This official feed from the Google Workspace team provides essential information about new features and improvements for Google Workspace customers.
rss_feed

Book Google Workspace resources from third-party calendars

Organizations that use both Google Workspace and other calendaring systems, like Microsoft Outlook, can now more easily coordinate shared resources, such as rooms, projectors, or company cars. | Learn more about how to book Google Workspace resources from third-party calendars.

Greater control and error visibility for Google Sheets formulas

We are introducing updates to the logic and parameter support for a targeted set of Google Sheets functions. These changes are designed to improve error visibility, offer more control over data, and ensure seamless compatibility when importing files. | Learn more about greater control and error visibility for Google Sheets formulas.

Migration update on restricted access items

With this update, all items with legacy restricted access will be automatically migrated to use the limited access setting instead. There will be no change to who can see or access the files. | Learn more about Migration update on restricted access items.

Speech translation in Google Meet is now rolling out to mobile devices

Following our recent general availability launch for web, we are excited to announce that speech translation is now rolling out to the Meet Android and iOS apps. The feature allows audio to be translated to other languages in near-real-time, helping global teams communicate more naturally and removing language barriers. | Learn more about speech translation in Google Meet is now out to mobile devices.

Edit your AI-generated scripts when you convert Slides to Vids

Now when you import Slides into Google Vids with Gemini enabled, you can see and edit your AI-generated scripts for each slide before completing the import, generating voiceovers, and applying animations. | Learn more about how to edit your AI-generated scripts when you convert Slides to Vids.

Gmail end-to-end encryption now available on mobile devices

We’re expanding Gmail end-to-end encryption (E2EE) to Android and iOS devices for Gmail client-side encryption (CSE) users. With Gmail E2EE, your users can confidentially engage with your organization's most sensitive data from anywhere on their mobile devices while ensuring data remains compliant and with your organizations sovereignty and compliance requirements. | Learn more about Gmail end-to-end encryption now available on mobile devices.

Expanding access to longer musical tracks in the Gemini app

Last month, we introduced Lyria 3 Pro in the Gemini app for select Business, Enterprise, and Education editions. Now, more users can create longer tracks with Lyria 3 Pro in the Gemini app. | Learn more about expanded access to longer musical tracks in the Gemini app.

The announcements above were published on the Workspace Updates blog over the last week. Please refer to the original blog posts for complete details.
Read More

Last year, we stopped allowing restricted access on specific files and folders within a shared folder in Google Drive, and instead required that restricted access be managed consistently via the limited access folder setting. With this update, all items with legacy restricted access will be automatically migrated to use the limited access setting instead. There will be no change to who can see or access the files.

After the migration to the limited access setting, any user can audit the files they own with limited access by using the Drive search operators owner:me is:limitedaccess.

Items that were automatically migrated will show limited access was applied by Google Drive.

Items with limited access applied will show the updated sharing experience.
Getting started

  • Admins: There is no admin control for this feature. Visit the Help Center to learn more.
  • End users: There is no end user setting for this feature. Visit the Help Center to learn more.

Rollout pace

  • Personal Google accounts: Available now
  • Rapid Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on April 9, 2026
  • Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on April 16, 2026

Availability

  • Available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts

Resources



Read More

Introducing guest accounts: Collaborate securely and communicate with non-Workspace users in Google Chat

We're excited to announce the general availability of guest accounts in Google Workspace. Guest accounts empower organizations to securely collaborate with customers, partners, and vendors that are not on Google Workspace. | Learn more about how to collaborate securely and communicate with non-Workspace users in Google Chat.

Ransomware detection and file restoration for Google Drive now generally available

We’re excited to share these two features are generally available with significant improvements in malware detection. | Learn more about ransomware detection and file restoration for Google Drive.

Download the third-party attestation for data regions

Admins have access to an independent review of Google Workspace’s data regions, not only for their compliance needs but also for their peace of mind. | Learn more about how to download the third-party attestation for data regions.

An update on secondary calendar lifecycle changes and a new API

In the coming months, we’ll introduce a new endpoint in the Calendar API that will allow developers to programmatically transfer the ownership of secondary calendars. | Learn more about the update on secondary calendar lifecycle changes and a new API.

Generate beautiful and editable slides with ease in Google Slides

Slide generation just got a major upgrade. Gemini can now create fully editable, brand-matched slides using dynamic layouts tailored to your specific content. To ensure visual consistency, Gemini securely analyzes your existing deck to generate designs that fit your established style. | Learn more about how to generate beautiful and editable slides with ease in Google Slides.

Form creation with Gemini and more now available in more languages

You can use Help me create to enter a prompt that describes the form you want to create or a prompt that references supporting Docs, Sheets, Slides, or PDFs. | Learn more about form creation with Gemini and more now available in more languages.

