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What’s changing 
Using context-aware access, you now have the option to automatically block access to Google Workspace data from compromised Android and iOS devices. A device may be counted as compromised if certain unusual events are detected, including devices that are jailbroken, bypassing of security controls, modification of restricted settings, and more.

Creating a new rule to block compromised mobile devices


Blocking message for compromised iOS and Android devices






Getting started

Rollout pace
  • Block access to Google Workspace data: available immediately for both Android and iOS.
  • Remediation message: available immediately for Android, available on May 9, 2024 for iOS. 

Availability
Available to Google Workspace
  • Enterprise Standard and Plus
  • Education Standard and Plus
  • Frontline Standard
  • Enterprise Essentials Plus
  • Cloud Identity Premium

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What’s changing 
Directly from the Admin console, admins can remotely set custom configs for managed iOS apps on end-user devices for their enterprise using Google Mobile Device Management. Managed configurations are applied using XML property lists and the same app can be configured differently across different domains, groups, or organizational units (OUs).

Creating the app configuration using XML information


Applying the configuration


Who’s impacted
Admins and end users


Why it’s important
Prior to this update, mobile app configuration was only available for managed Android devices. Beginning today, Workspace admins can use Managed App Configuration to set custom app configurations and deploy them to manage iOS devices across their organization. This gives admins the flexibility they need to create safety parameters that align with the various needs of users across their organization.




Getting started

Rollout pace

Availability

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What’s changing 
In late 2023, we introduced user enrollment in beta, an additional option for iOS mobile management. User enrollment separates work and personal data on iOS devices, giving admins control over Workspace data on the device while users retain privacy over their personal data. Beginning today, user enrollment is now generally available. For more information, use our Help Center or reference our original announcement.


Getting started


Rollout pace

Availability
  • Available to Google Workspace Enterprise Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Essentials Plus, Frontline Standard, Frontline Starter, Business Plus, Cloud Identity Premium, Education Standard, Education Plus and Nonprofits customers.


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What’s changing
In the coming weeks, we’ll be introducing several improvements to Chrome-on-iOS that will help admins more seamlessly apply policies and preferences across their users’ managed devices. This launch will align with the planned release of Chrome 121. Specifically, these improvements are: 
  • Cross-device policy application: Whether it’s a company-owned or personal device, Chrome User Policies can be applied when a user signs into the Chrome browser with their managed account. This ensures a consistent and secure browsing experience across all devices.
  • Management notice for end-users: Managed end-users will begin seeing a management notice, informing them that their organization manages the account they are signing into. This transparency not only fosters trust but also keeps users informed about the security measures in place to protect their data. 
  • Admin console integration: Admins can easily activate this functionality through the Admin console under the "Chrome on iOS" Browser setting. This centralized control allows admins to tailor policies to meet the specific needs of their organization, ensuring a customized and secure browsing environment for all users.
Getting started
 
We’ll remind you that your account is managed upon login and when you’re logged in.


Rollout pace
End user notifications

Admin console integration

Availability
  • Available to all Chrome Browser Cloud Management and Google Workspace customers

Resources

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What’s changing 
Ensuring only managed applications can access sensitive information is vital to security. Currently, when admins make a policy change that results in an app going from unmanaged to managed, if a policy violation is detected, a 24-hour grace period is given to users to comply with the change. After this grace period, users will lose the ability to access their Google Workspace account. 


Moving forward, we’re adjusting a few components to how this grace period operates to boost compliance and prevent inadvertent circumvention. Specifically:

Grace Period 

Situation

Next Steps



None 

-The managed apps policy violation is detected during the device enrollment.

-The managed apps policy violation by an app is detected after 24 hrs from the moment the admin changes the policy.

Users will be prompted to install the app from the Google Device Policy app for IOS or they will lose access to Google Workspace.

Visit the Help Center to learn more.


24 hours

The managed apps policy violation by an app is detected within the 24hrs from the moment the admin changes the policy. 



Who’s impacted
Admins and end users


Why it’s important
Improving these safeguards helps ensure that  only managed applications can access sensitive organization information. If the managed applications do not meet the requirements of the access policies set by admins, managed application access to Workspace data is deactivated until users take the proper steps.


Getting started

Rollout pace
Availability
  • Available to Google Workspace Frontline Starter and Frontline Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Standard and Enterprise Plus, Education Standard and Education Plus; Enterprise Essentials and Enterprise Essentials Plus and Cloud Identity Premium customers

Resources

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What’s changing 
In 2019, we announced that a new Android management client, Android Device Policy, would replace the legacy Google Apps Device Policy client. We’re now in the final stages of this upgrade. 


