May 26, 2026

Improvements to Out-of-Domain file-level warnings

Today, we’re announcing improvements to our Out-of-Domain file-level warnings. First launched in April 2025, these badges alert users to documents and users outside of their Workspace organization, helping to prevent accidental data exfiltration and potential phishing attacks that spoof internal content. We’ve expanded support across devices and sharing types in the following ways:

Files in the Android and iOS apps for Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Slides now include external indicators
Chat Spaces and Google Groups can be configured to allow external users; if they’re given access to a document, that document now shows the external badge
If a service account has access to a document, and that service account is owned by an external Google Cloud organization, it now triggers the external badge in documents
Comment email notifications now include badges for external documents and users
File sharing email notifications now include badges for external documents and users

How Out-of-Domain warnings work

This feature helps users identify potentially risky files and avoid phishing scams when working with files shared from outside your organization.

Notification in comments

Notification in file sharing email

An image showing a Google Doc with the word "External" displayed in a small yellow badge next to the document title. The badge has been clicked, and a pop-up window appears with more information stating that “This document is owned by someone outside your organization. Be cautious about sharing sensitive information.

Image of "External" badge displayed in Google Docs

Getting started

Admins: This feature is ON by default and can be disabled at the domain and organizational level. Visit the Help Center to learn more about turning Out-of-Domain Warnings on or off for your organization.
End users: This feature is ON by default. There is no end-user setting for this feature. Visit the Help Center to learn more about sharing files from Google Drive.

Screenshot of the Google Workspace Admin console, navigated to Sharing settings. At the bottom of the page, a new section labeled "Highlight external files" is highlighted. The checkbox is checked, and the description reads: "Mark external files shared or owned externally as “external” to flag that content may be viewable outside your organization.

Image of the Google Workspace Admin console, Sharing settings, showing the "Highlight external files" option enabled

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Available now

Availability

Available to all Google Workspace customers

Resources

Google Workspace Admin Help: Manage external sharing for your organization
Google Drive Help: Share files from Google Drive - Android
Google Drive Help: Stop, limit, or change sharing
Google Workspace Updates Blog: Enhance Your Organization’s Security with Out-of-Domain File Warnings in Google Workspace

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