Upcoming change to default setting for downloading Google Meet recordings

Currently, Google Meet video recordings do not allow viewers to download or copy them by default unless the recording owner explicitly allows it. As a result, the "Ask Gemini" functionality within the Drive viewer is also disabled by default for viewers who aren’t file owners. | Learn more about the upcoming change to default setting for downloading Google Meet recordings.

Enabling user-initiated purchases, starting with higher access to advanced AI features in Workspace

We’re introducing a new capability that allows end users to purchase Google Workspace add-ons directly, starting with the AI Expanded Access add-on for users in the United States and Canada with a Google Workspace Business edition. | Learn more about enabling user-initiated purchases, starting with higher access to advanced AI features in Workspace.

Create and refine custom avatars in Google Vids

AI Avatars in Google Vids provide high-quality speakers preferred five times more often than those on other platforms. Now you can customize and refine these avatars to match your brand and message, with Nano Banana 2. | Learn more about how to create and refine custom avatars in Google Vids.

Direct an avatar to speak and act anywhere with a consistent face and voice

We’re excited to announce you can now place avatars in different scenes and have them interact with objects you specify, like your newly released product or a piece of safety equipment. Their faces and voices will remain consistent as you generate different scenes. | Learn more about how to Direct an avatar to speak and act anywhere with a consistent face and voice.

Record your screen directly from Chrome with the Google Vids Screen Recorder Chrome Extension

You can now quickly record your screen from any browser window using the new Google Vids Screen Recorder Chrome extension. | Learn more about how to record your screen directly from Chrome with the Google Vids Screen Recorder Chrome Extension.

Export Google Vids directly to YouTube

You can now publish the videos you create in Google Vids directly to YouTube. This saves you a few steps - previously you would export the project as an MP4 file, then go to YouTube to upload the file. | Learn more about how to export Google Vids directly to YouTube.

Google Meet is now available on CarPlay

We’re excited to announce Google Meet for Apple CarPlay, allowing on-the-go professionals to stay connected hands-free and join meetings safely while on the road. | Learn more about Google Meet is now available on CarPlay.

The announcements above were published on the Workspace Updates blog over the last week. Please refer to the original blog posts for complete details.
Read More

We recently announced a change to the ownership model of secondary calendars to improve data governance. As part of this, we emailed impacted customers to let them know that orphan secondary calendars would be deleted starting on April 27, 2026.

Since that announcement, we’ve received valuable feedback that to properly manage this new lifecycle, customers need better programmatic tools to handle secondary calendar data before it gets deleted.

To ensure you have the time and tools necessary to manage this transition smoothly, we are making two important updates:

  1. We are launching a new API endpoint by the end of June to transfer secondary calendars within your organization.
  2. We are postponing the secondary calendar lifecycle changes to October 5, 2026 for non-personal Workspace accounts.

Coming soon: new API endpoint to transfer secondary calendars

In the coming months, we’ll introduce a new endpoint in the Calendar API that will allow developers to programmatically transfer the ownership of secondary calendars. This endpoint will require the Calendar administrator privilege.

The API will mirror the existing capabilities in the Admin console—transferring secondary calendars within the same organization without requiring confirmation by the receiving user—and introduces the additional flexibility to transfer individual calendars.

The new API endpoint will be available for integration by June 2026. An announcement and technical documentation will be published when the API goes live.

Extended deadline for lifecycle changes

To give your teams ample time to adjust their workflows and integrate with the new API endpoint, we are officially pushing back the enforcement date for the secondary calendar lifecycle changes for non-personal Workspace accounts.

The new policy—where secondary calendars are permanently deleted upon the deletion of the owner's account—will now take effect on October 5, 2026, for non-personal Workspace accounts.

Until then, we will run a regular process for orphan calendars that auto-assigns ownership to a user who has “Make changes and manage sharing” access. This process will stop on October 5, 2026. Instead, make sure to ask the owner to transfer relevant secondary calendars to a colleague before they leave - or make sure an administrator executes the transfer using the Admin console or the new API endpoint.

Note that the changes to the secondary calendar lifecycle will still take effect on April 27, 2026, for users with personal Google accounts.

Additional details

Secondary calendars owned by an organization must be owned by a user within that same organization, and ownership transfers are restricted to users in the same domain. However, you can continue to share calendars with users outside your organization—including with high-level permissions such as "Make changes and manage sharing"—provided your organization policies allow it.

Example of a secondary calendar owned by the dwelling.com organization, with elsonl@dwelling.com as owner

Example of a personal secondary calendar (not owned by an organization), with amandahayes@gmail.com as owner 

Getting started

  • Admins: Stay tuned for more details on the new API endpoint when it launches.
  • End users: There is no end user setting for this feature. End users can already transfer secondary calendars to other users within their organization. Visit the Help Center to learn more.

Rollout pace

  • Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains
    • New API endpoint: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting in June (to be announced on Workspace Updates blog when available)
    • Secondary calendar lifecycle change: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on October 5, 2026
  • Users with personal Google accounts
    • Secondary calendar lifecycle change: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on Apr 27, 2026

Impact

  • All Google Workspace customers and users with personal Google accounts are impacted by these changes 

Resources

Read More

Today, we're excited to announce the general availability of guest accounts in Google Workspace. Guest accounts empower organizations to securely collaborate with customers, partners, and vendors that are not on Google Workspace. More than secure, real-time messaging in Google Chat, guest accounts enable organizations to extend their security and data protection policies to these non-Workspace users. Whether it’s collaborating on a marketing brief in Google Docs or a presentation in Google Slides, non-Workspace users with guest accounts adhere to your organization’s security policies.

How it works

When an end user in your organization invites an external, non-Workspace user in Google Chat through a direct message (DM) or Chat Space, a guest account is provisioned for that external user within your Workspace domain with a unique account identifier. These guest accounts are also automatically placed in a dedicated "Workspace Guests" Organizational Unit (OU) in the Admin console, with default security policies designed for these external users.

When communicating with guest accounts in DMs or Chat Spaces, your organization’s end users will see a teal “external” label for guest accounts. This is similar to the yellow “external” label that we have utilized in Google Chat to indicate external Workspace users. Guests can be @mentioned across supported Workspace app surfaces, similar to any other user. This means that end users can invite guests via Chat and collaborate with them using Chat, Drive, Docs, Slides, Sheets, and Meet.


Granular admin settings

Workspace admins have full visibility and control. The guest accounts capability is tied to your existing external chat settings. If you have external chatting enabled, end users in your organization can now start inviting non-Workspace users in Chat to collaborate with you.

    • Manage guest access settings: Manage who can invite guests to your organization.
    • Manage guest lifecycle: View and manage all provisioned guest accounts in the admin console and through APIs.
    • Policy enforcement: Guest accounts have a few default security settings that are not inherited from the Root OU. This helps organizations get started from a baseline security posture for guest accounts. View the defaults and apply your org specific policies to the "Workspace Guests" OU, such as 2-step verification or context-aware access.
Your organization retains full ownership of data created and shared within your Workspace domain when collaborating with users using guest accounts. Moreover, external users with guest accounts cannot create or own new files in Google Drive; they can only be invited to collaborate on existing files.


To learn more about the full set of capabilities for guest accounts and features available to host organization’s administrators to manage these guest accounts, take a look at the detailed documentation.

Important notes

  • Guest accounts are created only for non-Workspace external users. Functionality to collaborate with external Workspace users and consumer Google accounts remains unchanged and does not require guest account creation. API capability to create guests will be available in open beta by May 2026.
  • If you use trusted domains to only allow sharing only with certain organizations outside of your business, you can now start adding non-Workspace domains to your allowlisted domains to start collaborating securely with non-Workspace domains. Note that setting up trusted domains prevents your organisation from collaborating with consumer Google accounts. This includes collaboration with non-Workspace users who may have created consumer Google accounts using their work email address.
  • Guests are modelled as a type of user. In the Directory API, user.list will now include guests by default. The API now also includes a new field is_guest_user to identify guests. Guests will not be auto provisioned to existing 3P SAML apps that support automated user provisioning.

Getting started

  • Admins:
    • External chat settings: At launch, end users who can chat externally will be able to invite and collaborate with non-Workspace external users in Chat by default. You can control which users are allowed to chat externally using the existing external chat settings.
    • Guest invitation setting: You can restrict who can invite guest accounts in your organization using the guest invitation setting. This defaults to ON for everyone who can chat externally in your organization.

  • End users: End users who can collaborate externally and have been permitted by admins to invite end users will be able to invite and collaborate with non-Workspace external users in Chat using guest accounts.
  • Guests: Non-Workspace external users will receive an email invitation to their primary email address when invited by the host organization. Guests can sign up to start collaborating. Guests have limited feature capabilities available, similar to Workspace external users.

Rollout pace

  • Admin controls

Availability

  • Business: Business Starter, Standard, and Plus
  • Enterprise: Enterprise Starter, Standard, and Plus

Resources


Read More

Safeguarded guest admit flow in Google Meet

The new safeguarded guest admit flow assists hosts in meetings when they respond to users who ask to join meetings (also known as ”knocking”). This makes it easier for hosts to handle large volumes of requests and helps reduce the attention and time needed. | Learn more about safeguarded guest admit flow in Google Meet.

Create longer musical tracks in the Gemini app with Lyria 3 Pro

Last month, we introduced 30-second tracks with Lyria 3, featuring custom music generation designed to spark creative expression. Now, we’re also introducing Lyria 3 Pro, an advanced version that allows users to create tracks up to three minutes long, with customization and creative control. | Learn more about how to create longer musical tracks in the Gemini app with Lyria 3 Pro.