All devices with the Google Apps Device Policy will lose access during March 2023 if they have not already upgraded. Existing Google Apps Device Policy app users must switch to Android Device Policy before then to continue syncing work data. Note that, per our last update, the new user registration flow on the legacy Google Apps Device Policy will be blocked and users may see errors during the registration process as of January 2022. Admins can act directly from the alert in the Admin console to identify users who need to upgrade.




Visit the Help Center to learn more about migrating to Android Device Policy and our previous announcement for more information.


Getting started 

Rollout pace
  • Devices on the old agent will lose access during March 2023. 
  • Android Device Policy is available now and all users should upgrade to avoid disruption.  


Availability
  • This change impacts Google Workspace customers who use basic and advanced mobile management.


Resources

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New updates 
Unless otherwise indicated, the features below are fully launched or in the process of rolling out (rollouts should take no more than 15 business days to complete), 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), and available to all Google Workspace and G Suite customers. 



Update 
[February 2, 2022]: We have temporarily paused the rollout for this feature. We apologize for the delay and we will share an update once rollout resumes.

PPTX file limit increase in Google Slides 
You can now import PPTX files up to 300MB into Google Slides using Office Editing mode — previously, 100MB was the maximum. Once imported, you can save back your edits to the underlying PPTX file. | Available to all Google Workspace customers and users with personal Google accounts. | Learn more.



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. 



Use a new enterprise certificate condition to set context-aware access rules for company-managed devices 
When configuring context-aware access rules, you can now use a new signal to determine whether a device is company-owned. | Available to Google Workspace Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Standard, Education Plus, and Cloud Identity Premium customers. | Learn more. 



For a recap of announcements in the past six months, check out What’s new in Google Workspace (recent releases).
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Quick launch summary 
When configuring context-aware access rules, you can now use a new signal to determine whether a device is company-owned. By using new enterprise certificates as an alternative context-aware signal to determine if a device is a company-managed asset, you can set more specific context-aware policies that are appropriate based on the trustworthiness of the device. 
admin console screen to configure context-aware access rules
The Admin console screen to configure context-aware access rules using enterprise certificate condition


Getting started 
Rollout pace 
  • This feature is now available for all eligible users. 
Availability 
  • Available to Google Workspace Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Standard, Education Plus, and Cloud Identity Premium customers 
  • Not available to Google Workspace Essentials, Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Essentials, Education Fundamentals, Frontline, and Nonprofits, as well as legacy G Suite Basic and Business, and Cloud Identity Free customers 
Resources 
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Quick launch summary 
The Google Device Policy app won’t support mobile devices running iOS version 11 or lower after August 2021. If your organization has advanced mobile device management (MDM) enabled, users must upgrade to iOS version 12 or higher to access new MDM features or to download the Device Policy app for the first time. 


We will remove support for iOS 11 in the first release of the Device Policy app beginning September 2021. Therefore please ensure your users upgrade their devices by the end of August 2021 to avoid any disruption to their work. 


Use our Help Center to find more information on minimum device requirements for Google mobile management.
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What’s changing 
We’re adding the ability for admins to manually block or unblock mobile apps from accessing their organization’s Google Workspace data on Android and iOS devices with basic mobile management. These actions can be automated using device management rules (for supported editions). 


Who’s impacted 
Admins 


Why it’s important 
Previously, admins had a limited set of actions they could perform with basic management—they could wipe an account or delete the device from inventory. However, they couldn’t block apps on those devices from accessing organizational data in the way that they could for devices with advanced mobile management. This launch makes that possible, helping to keep your organization’s data secure. 

While the blocking action is the same for devices with basic and advanced management, advanced management allows you to proactively block devices based on the Require Admin Approval setting. With basic management, you can only do this on a per-device basis. 


