Google Workspace Changes

Non-Google users can now book Google Workspace resources directly from their preferred calendar service.

An open beta is being introduced allowing non-Google users, including those on Microsoft Outlook, to book Google Workspace resources such as rooms or equipment directly from their preferred calendar system. Admins can grant specific non-Google users or entire domains booking permissions via the Admin Console. Once configured, non-Google users can reserve resources by simply adding the resource's email address to their calendar event guest list.

Automatic migration of legacy restricted access items to limited access settings in Google Drive.

Google Drive is automatically migrating items with legacy restricted access to the limited access folder setting. This update ensures consistent management of restricted access and does not change who can see or access the files. Users can audit their own files with limited access using the search operator 'owner:me is:limitedaccess', and migrated items will indicate that limited access was applied by Google Drive.

Non-Google users can now book Google Workspace resources from their preferred calendar services.

Google Workspace is introducing an open beta that allows non-Google users, such as those using Microsoft Outlook, to book shared resources like rooms, projectors, or company cars directly from their own calendar service. Admins can grant booking permissions to specific non-Google users or entire domains via the Admin Console. Once configured, non-Google users can reserve a resource by adding its email address to a calendar event guest list. Additionally, for organizations using Microsoft Outlook, admins can configure Calendar Interop to allow Outlook users to find resources by name and view availability before sending an invite.

Users in the US and Canada with Business editions can now purchase the AI Expanded Access add-on directly.

Google Workspace is introducing a new capability that allows end users in the United States and Canada with Business Standard or Business Plus editions to purchase the AI Expanded Access add-on directly using their own payment method. This update aims to reduce bottlenecks by allowing motivated users to obtain higher access to advanced AI tools—such as Gemini, NotebookLM, Veo 3, and Google Vids—without requiring IT administrator procurement. Administrators maintain full control and can disable the feature or cancel subscriptions through the Admin console.

Export Google Vids directly to YouTube

Users can now publish videos created in Google Vids directly to YouTube via the File menu, removing the need to export projects as MP4 files and manually upload them. To ensure security and creative control, all exported videos are initially set to Private, allowing users to review content in YouTube Studio before adjusting visibility to Public or Unlisted.

Google Meet is now available on Apple CarPlay for hands-free, audio-only meetings.

Google Meet is now integrated with Apple CarPlay, allowing users to join meetings, view their upcoming schedule, and participate in audio-only calls directly from their vehicle's dashboard. To ensure driving safety, the camera is automatically turned off and incoming video content is not displayed. This feature is available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts.

Google Vids now allows direct export of videos to YouTube, simplifying the publishing process.

Users of Google Vids can now publish their created videos directly to YouTube, eliminating the need to first export as an MP4 and then upload. This new feature streamlines the workflow for creating and sharing various types of video content, such as marketing videos or training materials. To ensure security and creative control, all directly exported videos are initially set to Private, allowing users to review them in YouTube Studio before changing their visibility to Public or Unlisted.

Google Meet is now available on Apple CarPlay for hands-free meeting participation.

Google Meet has launched on Apple CarPlay, enabling users to join meetings directly from their car's dashboard. This feature allows hands-free audio-only participation in meetings, with the camera automatically turned off to ensure focus on driving. It offers a seamless transition from iOS devices to CarPlay-compatible vehicles, allowing users to view their upcoming schedule and join calls with a single tap.

Gemini in Google Slides can now generate fully editable, brand-matched slides and enhance existing layouts.

Gemini in Google Slides has been upgraded to create fully editable slides using dynamic layouts tailored to specific content and brand styles. By securely analyzing existing decks or referenced files from Google Drive, Gemini ensures visual consistency across presentations. Users can also modify existing slides to change layouts, design elements, or content by using the 'Create' or 'Enhance this slide' features.

Google Meet recordings will now allow viewers to download and copy by default for new recordings.

Starting April 30, 2026, the default setting for new Google Meet recordings will change to allow viewers to download or copy them, unless the recording owner manually restricts this. This change also enables the 'Ask Gemini' functionality within the Drive viewer for viewers by default. Admins can manage this setting via the Admin console under 'Meet video settings > Let Users download and copy Meet Recordings' at the domain, OU, or group level.

Gemini can now create fully editable, brand-matched slides in Google Slides using dynamic layouts tailored to your content, with secure analysis of existing decks for consistent design.

Gemini in Google Slides now enables users to generate fully editable, brand-matched slides with dynamic layouts from a text prompt. The feature securely analyzes existing presentations to ensure visual consistency with an established style. Users can also reference specific files from Google Drive for content or style, or allow Gemini to automatically suggest relevant files. Additionally, users can edit existing slides to modify layouts, design elements, or content. This functionality is supported in English and several other languages, with rollout starting on March 31, 2026.

Gemini-powered question suggestions in Google Forms are now available in 28 more languages.

Google has expanded the availability of Gemini-powered question suggestions in Google Forms to 28 additional languages, including Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, Korean, French, Italian, and German, helping users generate form questions more efficiently.

Help me create in Google Forms is now available in 21 more languages.

The 'Help me create' feature in Google Forms, which allows users to generate draft forms using prompts or by referencing supporting Docs, Sheets, Slides, or PDFs, has expanded its availability to 21 additional languages, including Arabic, French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish.

Ransomware detection and file restoration for Google Drive is now generally available with improved malware detection.

Google Workspace has made ransomware detection and file restoration capabilities generally available for eligible Google Drive customers. This security feature helps protect user files by detecting suspicious files potentially impacted by ransomware and enables users to quickly restore previous safe versions. The updated AI model detects 14 times more infections than the beta version, offering more comprehensive protection. Admins can track ransomware alerts in the Admin console, view impacted users and files, and receive email notifications, while users receive desktop notifications and can easily bulk restore files.

Bulk file restoration for Google Drive is now generally available.

Google Drive now allows users to bulk restore multiple files to a previous version, enabling them to recover data after a ransomware attack without paying a ransom. This feature is available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts.