gmail account, switch to your organization’s Workspace account.
You see an “Invalid Request” message
Your account may lack permission to access the service. Ask your administrator to check whether Vault is enabled for you.
Vault opens, but you cannot use its features
Your account may lack the necessary Vault privileges. Ask your administrator to review your assigned role.
Access was recently enabled
Service-access changes can take up to 24 hours, although they usually happen sooner. If access is still unavailable, ask your administrator to recheck the settings.
Google’s sign-in troubleshooting ↗Frequently asked questions
Is Google Vault a backup service?
Vault is designed for retention and eDiscovery. Its rules operate on supported Google service data, and it should not be treated as a separate backup archive. Data availability depends on retention, holds, licensing, and service-specific behaviour.
Can I use a personal Gmail account?
No. Use an eligible Google Workspace account supplied by your organization.
Does enabling Vault give everyone access to company records?
No. Enabling the service and granting privileges are separate controls. Administrators determine which Vault functions a person can use.
Can someone search records without managing retention?
Yes. An administrator can assign a role with search privileges while withholding retention-management privileges.
Where do I request access?
Contact the person or team that manages Google Workspace for your organization. Explain which task you need to perform so they can assess the appropriate access.
Content reviewed: September 9, 2026. Refer to linked Google documentation for current requirements.