What's changing

What's changing

There are upcoming changes to permissions in Google Groups which will be implemented starting September 15, 2025.

Currently, Google Groups has three roles: owner, manager, and member. Associated permissions for these roles, like Who can manage members and Who can view members can be configured in a group's settings. Additional group members can be assigned these permissions using custom roles. For example a group could have “who can manage members” set to “group owners” but then configure a custom role, add members to it, and add the custom role to “who can manage members.” 

To reduce complexity and increase consistency across Workspace products, the following will no longer be supported in Groups:
  • Custom roles for Who can manage members and Who can view members
  • The ability to allow the Entire organization to manage members

The timeline for this change is as follows:
Starting September 15, 2025, users will no longer be able to:
  • Add new custom roles for Who can manage members and Who can view members
  • Set Who can manage members to Entire organization

Starting January 5, 2026:
  • If a group has custom roles configured for Who can manage members and Who can view members, those custom roles will no longer apply
  • If a group has Who can manage members set to Entire organization, that setting will be updated to all members

Admins or end users can reassign users in custom roles in impacted groups to the default role that best matches their activity within the group. For example, if a group has Who can manage members set to owners and also has a custom role with three members in it, consider these options: 

  • Recommended: Expand the setting for Who can manage members to owners and managers and add those three users as managers 
  • Change the role of those three members to owners
  • Expand the capability to manage members to all group members

We also recommend setting Who can view members to Entire Organization to make collaboration seamless across Workspace, though if the group requires additional privacy, choose Group members. 

Getting started

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What’s changing

Getting started 

What’s changing

Google Classroom teachers can now export and import select information via the new integration with Bubblecon STLink, a South Korean third-party student information system (SIS) that provides an innovative edtech platform. The integration between 'STlink service' and Google Classroom leverages the OneRoster standard by 1EdTech.

Once an admin establishes a connection between STLink and Classroom, teachers will be able to export grades from Classroom to STLink. Teachers can also import useful information, such as student rosters, co-teachers, grading periods, and grading categories from STLink into Classroom. 

Getting started 

  • Admins: To enable the feature, go to http://classroom.google.com/admin > next to “Select your SIS,” click the Down arrow > select “STLink” > “Connect to Google.” Under “SIS Setup, click “Connect” > enter the OAuth credentials. Visit the Help Center to learn more about connecting your Classroom to your SIS. 
  • End users: 
    • If your admin has connected to your SIS: 
      • Export grades by going to classroom.google.com > select the class > “Grades” > “SIS export.” 
      • Import grading categories by going to classroom.google.com > select the class > Settings > “Grading Categories” > “Import from SIS.” 
      • Import grading periods by going to classroom.google.com > select the class > Settings > “Grading Periods” > “Import from SIS.” 
      • Import student rosters by going to the People tab > “Invite Students” > “Import from SIS”. 
      • Invite co-teachers by going to the People tab > “Invite Teachers” > “Import from SIS”. Visit the Help Center to learn more about using Classroom with your SIS. 

Rollout pace

Availability 

Available for Google Workspace: 
  • Education Plus and the Teaching & Learning Upgrade 

Resources 

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What’s changing

Who’s impacted 

Why you’d use it 

Getting started 

What’s changing

Last year, we ​​introduced a feature that gives Google Forms creators more granular control over who can respond to their newly created forms via sharing settings. Specifically, form creators can limit response access to specific users, groups, or target audiences—similar to how file owners can restrict the sharing of Google Docs, Sheets, Slides or Sites in Drive. 

In addition to being available on newly created forms, we’re excited to announce that starting today this option is now available on existing forms. As a result, form creators can upgrade existing or old forms to have more granular controls over who can respond to them. 
Adding granular control options for who can respond to existing Google Forms

Who’s impacted 

End users

Why you’d use it 

This feature is useful in any scenario where you’d like to control who can respond to a form. For example, business leaders can better collect feedback from specific organizational units and prevent the form from being responded to by other teams or organization units. Similarly, teachers can use this to ensure a quiz is only accessible to select students who receive the link. 

Getting started 

  • Admins: There is no admin control for this feature.
  • End users: 
    • Form creators must publish their form to enable responders to view the form or submit a response. 
    • Form creators can see who has access to the form and share response access to specific users, groups, or target audiences. 
    • Visit the Help Center to learn more about upgrading your Google Form to have better access control. 