Generate custom music in Google Vids, powered by Lyria 3 and Lyria 3 Pro

You can now generate custom music in Google Vids, powered by Lyria 3 and Lyria 3 Pro, Google’s latest music generation model. | Learn more about how to generate custom music in Google Vids, powered by Lyria 3 and Lyria 3 Pro.

Ensure accurate meeting records with automatic language detection in Google Meet

We’re introducing automatic language detection in Google Meet to help ensure your meeting transcripts, summarized notes, and recorded captions are as accurate as possible. | Learn more about how to ensure accurate meeting records with automatic language detection in Google Meet.

The announcements above were published on the Workspace Updates blog over the last week. Please refer to the original blog posts for complete details.
Read More

Easily find and set time zones in Google Calendar by searching for city or country

We’re introducing an improved time zone picker for Google Calendar on the web. Instead of manually scrolling through the list of options, you can now simply search for and select a specific city or country, making it easier to coordinate and schedule with others in different time zones. | Learn more about how to easily find and set time zones in Google Calendar by searching for city or country.

Workspace audit logs: New functionality and expanded event fields

We’re releasing a number of enhancements to Workspace audit logs. | Learn more about the new functionality and expanded event fields in Workspace audit logs.

Introducing the new Meetings section in Google Chat

We’re introducing a dedicated Meetings section in Google Chat—a new way to organize your conversation list and keep your meeting conversations in one place. | Learn more about the new Meetings section in Google Chat.

New ways to customize and interact with your content in NotebookLM

We’re introducing several updates to NotebookLM that give users more flexibility when uploading sources, new ways to create and edit visuals from NotebookLM and improvements to the interactive study tools. | Learn more about new ways to customize and interact with your content in NotebookLM.

The announcements above were published on the Workspace Updates blog over the last week. Please refer to the original blog posts for complete details.
Read More

Updates to meetings made by a delegate user are now sent in the name of the principal

In Google Calendar this can be set up by sharing an executive’s calendar with “Make changes to events” or “Make changes and manage sharing” permissions with a delegate user. | Learn more about how updates to meetings made by a delegate user are now sent in the name of the principal.

New Device ID for Google Meet hardware

We’re replacing the current Device ID (“Legacy ID”) for Google Meet hardware devices with a new Device ID. This new Device ID will be displayed everywhere you currently see the Legacy ID throughout the Google Admin console. | Learn more about the new Device ID for Google Meet hardware.

Assign Google Calendars to Google Meet hardware in bulk

We’re making it easier to manage calendar assignments for your Meet hardware devices. You can now assign or unassign Google Calendars to your Meet hardware devices in bulk by uploading a CSV file. | Learn more about assigning Google Calendars to Google Meet hardware in bulk.

Better screen scaling for Google Calendar on large monitors

Google Calendar on the web now offers improved scaling on large, high-resolution monitors. This update provides a clearer overview of your day or week by reducing unnecessary whitespace and better utilizing your available screen space. | Learn more about how to better screen scaling for Google Calendar on large monitors.

Control continuous meeting chat for your organization

We’re excited to introduce a new admin control for this feature In the Workspace Admin console, under Meet Safety Settings, you’ll now see a continuous meeting chat setting that allows you to configure continuous meeting chat behavior for your organization. | Learn more about how to control the continuous meeting chat for your organization.

Use Help me schedule in Gmail to easily set up a meeting time with multiple guests

Previously, "Help me schedule" was limited to scheduling between two individuals. With this update, users can now coordinate meetings with multiple guests directly from the Gmail compose window. | Learn more about how to use Help me schedule in Gmail to easily set up a meeting time with multiple guests.

Whisk is moving to Flow on April 30, 2026

On April 30, 2026, the best capabilities from Whisk are moving directly into Flow, Google's unified platform for AI-powered image and video creation. | Learn more about Whisk directly moving into Flow.

Gemini in Chrome expands to more countries and languages, including Canada, New Zealand, and India

Gemini in Chrome is rolling out now to Canada, New Zealand, and India, and we’re adding support for 50+ more languages across these countries and in the United States. | Learn more about how Gemini in Chrome expands to more countries and languages, including Canada, New Zealand, and India.

The announcements above were published on the Workspace Updates blog over the last week. Please refer to the original blog posts for complete details.
Read More

We’re replacing the current Device ID (“Legacy ID”) for Google Meet hardware devices with a new Device ID. This new Device ID will be displayed everywhere you currently see the Legacy ID throughout the Google Admin console:

  • The device list, details, history, and videocalling pages (Admin console > Devices > Google Meet hardware)
  • All device-keyed URLs in the Admin console
  • Audit logs and BigQuery exports
  • Bulk upload and download features
  • Device ID filter in Meet quality tool (Admin console > Apps > Google Workspace > Settings for Google Meet > Meet quality tool)

Additional details
  • Bulk Updates: Bulk updating device settings by uploading a file on the device list page will require the new Device ID.
  • Audit Logs: Audit logs (Admin console > Reporting > Audit and investigation) and their BigQuery exports will use the new Device ID for all entries going forward. Existing audit logs created before this change will not be modified.
  • Transitioning to the new ID:
    • During the rollout, you may see different IDs for the same device in different locations
    • For the next 6 months after the rollout, you can use either ID in URLs, bulk uploads, the device list page, and the Meet Quality Tool. The Legacy ID will no longer be supported 6 months after the rollout is complete.