Getting started 
  • Admins: This feature will be available by default. To use it, navigate to a device page in the Admin console and click block device. Visit the Help Center to learn more about blocking and unblocking devices. 
  • End users: If a user’s device is blocked by an admin, the user will be signed out of all Google Workspace mobile apps. If they try to sign in again, they will see a message indicating that they do not have access to the app, and that they should contact their administrator for help. 
New option to block a device available for devices with basic management 

Once a device is manually blocked, admins can unblock the device 

Those trying to access Google Workspace apps on a blocked device will see a message to contact the administrator for help 


Rollout pace 
Availability 
  • Available to Google Workspace Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus, Essentials, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Standard, and Enterprise Plus, as well as G Suite Basic, Business, Education, Enterprise for Education, and Nonprofits customers 
Resources 
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Quick launch summary We’re making improvements to how you manage rules related to mobile device management (MDM) in the Admin console. There are two key aspects of the launch: 
  1. A new location for MDM rules: You can now manage rules at Devices > Security rules. Previously, MDM rules were managed at Admin console > Rules. 
  2. New rule options and creation workflow: You’ll see a new flow to create MDM rules, including new conditions which can trigger rules, and new device management and notification actions to take as a result. 
Use our Help Center to learn more about managing MDM rules for your organization. Note that any previously created rules will continue to function as before. However, you’ll be able to use the new flow and options if you update the rules. 


Getting started 
Device management rules are now in the Security rules section of the Admin console 

A sample screen from the new rule creation flow 

Rollout pace 
Availability 
  • Available to Google Workspace Enterprise Standard, and Enterprise Plus, Enterprise for Education, and Cloud Identity Premium customers 
  • Not available to Google Workspace Essentials, Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Essentials, as well as G Suite Basic, Business, Education, and Nonprofits customers 
Resources 
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What’s changing 
We’re announcing new integrations with our BeyondCorp Alliance partners Check Point and Lookout. The integrations, initially available in beta, are built using the Devices API and enable customers to use third party signals in context-aware access decisions. 


Who’s impacted
Admins 


Why it’s important 
In the BeyondCorp security model, device inventory, state, and security posture are central to making context-aware access decisions. So far our context-aware access solution obtained these signals from first party (i.e. Google) sources, such as Endpoint Verification. However our vision has always been to help customers to fully leverage their existing investments in security tools and controls, add key functionality and signals to Google’s context-aware access to achieve superior access control security posture for our customers. The BeyondCorp Alliance is a group of partners that share our Zero Trust vision and who are committed to working with us to help our joint customers make it a reality. 


Today, we are excited to announce the first integrations (in beta) with our BeyondCorp Alliance partners Check Point and Lookout, to use third party signals in our context-aware access decisions. For example, the mobile threat defence system might detect malware on the device and notify Google about a reduced security assurance, and customer-defined access rules can reduce the level of access allowed from such devices, without impacting access for that user from other devices or for other users. The integrations are built using the new Devices API we announced earlier this year. The API was designed to be used by partners in the BeyondCorp Alliance to add device security metadata, and also by customers to manage their device fleet. 


Getting started 
  • Admins: Google customers who use Checkpoint or Lookout as their mobile threat defense solutions can benefit from the integration. Visit our Help Center for more information and to learn more about how to set up third-party partner integrations. You can also see blog posts by our partners to see more about how you can use Check Point or Lookout solutions as part of this integration. 
  • End users: No impact for end users. 
Rollout pace 
Availability 
  • Available to Enterprise Plus, Enterprise for Education, and Cloud Identity Premium customers 
  • Not available to Essentials, Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Essentials, and Enterprise Standard, as well as G Suite Basic, Business, Education, and Nonprofits customers
Resources 
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What’s changing 
We’re creating a single place to manage web and mobile apps in the Admin console. With the new location, we’ll also be updating the management interface to be more consistent and intuitive. You’ll find this at Admin console > Apps > Web and mobile apps. There, you’ll be able to see configured apps, search apps, add apps, manage user access, adjust settings, and more for: 
You’ll no longer be able to manage apps in the previous locations. However, you’ll still manage the Android available apps and system apps settings in Admin console > Devices > Mobile settings. 


Who’s impacted 
Admins 


Why it’s important 
By reducing the locations you need to use to manage different categories of apps and creating simplified and consistent workflows, it will be quicker and simpler to manage app use and deployment for your organization. 


Additional details
New location for web and mobile apps:


New and consistent experience to add web and mobile apps:


Unified settings and quick controls to view access and manage apps:


Getting started 
  • Admins: Find the new app management location at Admin console > Apps > Web and mobile apps. Visit the Help Center to learn more about managing Android and iOS apps, and SAML apps for your organization. 
  • End users: No end user impact. 
Rollout pace 
Availability 
Mobile app management: 
  • Available to Business Plus; Enterprise; Education and Enterprise for Education; G Suite Basic and Business; and Nonprofits customers
  • Not available to Business Starter, Essentials, and Enterprise Essentials customers.
SAML app management: 
  • Available to Essentials, Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education, Enterprise for Education, and Nonprofits customers
Resources 
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[Updates] 
March 7, 2023: All devices with the Google Apps Device Policy will lose access during March 2023. Existing Google Apps Device Policy app users must switch to Android Device Policy before then to continue syncing work data. Note that, per our last update, the new user registration flow on Google Apps Device Policy will be blocked and users may see errors during the registration process as of January 2022. See below for more information and instructions.

