Gboard is comfortably among the best keyboards for Android devices. One of the features that makes it stand out among a long list of keyboard apps is its ability to offer instant access to up to four shortcuts of your choice, with 12 more available on the shortcuts page.
Like most Google apps over the past several months, Gboard is also picking up Material 3 Expressive elements, including in the shortcuts menu. However, it’s not all good news. Reporting by 9to5Google has revealed the adoption of large pill-shaped containers for each item in the shortcuts menu. With more space used by these containers, users will only see eight shortcuts at a time (rather than the usual 12), with a swipe revealing the remaining four.
Furthermore, these containers/shortcuts also come with larger text. This means the container will adopt a ticker-style interface to accommodate items with larger names, such as the Share Gboard shortcut.
Not everything has changed
Current (image 1) vs upcoming
The “Hold and drag to customize” page is still available with this redesigned shortcuts menu, now accessible via a dedicated pencil icon in the bottom-right corner of the keyboard.
Google’s reasoning for this redesign is unclear, but the idea may just be to eliminate accidental taps. This can be an issue with the current layout, where shortcuts are placed close together.
Another prominent change here is the use of ‘X‘ to close the shortcuts menu, replacing the existing Back button (left-facing arrow). We presume Gboard is testing the waters with this updated shortcuts menu, so it shouldn’t surprise anyone if this redesign isn’t widely rolled out in the future.
Gboard’s Settings page with Material 3 Expressive containers
In a related development, Gboard is also bringing Material 3 Expressive to the app’s Settings page. These changes are consistent with what we’ve seen in other redesigns over the past several months, with similar items grouped together for easier access.
The folks at 9to5 spotted the revamped shortcuts page in version 16.5.2.83 of the keyboard app. However, I was unable to find it on my Pixel device, suggesting it’s rolling out in a limited capacity at the moment. On the other hand, the M3 Expressive redesign of the Settings page appears to be more widely available.
What are your thoughts on Gboard’s potential revamp of the shortcuts menu?
