Google Workspace Changes

Starting September 1, 2026, Google Pics becomes generally available for Rapid Release domains (with a gradual rollout up to September 16) and Scheduled Release domains (starting September 15, rolling out through September 30). It integrates AI image generation and precise object-based editing into Docs, Slides, Drive, and more, offering features like text‑to‑image generation, local element editing, text editing within images, cropping, upscaling to 2K/4K, version history, and collaboration, with usage limits through February 28, 2027.

Previously, adding a co‑presenter in Google Meet required multiple manual steps. Now, Gemini intelligently suggests a co‑presenter in the Ask Gemini in Meet panel, and with just one click the main presenter can allow another user to co‑present their Google Slides presentation. The nudge appears only for the main presenter on Chrome or Edge when a participant uses a trigger phrase like “Can you please add me as a co‑presenter?” or “Next slide please.”

Google Drive now supports direct file previewing for client-side encrypted (CSE) PDF and image files, enabling authorized users to view encrypted content in their web browser without needing to download the files. Admins with eligible Workspace licenses can sign up for the beta program, which is available for Enterprise Plus, Education Standard and Plus, Frontline Plus, Assured Controls, and Assured Controls Plus editions.

Gemini-powered AI classification in Google Drive is now available in open beta. It automates file identification and labeling, helping organizations enforce DLP policies, set retention rules, and use label metadata in audits. Admins can define instructions for Gemini models to classify files without manual training, retain control, and let end users review or modify labels. Metrics are available in the Admin console. Rollout to Rapid and Scheduled Release domains begins August 28, 2026, completing by September 30, 2026.

Google Calendar introduces a new per-event setting, 'Get an email when guests respond,' allowing organizers to suppress RSVP emails and automatic replies like out-of-office messages. When unchecked, organizers will not receive RSVP emails from Google Calendar or third‑party calendar attendees, and third‑party RSVPs won’t appear on the event, though Google Calendar RSVPs remain visible. The setting applies to the full series for recurring events. It rolls out gradually to Rapid Release domains starting August 28, 2026 (up to 15 days) and to Scheduled Release domains starting September 10, 2026 (1–3 days). The feature is available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual subscribers, and personal Google accounts.

Google Calendar has been updated to improve interoperability with Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Cisco Webex. For outgoing invitations, the conferencing URL is automatically placed in the event's Location field so external clients display it as a clickable button. For incoming invitations from external systems, Google Calendar extracts the meeting URL, ID, and passcode and surfaces a prominent 'Join video call' button on the event across Web, Android, and iOS. No admin controls are needed; the feature rolls out to Rapid and Scheduled Release domains starting August 27, 2026.

Administrators can now configure Context-Aware Access policies for Google Classroom directly from the Admin console at the organizational unit or group level. This allows them to restrict access based on attributes such as geographic region, device security status, and IP address, integrating Classroom into broader Workspace security frameworks to protect sensitive school and student data. The feature is available immediately for both Rapid and Scheduled Release domains for Education Standard and Plus editions.

Google Sheets now supports grouped field persistence for pivot tables. When you create custom groupings or work with grouped date, time, or numeric fields, these fields are retained directly in the pivot table editor sidebar as reusable source fields, allowing you to unassign them from your active table layout without losing their underlying configuration, making it easy to re-add or modify them at any time. Additionally, this update improves interoperability with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) files by preserving grouped field configurations when importing/exporting spreadsheet files, eliminating the need to manually recreate groupings.

The migration planning utility, which helps customers with change management and data migration forecasting, has been extended to support Microsoft Teams. It offers migration timeline estimates and organizes user data into speed-optimized batches, simplifying discovery and enabling data-driven planning for large-scale enterprise migrations from Microsoft 365 to Google Workspace.

The migration planning utility helps administrators assess their source data corpus, estimate migration timelines, and improve change management planning. It offers a frictionless discovery experience and data-driven forecasts to streamline large-scale enterprise migrations from Microsoft 365 to Google Workspace.

Starting August 31, 2026, Google Meet hardware touch controllers will gain direct controls for the Gemini-powered 'Take notes for me' feature, allowing in-room participants to start, stop, and pause note-taking via a dedicated badge on the touchscreen without needing Companion mode. The rollout begins with Early Preview devices on August 31, followed by Rapid and Scheduled Release domains on September 8, with visibility expanding over up to 15 days. The feature is available for Business Standard/Plus, Enterprise Standard/Plus, Google AI Plus/Pro/Ultra, Frontline Plus, and Google AI Pro for Education add-ons, provided the organization has 'Take notes for me' enabled and the hardware license supports it.

The update introduces general availability of data import for Microsoft Teams, enabling admins to copy channel messages, group chats, and direct conversations from Teams to Workspace via a turnkey, scalable cloud-native solution accessible from the admin console, with faster migration speeds, no additional costs, and high fidelity import of both channels and private chats.

Google Workspace data import (advanced mode) is now generally available, allowing IT teams to import large volumes of files and permissions from Microsoft OneDrive directly via the admin console. The service supports concurrent batches, automatically adjusts speed to match Microsoft licensing tiers, and offers faster migration through parallelization and improved algorithms, all at no additional cost.

Google Chat introduces a new 'View members' setting for space owners and managers, allowing them to control who can see the full member list with four permission levels: Owners only, Owners & managers, All members (default), or Entire organization. This enhances privacy for sensitive, large-scale, or external collaboration spaces, similar to Google Groups membership controls. Regardless of the setting, users can always see the name and profile of anyone who sends a message in the space. No admin control is required; end users adjust the setting via Space Settings > Membership > View Members. The feature rolls out gradually over up to 15 days starting August 24, 2026, for both Rapid and Scheduled Release domains and is available to all Google Workspace customers.