Rollout pace 


Availability 

  • Available to all Google Workspace customers and users with personal Google Accounts 
    • Note: The target audiences feature mentioned above is only available for the Google Drive and Docs and Google Chat services. Supported editions for this feature on Drive, Docs & Chat include: Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Standard, Education Plus, Enterprise Essentials and Enterprise Essentials Plus. Supported editions for this feature on Drive & Docs only include: Business Standard, Nonprofits and G Suite Business. 

Resources 

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4 New updates

Unless otherwise indicated, the features below are available to all Google Workspace customers, and are fully launched or in the process of rolling out. Rollouts should take no more than 15 business days to complete if launching to both Rapid and Scheduled Release at the same time. If not, each stage of rollout should take no more than 15 business days to complete.

4 New updates

Unless otherwise indicated, the features below are available to all Google Workspace customers, and are fully launched or in the process of rolling out. Rollouts should take no more than 15 business days to complete if launching to both Rapid and Scheduled Release at the same time. If not, each stage of rollout should take no more than 15 business days to complete.

Admins can now deploy Context-Aware Access for the NotebookLM mobile app 
Earlier this year, we introduced the ability for admins to specify Context-Aware Access (CAA) policies when their users access NotebookLM. This week, we’ve expanded this to the NotebookLM app, which enables admins to set up access levels for the NotebookLM app based on a user’s identity and the context of the request (location, device security status, IP address). | Rolling out now to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains. | Context-Aware Access is available for Google Workspace Enterprise Standard and Plus; Education Standard and Plus; Enterprise Essentials Plus; Frontline Standard and Plus, and Cloud Identity Premium customers. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about protecting your business with Context-Aware Access, about qualifying Google Workspace editions and how to turn this service on or off. 

Introducing a new video player experience in Google Drive on Android devices 
Last year, we announced a smoother, more modern video player on the Google Drive web experience. This updated look and feel is now available when watching Drive videos on your Android device. | Rollout to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains is complete. | Available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual Subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about storing & playing video in Google Drive. 

Improving the file upload experience on Android and iOS devices 
To improve Google Drive's mobile upload experience, we've launched more fine grained controls and proactive status updates. Starting this week, you’ll notice updates to: 
  • The initial upload screen where you can adjust the file’s name and location. 
  • The progress bar that tells you how many items are uploading and how long it will take. 
  • The Upload Tab where you can see all pending or recently completed uploads. 
Rollout to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains is complete. | Available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual Subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about uploading files & folders to Google Drive.
Improving the file upload experience on Android and iOS devices
Support for file and people smart chips now available with Google Sheets API
Last month, we introduced the ability to take basic actions to create and modify tables via the Google Sheets API. This week, we’re expanding the API functionality to include the ability to write and read file and people smart chips. | Rollout to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains is complete. | Available to Google Workspace customers, Google Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. | Visit the Developer Documentation to learn more about the Google Sheets API.

    Previous announcements

    The announcements below were published on the Workspace Updates blog earlier this week. Please refer to the original blog posts for complete details.
    Google Meet now offers customizable caption styling
    You can now customize the styling of captions in Google Meet, including the font size, font type, color, and background color. This allows for the captions to be customized in a way that works best for you. | Learn more about caption styles in Meet. 

    Adding new admin settings to control Google Form responses 
    Admins can now independently control two distinct settings: whether users in their domain can respond to forms created externally, and whether users in their domain can share forms with external recipients. | Learn more about admin controls for Google Forms.

    Create a Google Vid from Google Slides 
    At Google I/O, we introduced the ability to turn existing Google Slides content into engaging videos using Google Vids. Today, we’re starting to roll out the first iteration of this new experience for Vids customers. | Learn more about creating a Vid using Slides. 

    Data migration log events are available in the Admin console 
    Beginning this week, you can now access log events for the new data migration service in the audit and investigation tool and the security investigation tool. You can search across a variety of attributes including: Who started a migration, What data is being migrated and When the migration was set up or executed, and more. | Learn more about Data migration log events. 

    Generate charts and valuable insights using Gemini in Google Sheets in additional languages 
    Earlier this year, we introduced the ability for Gemini to provide insights and generate charts based on your data in Google Sheets. Today, we’re excited to expand this feature to the following languages: Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, Korean, Italian, French and German. | Learn more about language expansion for Gemini in Sheets. 

    The Gemini app is now available to all education users
    We are expanding support for the Gemini app for Google Workspace for Education users of all ages. | Learn more about the Gemini app for education users.

    Completed rollouts

    The features below completed their rollouts to Rapid Release domains, Scheduled Release domains, or both. Please refer to the original blog posts for additional details.

