Google may have just fixed Gboard’s accidental tap problem, but the solution comes at a cost to your workflow

Gboard is one of the best keyboard apps for Android phones. It lets users add quick shortcuts to their keyboard, with up to four shortcuts available right away and 12 more on the shortcuts page. This feature makes Gboard different from other keyboard apps.

Like many Google apps lately, Gboard is getting Material 3 Expressive design changes, including in the shortcuts menu. But there’s a downside. According to Android Police, the new design uses large pill-shaped boxes for each shortcut. Because these boxes take up more space, users can now only see eight shortcuts at once instead of 12. You’ll need to swipe to see the other four shortcuts.

The new design also uses bigger text for shortcuts. If a shortcut has a long name, like “Share Gboard,” the text will scroll across the screen to fit inside the box. The updated shortcuts page was found in Gboard version 16.5.2.83. Android Police tipster Moshe said the new design has been in Gboard beta for a few weeks on phones like the Galaxy S25 Ultra and Pixel 10 Pro XL in the US.

The rollout isn’t reaching everyone yet

However, some users aren’t seeing the changes yet. The update hasn’t appeared on all devices, which means Google might still be testing it in certain regions. The rollout doesn’t seem to be global at this point.

The page that lets you customize shortcuts by holding and dragging is still there. It now has a pencil icon in the bottom-right corner of the keyboard to access it. Google hasn’t explained why they made these changes, but it’s likely to prevent accidental taps. 

The current layout places shortcuts close together, making it easy to tap the wrong one by mistake. Google has been making several updates to its apps recently, including long-awaited changes to Gmail features.

Another change is the close button. Instead of a back arrow, Gboard now uses an ‘X’ to close the shortcuts menu. Since Google appears to be testing this new design, there’s no guarantee it will be rolled out to everyone in the future.

Gboard is also bringing Material 3 Expressive design to the Settings page. Similar items are now grouped together for easier access. Unlike the shortcuts menu changes, the Settings page update seems to be available to more users already.

Google Play users have also been receiving attention lately, with automatic refunds for past purchases going out to eligible customers. The new design might fix the accidental tap problem, but it means fewer shortcuts visible at once. Users will have to decide if the trade-off is worth it.