Profile photo updates: Unified user photos and new admin controls
Tuesday, August 25, 2020
Quick launch summary
We’re changing the manner in which user profile photos are displayed across Google products and services, and updating how admins can manage those photos.
Last year, we removed a photo setting in Gmail that allowed users to set a different profile photo in Gmail than their Google Account. Starting today, users who still have two different profile photos will be migrated to a single profile photo. No action is needed by users, the current Google Account photo will become their only profile photo. This will ensure users are seen and recognized consistently across different products and interfaces.
We’re also giving admins the ability to set the single Google Account profile photo for users. You can add, replace, or delete an existing profile photo for users through the Admin console or through the Admin SDK Directory API.
Previously set Google Account profile photos are kept in a user’s Album Archive, available at get.google.com/albumarchive. New profile photos set by users or admins will also be stored here.
Note that if a user updates their photo, the photo will be visible to everyone, across Google products. If an admin adds a photo to a user’s account, it will only be visible to users within their organization and external users they interact with. Learn more about what information others can see across Google services.
Getting started
- Admins: The profile photo update will take place by default. Admins can use our Help Center to learn how to add a user’s profile photo through the Admin console, or use our Developer documentation to learn how to update a user's photo via the API. Admins can also control whether to let users change their photo and profile information.
- End users: No action required. If allowed by their Admin, users can use our Help Center to learn how to change their Google Account profile photo.
A user’s Google Account photo will be used for their profile photo
Rollout pace
- Rapid and Scheduled Release domains: Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility)] starting on August 25, 2020.
Availability
- Available to all G Suite customers
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