During the pandemic, when emergency remote learning became our new reality, many of us fell in love with Jamboard’s seamless, interactive capabilities. It became our go-to digital whiteboard, allowing faculty and students to connect, collaborate, and create in ways we hadn’t explored before.

However, as technology continues to evolve, so do our tools.  In 2023, Google announced that they will be retiring the Google Jamboard service and app, including the physical Jamboard devices. Here is the detailed timeline:

Google Jamboard Retirement Timeline

Until October 1, 2024

• The Jamboard app will continue to function normally.

Starting on October 1, 2024:

• The Jamboard app (jamboard.google.com) will become view-only. You will no longer be able to create new or edit existing Jams on any platform, including the web, iOS, Android, and Jamboard devices.

After December 31, 2024:

• You’ll no longer be able to access the Jamboard app or your Jam files.
• The Jamboard app will be shut down, and all Jam data will be permanently deleted. Any remaining Jam files will be automatically converted to PDF files and saved to each owner’s Google Drive.

Actions to Take Before December 31, 2024

To ensure a smooth transition and retain your valuable content, please take the following actions:

• Download and Export Your Jam Files: You can export Jam files as PDF or PNG files from your computer, the Jamboard mobile app, or Google Drive.

• Explore Alternative Whiteboarding Solutions: Begin evaluating alternative digital whiteboarding solutions that best fit your educational needs. Key considerations include compatibility with Google Workspace for Education, privacy and security, cost, and deployment options.

Embracing New Digital Whiteboarding Tools

In response to customer feedback and the evolving capabilities of other whiteboarding tools, Google has partnered with FigJam by Figma, Lucidspark by Lucid Software, and Miro. These tools offer advanced features such as an infinite canvas, use case templates, voting, and more, providing a rich collaborative experience.

• FigJam by Figma: Known for its user-friendly interface and robust feature set.
• Lucidspark by Lucid Software: Offers seamless integration with Google Workspace and a variety of templates.
• Miro: Provides extensive collaboration features and is widely used in both education and corporate settings.

Preparing for the Future

To prepare for the retirement of Jamboard, follow these steps:

• Download and Save Your Jam Files: Ensure you have saved copies of all Jam files you wish to keep before December 31, 2024.
• Evaluate Alternative Solutions: Assess the alternative whiteboarding tools mentioned above to determine which best meets your needs.
• Stay Informed: Google will provide more details about the automatic conversion process and further integration with Google Workspace apps in the coming months. Keep an eye out for updates.

Be sure to go to Google’s support page and learn more about how to prepare for Google Jamboard to wind down and learn more about other alternative tools available.

If you have any further questions, feel free to reach out to ITS via our support portal at support.swarthmore.edu.