Google’s Gboard Keyboard Update Isn’t Popular with Everyone

If you have an Android phone, you likely use Google’s default software keyboard, Gboard. And if you recently noticed things looking wildly different, it’s not just you. Google is apparently testing a few big design changes for Gboard, and not everyone is happy about how things look.

Throughout the last 24–48 hours, Android users on Reddit, Twitter (X), and other forums have started posting screenshots of Gboard with round or odd pill-shaped buttons instead of the familiar design Google has employed for years. The change happened at random, behind the scenes, and users are up in arms over it. In fact, most of the comments online are pretty negative, mainly because those affected don’t see a way in settings to choose a specific look or layout. It’s all or nothing.

As many of you probably know, Google often does what it calls A/B testing, where it runs multiple betas simultaneously to gauge its customers’ reactions. However, this only happens when you actively participate in the app beta program. So, if you never opted into betas on Gboard, you won’t experience this change.

From what we’re seeing online, Google is currently testing three different styles for the buttons on Gboard: the original look we’re all familiar with, rounded pill-shaped buttons, then straight-up circles, which look really odd on a smartphone. Some of the styles remind me of Samsung’s older on-screen keyboards.

Judging by all the complaints on Reddit, this isn’t going well for Google. Considering users can’t choose between the three, they’re stuck with whatever design Google decides to push onto their phone. However, several owners confirmed that you can remove the key borders while changing themes, which helps hide the odd shapes currently in the beta. Additionally, one Redditor said heading into Gboard settings, tapping on Theme, and switching to the default “Dynamic Color” option reverted the keyboard back to the old style.

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To make matters worse, and because this is a behind-the-scenes A/B test, some users complained that it showed up last night or this morning and then randomly disappeared a few hours later. Or it keeps coming and going, giving them an inconsistent experience.

Basically, Google is being Google, and things should calm down within the next day or so with your phone keyboard, as these betas typically don’t last very long. Unfortunately, this means that Google is indeed testing some changes to one of our most-used apps, and we never know when or if it’s going to be pushed to all devices.

Gboard is so good these days that I don’t see a reason to change the default keyboard, and I’m not alone. But if we keep seeing changes like this, some may consider other options. I’m hopeful that if Google does release different layouts for the Gboard buttons, they’ll at least let users choose one from all three design options. We’ll keep an eye out for more details or if this becomes official. In the meantime, check out this guide on how to speed up typing with Gboard’s personal dictionary feature.

Source: Android Authority