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. Rapid Release track features are covered by the Google Workspace Terms of Service. Pre-General Availability Offerings Terms do not apply. Learn more about Google Workspace Service Specific Terms
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 your users can try out early general availability (early GA) features or wait until after they’re released 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 in Google Workspace—including access to early GA features. This means your users can try out powerful new tools, provide valuable feedback that shapes product development, and stay ahead of the curve with up-to-date technologies like cutting-edge AI tools. You get to incorporate the latest advancements into your workflows, while helping us develop useful Google Workspace features. Note that opting into early GA programs may temporarily result in different UI experiences for different users as part of the testing process.
- Scheduled Release—Your users get new features at least one week after they’re released to Rapid Release domains. This gives you more time to prepare your organization for changes.
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.
If you want to get more involved in testing and offering feedback on Workspace features during their development, sign up for our Alpha Community. Learn more about software testing phases
What launches follow release tracks?
Launches that typically follow release tracks involve significant changes for users to Google Workspace Core Services. The following types of launches don't usually 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)
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 typically 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 with an administrator account to the Google Admin console.
If you aren’t using an administrator account, you can’t access the Admin console.
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Go to Menu
Account > Account settings > Preferences.
Requires having the Domain settings administrator privilege.
- 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 different release tracks for your organization
Some organizations may want to use different release tracks for different groups of users. For example, you can let a specific group of users test new features before they go out to everyone in the organization.
To create a test group:
- 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.
- For the main account, choose the Scheduled Release track.
You can't set the Rapid Release track to a domain alias, secondary domain, or a child Organizational unit or Group.
