Note: We make every effort to launch products and features according to the processes described below, but we can’t guarantee that every change will follow these guidelines. We reserve the right to change our process at any time.
You don’t have to install software to get new features in Google Workspace. Most new features appear in users' accounts automatically. As an administrator, you can choose whether new features appear soon after the feature is announced or later by selecting a release track.
Choose a release track
You can choose to have your account on either the Rapid Release or the Scheduled Release track.
- Rapid Release—Your users are among the first to see new features when they’re released to Google Workspace. This means your users typically can access new features immediately or soon after they’re launched to consumers.
- Scheduled Release (default setting)—Your users get new features at least 1 week after they’re released to Rapid Release domains. This gives you more time to prepare your organization for changes.
Most Rapid and Scheduled Release track features are available in multiple languages.
Tip for large organizations: Select the Scheduled Release track for your production account. Then, set up Rapid Release on a separate Google Workspace account under a different domain, which allows you to try new features before they’re available to your users.
What launches follow release tracks?
Launches that typically follow release tracks involve significant changes for users to the web-based version of these products: Gmail, Google Meet, Calendar, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Groups, Keep, Voice, and Sites.
Typically, the following types of launches don't follow release tracks:
- Admin features that don’t impact users
- User features controlled by admins (that is, when admins have to turn on the feature)
- Mobile features
- Noticeable changes to products not listed above
Rollout paces
To ensure a smooth rollout, Google releases features at different paces depending on their nature and complexity. A feature’s launch announcement on the Google Workspace Updates blog includes the rollout date and pace for each release track.
For certain reasons, such as the security, safety, or reliability of a product, these timelines can be extended or changed without announcement.
The rollout paces:
- Full rollout (1–3 days for feature visibility)
- Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility)
- Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility)
Change your release track
Warning: If you switch from Rapid Release to Scheduled Release, your users might lose access to features currently on the Rapid Release track.
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Sign in to your Google Admin console.
Sign in using your administrator account (does not end in @gmail.com).
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In the Admin console, go to Menu
Account
Account settings
- In the Release preferences section, click New features.
- Select Rapid release or Scheduled release.
- Click Save.
Changes can take up to 24 hours but typically happen more quickly. Learn more
Set up a separate Rapid Release track
You might want to set up some of your users on a separate Rapid Release track, for example, to test new features before they go out on a Scheduled Release.
To do this, set up a separate Google Workspace account with a separate domain for your own Google Workspace account, for example, test.your-company.com. On the new separate account, choose the Rapid Release track.
You can't set the Rapid Release track to a domain alias, secondary domain, or a child Organizational unit or Group.