January 26, 2022: The new user registration flow on Google Apps Device Policy will be blocked and users may see errors during the registration process.


October 21, 2021: We have adjusted the timing for this change. Now, Google Apps Device Policy app won't be available for new enrollments beginning January 19, 2022. Existing Google Apps Device Policy app users must switch to Android Device Policy before March 19, 2022 to continue syncing work data. Previously, we stated that users must switch before October 26, 2021. 

What’s changing 
Last year, we announced that a new Android management client, Android Device Policy, would replace the legacy Google Apps Device Policy client. We’re now discontinuing the legacy client. 


To ensure that devices enrolled by users with advanced management will continue to sync and have access to data, users in your organization must switch to Android Device Policy before March 19, 2022. Google Apps Device Policy app won't be available for new enrollments beginning January 19, 2022. If users still have Google Device Policy on this date, they won't be able to sync their devices or access data.
 

To switch to Android Device Policy, users must have an Android 6.0 Marshmallow or later device that supports a work profile. For users with devices that don’t meet these requirements, consider switching to basic mobile device management. 


Devices enrolled by users with basic management must move to Android 6.0 Marshmallow or later before March 19, 2022 to continue enforcing a screen lock. If a user's device can't be upgraded to Android 6.0 or later, their device will continue to sync and retain access to data, however it will not be able to enforce a screen lock. 


Who’s impacted 
Admins and end users 


Why it’s important 
The latest Android devices and operating system (OS) versions provide improved security features. Moving to Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) or newer can help ensure all devices are protected by the latest security features, and can take advantage of improvements in the Android enterprise experience. 


Getting started 

Rollout pace 
  • Rapid and Scheduled Release domains: All devices must complete the upgrade by March 19, 2022. Google Apps Device Policy app won't be available for new enrollments beginning January 19, 2022. Android Device Policy is available now for all users. 

Availability 
  • Available to Workspace Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Standard, and Enterprise Plus, as well as G Suite Basic, Business, Education, Enterprise for Education, and Nonprofits customers
  • Not available to Workspace Essentials 

Resources 
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Quick launch summary 
The Google Device Policy app won’t support mobile devices running iOS version 10 or lower after the end of 2020. If your organization has advanced mobile device management (MDM) enabled, users must upgrade to iOS version 11 or higher to access new MDM features or to download the Device Policy app for the first time. 

We will remove support for iOS 10 in the first release of the Device Policy app in 2021. Therefore please ensure your users upgrade their devices before the end of the year to avoid any disruption to their work. 

Use our Help Center to find more information on minimum device requirements for Google mobile management.
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Quick launch summary 
Earlier this year, we announced that a new API to manage company-owned and personal mobile devices and desktop devices was available in beta. Now, we’re making that API generally available. There are no changes to the new API since we launched the beta. 

The new Devices API enables you to manage mobile and desktop devices within your organization. It is intended to fully replace the existing Mobiledevices endpoint of the Admin SDK Directory API, and provides some significant additional functionality as described below. The Mobiledevices endpoint (aka “old API”) will continue to be supported. 

The device management API implements the following new functionality not found in the Mobiledevices endpoint of the Directory API: 
  • Support for desktop devices 
  • Add company owned devices to the device inventory 
  • Manage company-owned devices inventory 
  • Manage desktop device inventory 
  • Ability to manage devices under all management modes (Fundamental, Basic or Advanced) 
  • Create and manage custom state with each user account on a device. This custom state can be used in making context-aware access decisions. 

In addition, the following main functionality from the older API is also available in the new API: 
  • Manage BYOD inventory for Android and iOS devices 
  • Manage organizational user accounts on devices 
  • Devices under Basic or Advanced management can be managed 
  • Perform actions such as wipe on devices and organizational user accounts on devices 
  • Search devices and organizational user accounts on devices 



Getting started 
Rollout pace 
Availability 
  • Available to all G Suite customers 
Resources 
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What’s changing 
We’re launching a beta for a new API to manage company-owned and personal mobile devices and desktop devices. It will work for devices managed via fundamental management, endpoint verification, Drive File Steam, and enhanced desktop security for Windows. Find out more about device management in G Suite. 

