G Suite Updates: 2 new posts

Strengthening 2-Step Verification by showing phone prompts to more users

Posted: 16 Jun 2020 01:44 PM PDT

What's changing

Starting on July 7, 2020, we will make phone verification prompts the primary 2-Step Verification (2SV) method for all eligible users, unless they are already using security keys as their 2SV method of choice. This means that if you sign in to your Google account and are also signed in on a smartphone, you will be asked to follow phone prompts to verify the login attempt. This will help increase account security while making it easier to sign in.

This won't apply if you use a security key to protect your account. You'll also still be able to use other methods (such as a code received by text) by selecting a different method during the phone prompt verification steps.

Phone prompts verify your sign-in attempt via your smartphone

Who's impacted

End users

Why it's important

Phone prompts, also known as "on-device prompts," are more secure than text or voice codes as a form of 2-Step Verification. They're also easier to use, as they avoid requiring users to manually enter a code received on another device. By making prompts the primary method for more users, we hope to help them take advantage of the additional security without having to manually change settings—though they can still use other methods of 2-Step Verification if they prefer.

Additional details

How phone prompts work
After you enter your password to sign in to your Google Account, Google sends a "Trying to sign in?" prompt to every eligible mobile device where you're signed in. This prompt tells you when and where your password was entered, and then asks you to confirm or block the sign-in attempt by simply tapping your mobile device. You can still select a different verification method during sign-in if one is available on your account. You'll also stop receiving prompts on a phone if you sign out of that phone. Learn more about phone prompts.

Users with security keys are excluded from this change
Users will not have prompts as their primary 2SV method in two situations:

If an organization enforces the "Only security key" 2-Step Verification option for a user, there will be no change and the user will continue to be required to use security keys.
If a user currently has, or at any point in the future adds, a security key on their account, the security key verification will be presented as the primary method.

Additionally, if a user doesn't have 2-Step Verification turned on, this will not apply.

Getting started

Admins: This feature will be ON by default. Admins can only disable the feature by requiring the use of security keys. Visit the Help Center to learn more about protecting your business with 2-Step Verification.
End users: This feature will be ON by default and can be disabled by the user. Visit the Help Center to learn more about signing in with 2-Step Verification.

Rollout pace

Rapid and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on July 7, 2020

Availability

Available to all G Suite customers and users with personal accounts.

Resources

Coming soon: Google Meet in Gmail on mobile

Posted: 16 Jun 2020 10:30 AM PDT

What's changing

As announced, we're bringing Meet in Gmail to mobile. In early July 2020, we'll launch this change to G Suite users by introducing a dedicated Meet tab in the Gmail iOS and Android mobile apps. This means users can join secure video meetings directly in Gmail without needing to open another app on their phone.

We'll let you know on the G Suite Updates blog when this change starts rolling out.

Who's impacted

End users

Why you'd use it

Meet in Gmail will allow users to start a new meeting, join a meeting by entering the meeting code, or join upcoming meetings scheduled in Google Calendar without leaving the Gmail app.

Additional details

Meet in Gmail is already available on the web. This launch introduces the same functionality, and more new features, in the Gmail mobile apps. Note that as we get closer to the launch, your users may notice the following when they try to join meetings from their phones:

When they click on a Meet link from their Android or iOS device, they'll be directed to the Gmail app to join the meeting.
The look and feel of the Meet app will be updated but the functionality will still be intuitive.

Note that if you click on a link in the Meet app, you will still stay in Meet and not be redirected to the Gmail app.These changes will roll out over the next few weeks.

Please note, during this rollout the experience for iOS users may differ. iOS users may see the Gmail app launch briefly and then close when they click on a Meet link. They'll then be redirected to join the meeting in the Meet app. Joining meetings in the Meet app will only happen during the rollout phase and IOS users will eventually be able to join the meeting directly in Gmail.

Users with the Meet service turned off and EDU users who have video call creation turned off will not be able to see the Meet tab in Gmail or join meetings in Gmail app.

Getting started

Admins: There is no admin control for this feature.
End users: Meet in Gmail on mobile will be ON by default when users update their Gmail app. Users can hide the Meet tab inside of the Gmail app in their Gmail settings by deselecting "Show the Meet tab for video calling" under "Meet."

Rollout pace

Rapid and Scheduled Release domains: Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility) starting on June 16, 2020

Availability

Available to all G Suite customers with the Meet service turned on
Users with a G Suite for Education account that is enabled to create Meet video meetings will have the Meet tab enabled in Gmail. EDU accounts that are not able to create Meet video meetings will not see the Meet tab in Gmail and should use the Meet mobile app on Android or iOS instead.

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2020/06/17