Transition to New Gmail Format Will Be Mandatory, Google Warns

Many people don’t take to change as well as others, which is why some computer owners are still rocking Windows 7 or even XP. In the case of Gmail, however, Google is warning users that there won’t be a choice once the new version officially launches. People can already choose to use this time to adjust to the new format. Eventually, however, this choice will be taken away.

In a G Suite blog post update, Google provided details with regards to the upcoming version of Gmail that users can expect. Among them is the section, which indicates that the change is currently voluntary -- emphasis on currently.

“At the moment, the new Gmail is an EAP, and customers can choose to participate (or not) at the domain and organizational unit levels,” Google writes before later adding, “Approximately eight weeks after the GA announcement in July, any users who haven’t yet been transitioned to the new Gmail will be automatically migrated to the new experience. They’ll have the option to opt out of the new Gmail for an additional four weeks.”

With this being the case, both individual users and companies using Gmail will only have a few months to adjust to the new system before it is forced upon them by Google. A list of changes that can be expected is made available and explained by Business Insider, with some helpful diagrams to illustrate certain points that might confuse some less tech-savvy users.

Overall, however, users will definitely want to take this opportunity to get accustomed to the upcoming changes in order to avoid getting blindsided by what is shaping up to be an inevitable eventuality. The changes will be implemented and it seems Google doesn’t really care whether the user wants to make the change or not. It will drag users by the scruff of the neck if it has to.