    Rapid Release Domains: 
    Scheduled Release Domains: 
    Rapid and Scheduled Release Domains: 
    For a recap of announcements in the past six months, check out What’s new in Google Workspace (recent releases).


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    What’s changing

    We are expanding support for the Gemini app for Google Workspace for Education users of all ages:

    The Gemini app is covered under the Google Workspace for Education Terms of Service for all Workspace for Education users. Those terms include enterprise-grade data protections, so your data is not reviewed by anyone or otherwise used to train AI models. Gemini also supports compliance with many industry regulations like FERPA, COPPA, FedRamp, and HIPAA.

    What’s changing

    We are expanding support for the Gemini app for Google Workspace for Education users of all ages:

    The Gemini app is covered under the Google Workspace for Education Terms of Service for all Workspace for Education users. Those terms include enterprise-grade data protections, so your data is not reviewed by anyone or otherwise used to train AI models. Gemini also supports compliance with many industry regulations like FERPA, COPPA, FedRamp, and HIPAA.

    Who’s impacted

    Admins and end users

    Why it’s important

    AI can be a valuable tool for learning and creativity, which is why we are making Gemini available to all Google Workspace for Education users. Gemini incorporates LearnLM, our family of models fine-tuned for learning and built with experts in education, making it the world’s leading model for learning. 

    All of your Google Workspace for Education users will be able to use to the Gemini app (gemini.google.com and the mobile app) to do things like: 

    • Ask questions and receive in-the-moment support 
    • Create lesson plans and extra study materials
    • Get feedback on their work  and check their understanding
    • Practice using technology that will prepare them for an AI-driven future 
    • Brainstorm new ideas

    A distinct experience for younger learners (students under 18): 

    • Stricter content policies that prevent potentially inappropriate or harmful responses. For more information, check out The Keyword, Gemini safety center, and policy guidelines for the Gemini app.
    • A youth onboarding experience with AI literacy resources – endorsed by ConnectSafely and Family Online Safety Institute, to help younger students use AI responsibly
    • The first time a user asks a fact-based question a double-check response feature runs automatically powered by Google Search.  In subsequent searches, a user can validate an answer by clicking Double-check response.

    Additional details

    The Google Workspace Service Specific Terms, which include terms relevant to the Gemini app, have been updated to reflect the change regarding age restrictions. Google will process your users’ data as described in the Generative AI Workspace privacy hub. 

    Getting started

    Availability

    • This update impacts Google Workspace Education Fundamentals, Standard, and Plus customers

    Resources

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    What’s changing 

    Getting started 

    Rollout pace 

    Availability 

    What’s changing 

    Earlier this year, we introduced the ability for Gemini to provide insights and generate charts based on your data in Google Sheets. Today, we’re excited to expand this feature to the following languages: 
    • Spanish 
    • Portuguese 
    • Japanese 
    • Korean 
    • Italian 
    • French 
    • German 

    Who’s impacted 

    End users 

    Why you’d use it 

    This update reflects Gemini in Sheets’ enhanced intelligence as it now yields valuable outputs by transforming your requests into Python code, executing on them and then analyzing the results to perform multi-layered analysis. As a result, you’re able to do things like identify top-performing products and then instantly dive into their sales trends — all without writing a single line of code. 

    Additional details 


    Getting started 

    Rollout pace 

    Availability 

    Available for Google Workspace: 
    • Business Standard and Plus 
    • Enterprise Standard and Plus 
    • Customers with the Gemini Education or Gemini Education Premium add-on 
    • Google AI Pro and Ultra 
    Anyone who previously purchased these add-ons will also receive this feature: 
    • Gemini Business* 
    • Gemini Enterprise* 
    *As of January 15, 2025, we’re no longer offering the Gemini Business and Gemini Enterprise add-ons for sale. Please refer to this announcement for more details.

    Resources 

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    What’s changing 

    What’s changing 

    Beginning today, you can now access log events for the new data migration service in the audit and investigation tool and the security investigation tool. You can search across a variety of attributes including: 
    • Who started a migration 
    • What data is being migrated 
    • When the migration was set up or executed, and more. 
    Log events give admins clear insight into data migration activities in their organization, providing insights into who initiated the migration, the type of data involved, the migration progress, and even allows for proactive issue triaging and resolution. 

    For Google Workspace customers with access to the security investigation tool, you can find more information on each migrated object, troubleshoot issues, create custom rules, and more. And for select Google Workspace customers, log events can be exported to BigQuery for further analysis and custom reporting. See below for more information on availability.

