Google Apps as IdP – SAML

Step 1: Set Up Google Apps as Identity Provider

    Follow these steps to set up Google Apps/GSuite as an Identity Provider:


    Single Sign On using Google Apps/G-Suite, Google Apps/G-Suite SSO Login  1.1 Login as Administrator

      • Go to Google Admin Console and log in with your G Suite administrator account.
      • Navigate to the Apps tab in the left menu and click on Web and mobile apps.
        • Web and mobile apps tab inside Google Admin Console
    Single Sign On using Google Apps/G-Suite, Google Apps/G-Suite SSO Login  1.2 Add a SAML app

      • Click on the Add App, then select Add Custom SAML app from the dropdown to create a new SAML app.
        • Option to add a custom SAML app in Google Admin Console
      • Enter the details for your custom SAML app and click Continue.
        • App details tab inside the Add Custom SAML app wizard
    Single Sign On using Google Apps/G-Suite, Google Apps/G-Suite SSO Login  1.3 IDP Information

      • On the next screen, click on Download Metadata to retrieve data needed to configure your Service Provider.
        • Option to retrieve IDP information
      • Alternatively, you can copy GSuite details like SSO URL, Entity ID and Certificate to configure the Service Provider manually.
        • Google Admin Console details to configure the Service Provider manually
      • Click Continue once you’re done.
    Single Sign On using Google Apps/G-Suite, Google Apps/G-Suite SSO Login  1.4 Service Provider Details

      • Enter details from the Service Provider Metadata tab in the SAML SP plugin.
        • ACS URL Copy and paste the ACS URL from the plugin.
        Entity ID Copy and paste the SP Entity ID/ Issuer from the plugin.
        Signed Response Check Signed Response ✓
        Name ID Format EMAIL
      • Click Continue once you’re done entering the details.
        • Google Apps SSO Login, Service provider details
    Single Sign On into Google Apps/G-Suite, Google Apps/G-Suite SSO Login  1.5 Attribute Mapping

      • Click on Add Mapping to add and select user fields in Google Directory.
        • Provision for attribute mapping in Google Admin Console
      • Next, map them to Service Provider attributes and click Finish once done.
        • Google Admin Console user and group attribute mapping options
    Single Sign On using Google Apps/G-Suite, Google Apps/G-Suite SSO Login  1.6 Turn On SSO

      • Go to SAML Apps again and click on OFF for everyone .
        • SAML App's user access option
      • Then, select ON for everyone to activate SSO.
        • SAML App's service status with ON for everyone option enabled
      • Note: After activating SSO, you can specify which users it applies to. For instance, if you choose organizational units, all users within that unit will be required to use SSO to access G Suite Apps. Likewise, you can choose to enforce SSO for specific groups or all users in the account.