April 7, 2026
Migration update on restricted access items
Last year, we stopped allowing restricted access on specific files and folders within a shared folder in Google Drive, and instead required that restricted access be managed consistently via the limited access folder setting. With this update, all items with legacy restricted access will be automatically migrated to use the limited access setting instead. There will be no change to who can see or access the files.
Getting started
After the migration to the limited access setting, any user can audit the files they own with limited access by using the Drive search operators owner:me is:limitedaccess.
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Items that were automatically migrated will show limited access was applied by Google Drive. |
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| Items with limited access applied will show the updated sharing experience. |
- Admins: There is no admin control for this feature. Visit the Help Center to learn more.
- End users: There is no end user setting for this feature. Visit the Help Center to learn more.
Rollout pace
- Personal Google accounts: Available now
- Rapid Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on April 9, 2026
- Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on April 16, 2026
Availability
- Available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts
Resources
- Google Help: Learn about limited access to files and folders in Google Drive
- Google Workspace Updates Blog: Upcoming Change to Drive Sharing Permissions