Pick up where you left off with persistent drafts in Google Chat

We are introducing persistent drafts in Google Chat. Unsent messages are now automatically saved so you can finish and send later, and are also synchronized across your devices, allowing you to start composing a message on one device and finish or send it from another.

With this update, you can start typing a message and finish later, even if you close Chat or reboot your device. If you start typing a message at your desk, you can finish and send the message from your tablet or mobile phone during your commute. Your unsent drafts will be waiting in the conversation compose box and the drafts shortcut.

• Drafts are saved per conversation (DMs, group DMs, and Spaces).
• You will find your drafts for a given conversation or thread stored in the compose box.
• You will also find your drafts across all conversations in the drafts shortcut.
• Unsent drafts are retained for up to 30 days.

Getting started

• Admins: There is no admin control for this feature.
• End users: There is no end user setting for this feature. Visit the Help Center to learn more.

Rollout pace

Web

• Rapid Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility with expected completion by September 15, 2026)  starting on September 8, 2026 
• Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on September 22, 2026

Android & iOS

• Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on September 28, 2026

Availability

• Available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts

Resources

• Google Help: Reply to a message in Google Chat

Context-aware access controls are available for Gemini Enterprise in the Admin console

To help organizations elevate their security posture, we are introducing context-aware access (CAA) policies in the Admin console for Gemini Enterprise. Google Workspace administrators can select granular security attributes for Gemini Enterprise access, including device security and location settings that can be applied to personal and managed devices.

For example, an administrator can create a CAA policy that restricts access to Gemini Enterprise from specific geographic regions. Organizations can also reuse their existing policies that apply to Workspace apps by also applying them to Gemini Enterprise.

Context-Aware Access settings for Gemini Enterprise in Admin console

Getting started

• Admins: Context-Aware Access for Gemini Enterprise can be configured at the organizational unit (OU) or group level. Visit the Help Center to learn more about Context-Aware Access, creating Context-Aware Access levels, and assigning Context-Aware Access levels to apps.
• End users: If enabled by your admin, you can access Gemini Enterprise when authenticating using your Google sign-in. If your organization’s Context-Aware Access settings are not set to allow access, you may see a message letting you know that you cannot use Google sign-in to authenticate with Gemini Enterprise, or you may see remediation messages which will provide some options on how to unblock Gemini Enterprise.

Rollout pace

• Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on September 8, 2026, with expected completion by September 15, 2026

Availability

• Enterprise: Enterprise Standard, and Plus
• Education: Education Standard, and Plus
• Other: Frontline Standard and Plus; Enterprise Essentials Plus; Cloud Identity Premium

Note: You will need to have purchased Gemini Enterprise to apply Context-Aware Access policies for your users.

Resources

• Google Workspace Admin Help: Assign Context-Aware Access levels to apps
• Google Workspace Admin Help: Protect your business with Context-Aware Access

Introducing the new 1Password App for Google Chat

The new 1Password SaaS Manager integration for Google Chat helps teams streamline IT and HR processes by bringing notifications, actions  and approvals directly within Chat.

With this  integration, teams can build automated workflows for common employee access scenarios, including provisioning and deprovisioning membership across Google Chat spaces. Managers and approvers can review requests and take action directly from interactive Google Chat messages, helping reduce delays and keeping access decisions moving without switching tools.

Getting started

• Admins: Admins can install the 1Password Saas Manager Chat app on their users’ behalf. Visit the Help Center to learn more about installing Marketplace apps for your organization.
• End users: End users need a 1Password SaaS Manager account to use this app. They can also search for the 1Password Chat App under Apps > Find apps. Visit the Google Workspace Marketplace to learn more and install the 1Password Chat app.

Rollout pace

• Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Available now

Availability

• Available to all managed Google Workspace business or organizational accounts

Resources

• 1Password Help Center
• 1Password Saas Manager Chat app