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

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.

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