🧩 Overview
When you try to update a field inside a Google Business Profile (GBP) project and see the message "To edit a field you have to disable the lock on", it means the project-level lock is active. This lock is controlled by a single lock icon in the GBP Projects Overview menu — not at the individual field level. Disabling it takes only a few seconds and immediately allows editing across the project.
🗺️ Where to Find the Lock
The lock icon lives at the top of the GBP Projects Overview menu. Follow this exact navigation path:
- In the left sidebar, click Local.
- Click GBP Projects (GBP Projects) — this opens the GBP projects list.
- Locate and select the GBP project you need to edit.
- Inside the project, open the GBP Projects Overview menu panel on the left side of the screen.
- At the top of that menu, look for the lock icon.
🔓 How to Disable the Lock
- Navigate to Left sidebar → Local → GBP Projects (GBP Projects).
- Select the client's GBP project from the list.
- In the GBP Projects Overview menu, find the lock icon at the top.
- Click the lock icon to toggle it from locked to unlocked. The icon will change state to confirm the lock has been removed.
- Return to the field you were trying to edit and make your changes as normal.
Note: The lock icon is a project-level control. Disabling it affects the entire project, so re-enable it after you finish editing if you want to protect the project data from accidental changes.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Looking for field-level locks: The error message may suggest the lock is on a specific field, but the fix is always at the project level in the Overview menu.
- Checking permissions or deployment settings: This error is not related to user permissions or deployment status — it is only caused by the project lock being active.
- Editing without unlocking: Any field inside a locked project will block edits until the project-level lock is removed. Unlock first, then edit.
🔁 Re-Locking the Project After Editing
Once you have finished making updates, it is good practice to re-enable the lock to prevent unintended changes to the project. Return to Local → Overview (Overview) → select the project → GBP Projects Overview menu and click the lock icon again to restore it to the locked state.
💬 Need More Help?
If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be connected with a member of our team.