The latest version of Google Groups is now available

15/06/2020

Table of contents

Summary

Google offers new Google Groups – with an updated interface and more streamlined controls that make them easier to create, manage, and use. The modern interface is similar to other G Suite apps, such as Gmail, and makes Groups more efficient for new and existing users. It is already available in beta version.

Google will introduce new Groups according to this timeline:

May 26, 2020: New Groups on or off settings will start appearing in the Admin console. This setting will be enabled by default. If disabled, users will not be able to access the new interface. If left, users will be transferred to the new interface on the dates below.
June 9, 2020: Users in Rapid Release domains will start seeing new Groups, unless their administrator has disabled it. Individual users will have the option to revert to classic Groups.
June 23, 2020: Users in Scheduled Release domains will start seeing new Groups, unless their administrator has disabled it. Individual users will have the option to revert to classic Groups.

Who’s impacted

Admins and end users

Why you’d use it

The new Groups has a streamlined, more efficient user interface that makes it easier for users to create and manage groups. It includes the most used features from the classic interface, along with:

Read group conversations and write messages
Unified settings for improved navigation
Create groups quickly, simply
New filtering and search options to help you find content quickly
Improved team member management and more

Additional details

Features not available in the new Groups interface

The most commonly used features are available in the new Groups and the new interface will improve the experience of using Groups for most users. However, not all of the features from classic Groups are available right now, including inbox, tags, and collaborative categories. Use the Help Center to see what features are available in the new interface. Google is working to add more of these features to new Groups, but organizations and users that rely on these features should continue to use classic Groups for the time being.

*New Admin console settings to enable or disable new Groups*

If you leave New Groups ON in the admin console

Starting June 9, Google will begin redirecting users in Rapid Release domains to the new interface when they visit groups.google.com. On June 23, users in the scheduled release domains will start seeing the new experience.

Individual users will have the option to revert to the classic UI by going to Settings > Go back to classic Google Groups. If they decline, they will see the classic look when they visit the next Group. Users can switch between classic and new groups as many times as they like.

If you turn OFF the new Groups in the admin console

If you turn the new group OFF in the admin console, your users will not be able to access the new UI and will see the classic interface whenever they visit Google Groups. Note that users who have turned off New Groups by their admin will also not be able to access any new Group URLs, even if they have submitted a direct link by another user using the new interface. .

If your organization participates in beta

Organizations that participate in alpha or beta will start seeing the new Groups on or off setting in the Admin console starting May 26. If an alpha or beta Admin uses the Dashboard setting for admin to disable new Groups, that will take effect within 24 hours. All users currently using the new Groups through the beta will be reverted to the classic Groups.

End users at organizations that are part of the alpha or beta program and are currently using the new interface will continue to see the new transparent user interface, unless their administrator disables the new Groups at the domain level .

End users at organizations that were part of an alpha or beta program that previously reverted to classic Groups will continue to see the old interface and will have the option to use the new Groups if they wish.

Getting started

Admins:The new look will be ON by default and can be turned off at the domain level by going to Admin console > Applications > G Suite > Groups for Business > New Groups.
End users: The new look will be ON by default and can be disabled or enabled by the user per browser.