The new API is part of the Cloud Identity API, and will eventually replace the Admin SDK Directory API used to manage mobile devices. 


Who’s impacted 
Admins and developers 


Why you’d use it 
The new API includes all the capabilities of the Admin SDK Directory API it will replace. In addition, it adds these new features over and above the Admin SDK: 
  • Ability to create and manage company owned devices 
  • Ability to manage Windows devices registered with the Google Credential Provider for Windows 
  • Ability to manage desktop services such as those with the “Endpoint Verification” extension or those with Drive File Stream installed on them 
Getting started 
Rollout pace 
Availability 
  • The beta is open to all G Suite customers. 
Resources 
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What’s changing 
We’re launching an integration between Google endpoint management and Apple Business Manager (formerly the Device Enrollment Program, or DEP). This makes it possible to securely distribute and manage company-owned iOS devices from the Google Admin console. 

The integration will enable G Suite Enterprise, G Suite Enterprise for Education, G Suite Enterprise Essentials, and Cloud Identity Premium customers to set Google endpoint management as an MDM server on Apple Business Manager. 


Who’s impacted 
Admins 


Why you’d use it 
With the integration between Google endpoint management and Apple Business Manager: 
  • Admins can manage company-owned iOS devices directly from the Admin console, in the same location as they manage other devices that access their organization’s data. 
  • Admins can control a wider range of features including app installation, Apple app usage, authentication methods, and more, as shown in this table of supervised company-owned iOS device settings. 
  • Apple Business Manager and Google endpoint management automatically sync for seamless device management. 
  • Users follow a simple device setup and enrollment through the built-in setup wizard. 
Apple Business Manager setup in the Admin console



Getting started 
  • Admins: To use this feature, you need to enable advanced mobile management for iOS devices in applicable OUs, and have an Apple Business Manager account set up. Visit our Help Center to learn more about how to set up company-owned iOS device management. 
  • End users: There is no end user setting for this feature. Once provisioned by an admin, users can follow the device setup wizard steps to enroll the device. Once the setup wizard is complete, the Google Device Policy app will automatically install and the user should sign in to it with their G Suite or Cloud Identity account. 
Rollout pace 
Availability 
  • Available to G Suite Enterprise, G Suite Enterprise for Education, G Suite Enterprise Essentials, and Cloud Identity Premium customers 
  • Not available to G Suite Basic, G Suite Business, G Suite for Education, G Suite for Nonprofits, and G Suite Essentials customers 
Resources 
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What’s changing We’re making it possible to issue digital certificates to iOS and Android devices for secure access even when those devices are not connected to the corporate network. This will make it easier to provide new mobile devices with identification, authentication, and access to G Suite and other corporate resources. This is available to G Suite Enterprise, G Suite Enterprise for Education, and Cloud Identity Premium customers using Google Endpoint Management via an on-premises connector.

Who’s impacted Admins

Why it’s important Certificates are an important way to identify and authenticate mobile devices so they are able to securely access corporate resources. These resources can include G Suite, enterprise WiFi hotspots, and more.

Some customers include a requirement for devices to be on-premise and protected by a firewall in order to distribute device certificates. As some users can no longer access corporate locations and networks, customers need a way to issue these certificates remotely.

By providing this feature, we are helping these customers keep their employees connected and productive even when they’re not in the office.

Getting started 

Rollout pace 
  • This feature is available now. 

Availability 
  • Available to G Suite Enterprise, G Suite Enterprise for Education, and Cloud Identity Premium customers 
  • Not available to G Suite Basic, G Suite Business, G Suite for Education, G Suite for Nonprofits, and Cloud Identity Free customers 

Resources 
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Quick launch summary We’re making some updates to the My Devices page. Users can go to the page to see the devices they’ve used to log in to G Suite and then manage those devices. It includes detailed device information, an option to log out of the device, and an option to wipe the device. You may notice:

  • A new URL, as the page is now found at mydevices.google.com, rather than google.com/apps/mydevices. Soon, we’ll start to redirect users from the old site to the new site. 
  • The page now includes both mobile and desktop devices. The old page only showed mobile devices. 
  • Detailed device information. This is the same as the previous site. 
  • Options to manage device access and wipe the device if desired. This is the same as the previous site. 


The new My Devices page at mydevices.google.com 


The old My Devices page at google.com/apps/mydevices 
Availability Rollout details 


G Suite editions 
Available to all G Suite editions

On/off by default? 
This feature will be ON by default.

Stay up to date with G Suite launches
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