Skip to main content Tom's Guide Tom's Guide Search Tom's Guide View Profile Best Picks Entertainment Technology Magazines Why subscribe? The best tech tutorials and in-depth reviews Try a single issue or save on a subscription Issues delivered straight to your door or device From$12.99View MacBook Air M4 iPad Air M3 Nintendo Switch 2 Best mattress Wordle Today Mobile Apps Google Gboard redesign has already angered users — and I can see why By Scott Younker published 6 March 2025 When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Future) Google appears to be testing out a potential aesthetic change to the Gboard app, and it's not going well with people who find themselves acting as Google guinea pigs. The updated layout features rounder (basically circular) keys than the old rectangular keys you're used to seeing. Confused and upset users have been posting images of the change on social media (as spotted by Android Authority). Notably, it's not a consistent change. You may like Google Maps annoys drivers after latest Android Auto update Forget touchscreens — Clicks is bringing its BlackBerry-style keyboard to Android phones Rounded keys in the Gboard app (Image credit: Google) In some images, the keys are clearly letters in circles, while others feature a more ovular pill-shaped look. It's not great. How to (sort of) get rid of the circles Many people have been reporting getting the new bubble shaped keyboard buttons in Gboard beta.Do you have this (in beta) ? pic.twitter.com/faZ8ODwttYMarch 6, 2025 To be clear, from what we can tell the design is only rolling out to people running the latest Gboard beta build (version 15.1.05.726012951-beta-arm64-v8acom.google.android.inputmethod.latin). If you're not in the beta, you most likely aren't seeing this change. How Gboard keys currently look (Image credit: Google) So far the only way it appears you can get rid of the change is to turn off Key borders, which takes all shapes away. Sign up to get the BEST of Tom's Guide direct to your inbox. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. To do so, navigate to Settings > Theme and select a theme. Then toggle the Key borders option off. The beta does not offer a way to revert to the more rectangular keys, and so far the code does not reveal if Google will add such a toggle in the future. If you've encountered this issue and the above fix isn't working, you can also try reverting from the beta version to see if that returns the app to the non-circular style. So far Google's Gboard upgrades don't seem to be going over well with beta testers. Of course, with Google testing different variations, it's also not clear what key shape Google might settle on. Google might also roll the change back, especially as it seems as though many users are not pleased with the update. 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When not writing about the latest devices, you are more than welcome to discuss board games or disc golf with him. You must confirm your public display name before commenting Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name. 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