Getting started

Rollout pace

Availability

  • Available to all Google Workspace customers with Google Meet hardware devices

Resources

Read More

Improved join permission logging for Google Meet Audit events

Google Meet Audit event logging for endpoints will now also include the permission type used to grant access to join a meeting. | Learn more about improved join permission logging for Google Meet Audit events.

Workspace admins can allow Gemini app conversation sharing for their organizations

Google Workspace admins can now enable users in their organization to share their Gemini chat conversations by creating public links to share and publish. | Learn more about how Workspace admins can allow Gemini app conversation sharing for their organizations.

Improving the connection between Google Calendar events and Google Meet calls

Google is updating how Google Meet links to Calendar events to ensure meeting artifacts (recordings, notes, and chats) are shared with the correct people.This update solves the "ambiguity" of reused codes, preventing sensitive meeting records from being shared with the wrong participants or lost entirely. | Learn more about how the connection between Google Calendar events and Google Meet calls is improved.

New dynamic data source support for dropdowns in Google Chat apps

Google Chat developers can now use dynamic data sources for dropdown menus, allowing apps to query and filter external databases in real-time as a user types. | Learn more about new dynamic data source support for dropdowns in Google Chat apps.

The announcements above were published on the Workspace Updates blog over the last week. Please refer to the original blog posts for complete details.
Read More

For each video call, Meet attempts to connect the right Calendar event to determine:

Reusing the same meeting code across multiple events can sometimes lead to ambiguity and unexpected behavior such as meeting artifacts being shared with the wrong guests (or no guests at all). We recently announced a change to reduce this ambiguity by stopping automatically copying Meet codes when duplicating Calendar events.

We are now fixing this ambiguity by having each Meet video call be tied to the initial Calendar event where it was created. This gives predictability and transparency about which guests receive notes, messages in Google Chat, recordings and other details from the meeting.

When users manually paste an old meeting code into a new Calendar event, they’ll see a dialog highlighting that the Meet code is still tied to the initial event. Codes created outside of Calendar (like instant meetings from meet.google.com) will remain unlinked.

For example:

  • If you reuse the meeting code from an old Calendar (Event A) on a new Calendar (Event B), meeting artifacts will only be shared with the host, co-hosts, and guests of the old Calendar event (Event A), and not guests of the new Calendar event (Event B).
  • If you reuse a meeting code created from meet.google.com on a new Calendar event, meeting artifacts will only be shared with the meetings host and co-hosts, and not guests of the new Calendar event.

Warnings shown when reusing a meet code

Additional details
If you use Apple Calendar to create Google Calendar events with a Google Meet meeting code, the code will be updated automatically. This change ensures that each event uses a unique meeting code. Users receive an email informing them about the update.

Getting started

  • Admins: There is no admin control for this feature.
  • End users: There is no end user setting for this feature. Visit the Help Center to learn more.

Rollout pace

Changes to behavior when creating Google Calendar event with meeting code in Apple Calendar
Changes to behavior when reusing meeting code in Google Calendar

Availability

  • Available to all Google Workspace customers and users with personal Google accounts

Resources

Read More

Two new functions in Google Sheets

We are adding two new functions to Google Sheets, =SHEET and =SHEETS. These additions help users manage and reference spreadsheets with multiple tabs more effectively. | Learn more about two new functions in Google Sheets.

New internal and external membership classifications for Google Groups

To ensure better data security, starting in Q2 2026, Google Groups will launch stricter internal and external classifications on group memberships. | Learn more about internal and external membership classifications for Google Groups.

Save PDFs to your Google Drive

On Chrome on your computer, you can now save PDFs directly to Drive without leaving the page, and easily get back to them later in the “Saved from Chrome” folder. | Learn more about saving PDFs to your Google Drive.

Get quantitative insights from text responses with Gemini in Google Forms

Last year, we announced proactive Gemini-generated insights in Forms for short answer and paragraph questions helping form creators summarize responses to longer questions and quickly understand sentiment and feedback. | Learn more about quantitative insights from text responses with Gemini in Google Forms.

New cartoon avatars in Google Vids

AI avatars in Google Vids provide a fast, cost-effective way to generate high-quality digital speakers. While photorealistic avatars are ideal for formal business, we are introducing new 2D and 3D cartoon-styled avatars that utilize expressive, stylized features.| Learn more about new cartoon avatars in Google Vids.

