General, Guides

How to Remove a Chromebook from a School Management Account (Step-by-Step)

Posted on by Chris Harvey
01
Jul

When schools return ex-lease Chromebooks, one critical step is often overlooked: removing them from the school’s Google Admin console. If a Chromebook is still bound to its management account, it will remain locked down — even if it’s fully wiped and reset.

Whether you’re a school administrator preparing devices for return, or a buyer curious about Chromebook restrictions, here’s everything you need to know about removing enterprise enrollment and making devices resale-ready.

🎓 For Schools: Why You Must Deprovision Before Return

When you enroll a Chromebook into a school’s management platform (via the Google Admin console), it’s locked into Enterprise Enrollment. Even if you factory reset it (Powerwash), it will automatically re-enroll the moment it connects to Wi-Fi.

That means:

  • The device can’t be used outside your domain
  • Features like Guest Mode or developer tools remain blocked
  • The new owner cannot set it up without your intervention

So before returning devices to your provider (like NZ Laptop Wholesale), it’s critical to deprovision them properly.

🔧 Step-by-Step: How to Deprovision Chromebooks via Google Admin Console

You’ll need:

  • Admin-level access to your school or organisation’s Google Admin console
  • Internet access
  • The Chromebook’s serial number (usually printed on the bottom of the device)

✅ Step 1: Sign in to Google Admin

✅ Step 2: Navigate to Device Management

  • Click on Devices > Chrome > Devices
  • You’ll see a list of all enrolled Chrome OS devices

✅ Step 3: Search for the Device by Serial Number

  • Use the search bar to find the Chromebook using its serial number
  • Double-check that you’re selecting the correct device (model & user match)

✅ Step 4: Select the Device > Click “Deprovision”

  • Click on the device to open its details
  • At the top right, click “Deprovision”

✅ Step 5: Choose Deprovisioning Reason

You’ll be asked why you’re deprovisioning. Select:

  • “Retiring device” or
  • “Returned to reseller”

Click Confirm.

✅ Step 6: Confirm the Device No Longer Appears in Management

  • After a few minutes, the Chromebook should no longer be tied to the Admin console
  • It will now boot as a regular Chromebook — perfect for resale, gifting, or re-use

🛠️ If you’re deprovisioning multiple Chromebooks, you can bulk select and apply the same action.

🧑‍💻 For Buyers: Why This Matters

If you’re buying a refurbished Chromebook, you want to be sure it has been fully deprovisioned. A locked Chromebook will prompt for a school login — and can’t be used until removed from management.

At NZ Laptop Wholesale:

  • We check every Chromebook we receive
  • Devices that are still enrolled are marked as Grade C
  • Deprovisioned Chromebooks are fully tested and ready to use like any normal Chrome OS device
  • All eligible Chromebooks are reset and ready to go, with local NZ warranty and support

✅ Final Thoughts

For schools: removing Chromebooks from your Admin console before return helps keep your IT records clean — and ensures those devices get a second life.

For buyers: refurbished Chromebooks are fast, simple, and secure — just make sure you’re buying from a trusted source that checks for enterprise lock.

Chris Harvey