    Data migration log events in the security investigation tool

    Getting started

    Rollout pace

    • Data migration log events in the security investigation tool: Available now.
    • BigQuery exports: Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on June 17, 2025

    Availability

    The audit and investigation tool is available for all Google Workspace customers.

    The security investigation tool is available for Google Workspace:
    • Enterprise Standard and Plus
    • Education Standard and Plus
    • Enterprise Essentials Plus
    • Frontline Standard
    • Cloud Identity Premium

    Exporting logs to BigQuery is available for Google Workspace:
    • Enterprise Standard and Plus
    • Education Standard and Plus
    • Enterprise Essentials Plus
    • Frontline Standard

    Resources

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    What’s changing

    Create a Google Vid from Google Slides
    Getting started 

    Availability 


    What’s changing

    At Google I/O, we introduced the ability to turn existing Google Slides content into engaging videos using Google Vids. Today, we’re starting to roll out the first iteration of this new experience for Vids customers. 

    When creating a new video in Vids, you’ll now see an option to “Import Slides”. From there, you can select the Slides presentation you'd like to use, and choose the specific slides you want to import. Vids will then create scenes using the text, images, and elements from each slide and you can make additional edits, such as adding animations to your objects or generating AI video clips with Veo 3.

    Create a Google Vid from Google Slides
    Getting started 

    • Admins: There is no admin control for this feature. 
    • End users: 
      • When creating a new Vid, access this feature by selecting the Import Slides option. 
      • For existing Vids, you can access this feature by going to the File menu > Import slides. 
      • Visit the Help Center to learn more about using Google Slides with Google Vids.

    Rollout pace 

    Availability 

    Available for Google Workspace: 
    • Business Starter, Standard and Plus 
    • Enterprise Starter, Standard and Plus 
    • Essentials, Enterprise Essentials and Enterprise Essentials Plus 
    • Education Plus 
    • Nonprofits 
    • Customers with the Gemini Education or Gemini Education Premium add-on 
    Anyone who previously purchased these add-ons will also receive this feature: 
    • Gemini Business* 
    • Gemini Enterprise*
    *As of January 15, 2025, we’re no longer offering the Gemini Business and Gemini Enterprise add-ons for sale. Please refer to this announcement for more details..

    Resources 

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    What’s changing

    Getting started 

    Rollout pace

    What’s changing

    Following last year's announcement of form creators being able to limit Google Form response access to specific users, groups, or target audiences, we’re introducing granular admin controls for form responses. 

    Specifically, admins can now independently control two distinct settings: 
    • Whether users in their domain can respond to forms created externally. 
    • Whether users in their domain can share forms with external recipients. 
    This new setting may help minimize data exfiltration risks by enabling admins to implement specific security measures for Forms, independent of existing Google Drive sharing restrictions. 

    Getting started 

    • Admins:
      • The Forms specific admin override will be ON by default for external sharing of forms created in the domain and for responding to forms created externally. 
      • There are two distinct override settings to control if forms created inside a domain can be shared externally for responses and whether users inside the domain can respond to external forms. These overrides can be applied to organizational units, similar to other Drive sharing policies. 
      • To control whether form owners can get responses from users outside their domain, go to the Admin console > Drive and Docs settings > “Form responses > “Allow forms owned by users in [your organization] to accept responses from anyone with the link outside [your organization], even if external sharing isn't allowed.” 
      • To control whether users in the domain are permitted to respond to forms created outside of the domain, go to the Admin console > Drive and Docs settings > “Form responses” > “Allow users in [your organization] to submit responses to forms from users or shared drives. outside of [your organization], even if receiving external files isn't allowed.” 
        • If ON, users in the domain will continue to be able to respond to external forms. 
        • If OFF, the admin setting to control whether external Drive documents can be shared into the domain will apply to Forms and form responders in your domain could be blocked from responding to external forms 
      • Visit the Help Center to learn more about managing external sharing for your organization.
    • End users: There is no end user setting for this feature. 
    new admin settings to control Google Form responses

    Rollout pace

    Availability 

    • Available to all Google Workspace customers 

    Resources 

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    What’s changing 



    What’s changing 

    You can now customize the styling of captions in Google Meet, including the font size, font type, color, and background color. This allows for the captions to be customized in a way that works best for you. 

    You can customize captions during the meeting by hovering over them or by going to Settings > Captions > Customize your captions. Your settings will persist across your meetings and can be changed at any time.

    Example of customized captions in Meet

    Getting started

    Google Meet > Settings > Captions > Customize your captions


    Rollout pace


    Availability

    • Available to all Google Workspace customers, as well as users with personal Google accounts

    Resources


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