AI avatars and AI voiceovers in Google Vids now available in seven new languages

Google Vids is thrilled to announce that AI avatars and voiceovers now support more than just English. Users can now provide input in seven additional languages: French, German, Italian, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, and Japanese. | Learn more about AI avatars and AI voiceovers in Google Vids, available in seven new languages.

Sending larger attachments in Gmail: New 50MB limits for Enterprise Plus customers

We are introducing a significant enhancement to Gmail’s storage and delivery capabilities for Enterprise Plus customers. To support seamless collaboration and high-fidelity file sharing, we are increasing the file size limits for both sending and receiving emails. | Learn more about the new limits for Enterprise Plus customers in Gmail.

Google Chat now available as a data source in Gemini app

We’re excited to announce that Google Chat is now available as a data source in the Gemini app for Workspace customers, joining Gmail, Google Drive, and other Workspace apps. | Learn more about Google Chat as a data source in Gemini app.

Expanded duration limits in Google Vids

We are increasing the duration limits for Google Vids projects, recordings and imported media clips, giving you more flexibility to create comprehensive video content. | Learn more about expanded duration limits in Google Vids.

Introducing a new video player experience in Google Drive on iOS devices

Last year, we announced a smoother, more modern video player in the Google Drive Android app. This updated look and feel is now available when watching Drive videos on your iOS devices. | Learn more about the video player experience in Google Drive on iOS devices.

Gemini conversation history is coming to the side panel in Google Workspace

Conversation history is coming to the Gemini side panel in Google Workspace apps. This feature will enable users to resume their conversations with Gemini across sessions. | Learn more about Gemini conversation history in the side panel.

Introducing Nano Banana 2 in the Gemini app

Starting today, we’re rolling out Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image), our best image model yet, to Workspace customers in the Gemini app. | Learn more about Nano Banana 2 in the Gemini app.

The announcements above were published on the Workspace Updates blog over the last week. Please refer to the original blog posts for complete details.
Read More

To ensure better data security, starting in Q2 2026, Google Groups will launch stricter internal and external classifications on group memberships. Groups with the Allow members outside your organization setting disabled will be limited only to members of your organization.

Currently, groups with the Allow members outside your organization setting disabled can still have external members (added via an admin, via a nested external group, or by changing the group from external to internal, which does not remove existing external members). After this change, this behavior will no longer be supported.

To prevent disruption, existing groups with the Allow members outside your organization setting disabled that currently include external members will be automatically updated to a new configuration. These groups will be reclassified as external, but configured so that only admins can add external users (preventing end users from doing so).

Additionally, this change will impact multiple UI and API areas within Google Workspace, including:

  • Google Groups (and its usage in other apps like Gmail, Chat, and Calendar)
  • Admin console
  • APIs (Cloud Identity, Admin SDK Directory API, Groups Settings API)

Getting started

  • Admins: If you use the Cloud Identity or Admin SDK Directory API to create new groups intended for external members, you may experience script errors if you don’t update your settings. Currently, Groups created via API default to allowExternalMembers=False and admins can add external members to these groups without triggering an error. When this new behavior goes into effect, if you attempt to add external members to a group classified as internal (the default setting), the API will reject the request and your script will return an error. We recommend updating your scripts using the GroupsSettings API now.

Rollout pace

Availability

  • All Google Workspace customers

Resources

Read More

View Gemini feature usage and threshold reports in the Admin console

Today, we’re releasing new adoption and usage metrics to our Gemini reports in the Admin console. These new reports offer administrators comprehensive visibility into AI feature usage and thresholds to help them better manage their Workspace subscription and Gemini adoption. This includes usage data by features, apps, and active users. | Learn more about Gemini feature usage and threshold reports in the Admin console.

Improvements to local administrative access controls on Windows devices

We are updating the administrative privileges setting for Windows device management to give administrators more control over how local administrative access is handled on Windows 10 and Windows 11 devices, managed by Google Endpoint Management. This update simplifies settings and provides greater flexibility for organizations that need to preserve local admin access while managing specific users via Google Workspace. | Learn more about Improvements to local administrative access controls on Windows devices.

Forecast data in Connected Sheets using BigQuery ML and TimesFM

We are introducing a new capability in Connected Sheets for BigQuery that allows users to generate data forecasts directly within Google Sheets using the power of BigQuery ML (BQML) and Google’s state-of-the-art TimesFM model. | Learn more about Forecast data in Connected Sheets using BigQuery ML and TimesFM.

Create custom soundtracks with Lyria 3 in the Gemini app

Using text-based or image prompting, you can now generate custom 30 second soundtracks in Gemini. This new capability is powered by Lyria 3, Google’s most advanced music generation model yet. | Learn more about how to Create custom soundtracks with Lyria 3 in the Gemini app.

New user controls for Take notes for me

We are introducing more ways meeting hosts and participants can view and control “Take notes for me” in Google Meet. | Learn more about New user controls for Take notes for me.

