Google gave free Google Workspace users (those hosting custom domain email, e.g. me@mydomain.com) until June 1 to either pay or switch providers. Free gmail.com addresses are unaffected.
Choosing a New Email Host
Web host — may offer email hosting free or for a fee
Domain registrar — often provides email hosting (if not Google)
Paid providers — Fastmail, ProtonMail offer calendars and docs as Google Workspace alternatives
Switching Steps
Clean up — empty trash/junk, unsubscribe from unnecessary lists (you don't need to Marie Kondo everything)
Export — use Google Takeout or the Data Export Tool for mail, calendars, docs
Sign up with new host — create mailboxes as placeholders before MX switch if possible
Update MX records — at domain registrar, change from "google"/"googlemail" to new host's records; verify with whatsmydns.net; allow 24-48h (often faster)
Test sending/receiving with your email client (Apple Mail, Outlook, Thunderbird)
Import archives (optional) per new host's instructions
Cancel Google Workspace — log into Google admin console, cancel subscription, delete org users after exporting all data
Notes
You can keep using the same email addresses after switching
Old emails can be imported to new host (subject to their storage limits)
Free Gmail account can be configured to read/send from new host addresses
If MX records updated before mailboxes created, mail lands in both old (Google) and new inboxes temporarily
