Use emoji reactions in your client-side encrypted documents

October 21, 2025

Use emoji reactions in your client-side encrypted documents

What’s changing
We’re excited to announce that client-side encrypted (CSE) files including Google Docs, Sheets and Slides now support emoji reactions. Users can use emojis to react to comments and content, bringing an expressive collaboration feature to CSE files.

This update brings a core Google Workspace feature into our secure CSE framework, allowing users to provide quick feedback, express agreement, or acknowledge updates. Teams can now work together more efficiently and expressively, while still benefiting from the robust security of client-side encryption.

Emoji reactions are fully integrated in CSE documents. Users can add, resolve, delete, and re-open emoji reactions, and these reactions are also surfaced in a file’s version history. Reactions are preserved during export or when editing a Microsoft Office file in Workspace. They are also preserved when additional encryption is added to or removed from a file.

Getting started

• Admins: There is no admin control for this feature.
• End users: There is no end user setting for this feature. Visit the Help Center to learn more about emoji reactions.

Rollout pace

• Rapid Release domains: Full rollout (1–3 days for feature visibility) starting on October 21, 2025
• Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on November 1, 2025

Availability
Available for Google Workspace

• Enterprise Plus
• Education Standard and Plus
• Frontline Plus