New 'Take notes for me' configuration in the Admin console for select Gemini Alpha customers

To help users remember to get notes for meetings where it is most valuable, we are developing new settings for ‘Take notes for me’ that lets users and admins pre-configure AI note taking. | Learn more about New 'Take notes for me' configuration in the Admin console for select Gemini Alpha customers.

Educators can now get help drafting personalized guidance on written assignments with AI-suggested feedback in Google Classroom

We’re introducing AI-suggested feedback for written assignments in Google Classroom, a new feature designed to help educators provide high-quality, personalized support to their students more efficiently. | Learn more about how Educators can now get help drafting personalized guidance on written assignments with AI-suggested feedback in Google Classroom.

Manage permission to edit group details and changes to groups settings

We’re introducing a new permission in Google Groups: "Who can modify group details." This update allows group owners and managers to grant specific roles the ability to edit a group's name and description. | Learn more about to Manage permission to edit group details and changes to groups settings.

The announcements above were published on the Workspace Updates blog over the last week. Please refer to the original blog posts for complete details.
Read More

*Note: This update only applies to customers who participate in the Gemini Alpha program for Workspace.

To help users remember to get notes for meetings where it is most valuable, we are developing new settings for ‘Take notes for me’ that lets users and admins pre-configure AI note taking. For organizations in the Gemini Alpha, we will soon begin testing a new setting in Google Meet that will automatically enable Take notes for me for meetings with three or more participants.

This setting will be on by default for organizations in the Gemini Alpha program. Admins can disable it at any time, as soon as they see the new setting in their admin console.




This setting may be visible to customers broadly, but it will only be functional for customers participating in the Gemini Alpha program.

In addition to this test, we are also introducing more ways hosts and participants can control Take notes for me. Soon, all customers—regardless of whether they are in the Gemini Alpha program—will see the ability to turn off "Take notes for me" directly from the green room before joining a call. See this post for more details on the new controls



Getting started

  • Admins: This new setting will be on by default for organizations in the Gemini Alpha starting no sooner than March 11th. Admins can opt out of this experience starting now by going to the Google Meet Admin Console, going to Gemini settings, and adjusting the value under “Automatic note-taking” to “OFF”.
  • End users: End users in the Gemini Alpha program can opt out of this experience when they see the new setting (no sooner than March 11) by visiting their user settings in Meet (gear icon in top right), clicking “Meeting Records” and adjusting the drop-down to “OFF”. If an admin enables the setting for their organization but a user disables the setting, any meeting set by the individual user will have Take notes for me OFF by default.

Rollout pace

  • Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains:
    • Admin setting: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on February 18, 2026
    • New functionality to Gemini Alpha customers: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting no sooner than March 11, 2026

Availability

  • Business Standard and Plus
  • Enterprise Standard and Plus
  • Google AI Pro for Education add-on
  • Frontline Starter, Standard, and Plus
*Note: This setting may be visible to customers broadly, but it will only be functional for customers participating in the Gemini Alpha program.

Resources

Read More

Move shared content in Google Meet to a separate window with the “Open in new window” option

We’re introducing the ability for meeting participants to move screen shared content into a standalone window with the “Open in new window” option. | Learn more about how to move shared content in Google Meet to a separate window with the “Open in new window” option.

Data loss prevention policies for Google Calendar now available in beta

We’re introducing data loss prevention (DLP) policies for Google Calendar in beta. Currently, DLP policies protect Calendar attachments such as Docs, Sheets, and Slides in meeting invites. | Learn more about data loss prevention policies for Google Calendar.

Control if new Meet hardware can join calls with a new on/off setting

We’re introducing a “Video calling” setting for Google Meet hardware, allowing you to turn video calling on or off for a device. | Learn more about new Meet hardware can join calls with new on/off setting.

Introducing Figma in Google Chat

The Figma for Google Workspace add-on helps teams seamlessly collaborate on Figma files and keep everyone on the same page without switching context. | Learn more about how The Figma for Google Workspace add-on helps teams seamlessly collaborate on Figma files.

Listen to audio summaries in Google Docs

Audio summaries in Google Docs, a new Gemini-powered feature that enables you to listen to a brief overview of your document, can help you get up to speed quickly and understand the most important parts of your content. | Learn more about how to listen to audio summaries in Google Docs.

The announcements above were published on the Workspace Updates blog over the last week. Please refer to the original blog posts for complete details.
Read More

We’re introducing data loss prevention (DLP) policies for Google Calendar in beta. Currently, DLP policies protect Calendar attachments such as Docs, Sheets, and Slides in meeting invites. To further expand our data protections, administrators can now prevent sensitive data from being shared in the event details for Calendar, including event title, location, and description. 

Key functionalities include:

  • Choice of actions: Admins can choose to audit when an event is saved with sensitive content, warn users about sensitive content in their event, or block event creation or updates if a DLP policy is violated. 
  • Event details: DLP rules scan free-text fields in the event, including the event’s title, description, and location fields. 
  • Owner-based policies: Rules are applied based on the organizational unit (OU) of the owner (event organizer on primary calendars or calendar owner on secondary calendars), consistent with other Workspace DLP configurations. 
  • User notifications: With DLP policies for Calendar, users receive immediate feedback when sensitive data is detected. On the web, users see a pop-up notification explaining the issue. Admins can also customize this message with more specific details. If a meeting update is blocked on Android, iOS, or via the Calendar API, the user will receive an automated email notification explaining the policy violation and why changes to the meeting invite were not successful. 

Getting started 

  • Admins: To participate in this beta, sign up via this form before February 27, 2026. Please note you may not see the feature in the Admin console immediately; you will be notified via email once the setting is available. The feature will be OFF by default and can be enabled at the OU or group level. Visit the Help Center to learn more about DLP for Calendar.
  • End users: There is no end user setting for this feature.
DLP settings in the admin console to configure policies for sensitive data, including actions and alerts when creating Calendar events 

An end user is prompted with a message asking them to remove sensitive information 

Availability 

  • Enterprise Standard and Plus 
  • Enterprise Essentials 
  • Frontline Standard and PlusEducation Fundamentals, Education Standard, and Education Plus 
  • Cloud Identity Premium

Resources 

Read More

New built-in interoperability between Google Meet and Microsoft Teams

We’re introducing video conferencing device interoperability for Google Meet with Microsoft Teams, which will allow you to: (1) Join Microsoft Teams meetings from Chrome OS- based Google Meet hardware devices, and (2) Join Google Meet meetings from Windows-based Microsoft Teams Rooms devices. | Learn more about interoperability between Google Meet and Microsoft Teams. 

Select Gemini in Workspace capabilities now available to Education Plus and Teaching & Learning customers

We’re bringing generative AI capabilities in Google Workspace for Education to more educators and students around the world. Gemini in Docs, Slides, Forms, and Vids are now available to users 18 and older with a Google Workspace for Education Plus or Teaching and Learning add-on license at no additional cost. | Learn more about Gemini in Workspace features for education users.

Gemini in Chrome is coming to Chromebook Plus devices

Gemini in Chrome is rolling out now to Chromebook Plus devices in the US. This feature empowers business and education users with AI tools that integrate seamlessly into their daily browsing workflows while maintaining strict data governance. | Learn more about Gemini in Chrome for Chromebook Plus devices.

Speech translation in Google Meet now generally available for businesses

As of January 27, 2026, speech translation in Google Meet is no longer restricted to businesses in a limited alpha program; it is now available for Google Workspace customers with select plans. | Learn more about speech translation in Meet for business users.

Prepare for the JEE Main with practice tests in Gemini

We recently launched full-length practice tests in Gemini, starting with the SAT. We're now expanding practice tests to support the JEE Main. | Learn more about JEE Main practice tests in Gemini.

Google Classroom API: Student groups endpoints are now available

Last year, we announced the launch of the Google Classroom API Student Groups endpoints through the Google Workspace Developer Preview Program (DPP). Now, Student Groups endpoints are generally available, so developers no longer need to be in the Developer Preview Program (DPP) to access them. | Learn more about Google Classroom API Student Groups endpoints.

Proofread your email with Gemini in Gmail

When you draft an email, Proofread can suggest improvements beyond spelling and grammar corrections like conciseness, active voice, sentence structure, and word choice so everything is polished before you send. We recently launched this feature to Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers, and we’re now bringing it to additional Workspace plans. | Learn more about Proofread in Gmail for Workspace users.

Expanding access to select Google Vids features for all users

To help more users create professional-quality content, we are making three features in Vids available to all users, regardless of what Workspace edition they use. These include: Read-along teleprompter, Transcript trim, and Styled captions. | Learn more about Vids features for more users.

Get higher access to advanced AI in Google Workspace

We’re introducing AI Expanded Access, a new Workspace add-on that sits between our standard offering and our top-tier plan. It unlocks higher access to allow teams to further scale their impact. | Learn more about AI Expanded Access for Workspace.

The announcements above were published on the Workspace Updates blog over the last week. Please refer to the original blog posts for complete details.

Read More

Useful Links

Join the official community for Google Workspace administrators

In the Google Cloud Community, discuss the latest features with Googlers and other Google Workspace admins like you. Learn tips and tricks that will make your work and life easier. Be the first to know what's happening with Google Workspace.

Learn about more Google Workspace launches

On the “What’s new in Google Workspace?” Help Center page, learn about new products and features launching in Google Workspace, including smaller changes that haven’t been announced on the Google Workspace Updates blog.

Learn about our customers

Discover how a diverse range of organizations, from small businesses and nimble startups to globally recognized Fortune 500 corporations, leverage the collaborative power of Google Workspace. Explore examples of how teams of are streamlining workflows and driving productivity by utilizing Google-Workspace.