Google has reverted major aspects of an earlier Gboard redesign that came to the Gboard's Emoji and GIF Picker interface. The company is now launching a beta feature with an update. It aims to revert to some of the older and more familiar designs. 

The action follows the user's reactions to some of the changes. These have been made during the earlier part of the month. The incomplete rollback will help to do a more equal approach to new looks and easy-to-navigate functionality.

The Reestablishment

In June 2025, prior, Gboard started a new emoji and GIF picker rollout. The primary goal of the redesign was to modernize the interface. But a few features of this redesign were unpopular with the user:

Wide Rectangular Cards: The primary navigation carousel gives an alternative to switch between Emoji, Custom Stickers, GIFs, Stickers, and Emoticons. Such a design usually requires scrolling horizontally to see all their options. It was more noticeable with the help of AI Stickers.

Lost Delete Button: The focal delete button that was on the right side of the picker was over. This was changed to a Floating Action Button (FAB) that came out when text was typed. This new positioning proved cumbersome to many users. They did not like the fact that FAB could cover content below it.

Pill Design: The standard keyboard revision button, "ABC", was in the form of a pill. It did not show the intuitive nature, nor as attractive to some people as the previous design.

What Is Reversing Back?

Google has heard the user complaints. It has bowed to pressure and is hence reverting to two of the main features of the redesign.

Default Navigation Cards: The default swapping cards were reduced by almost half in size. This will enable all the options to appear on one screen. There will be no need to have any horizontal scrolling; thus, it will bring back the ease of one tap.

Brought Back: The special delete key on the very far right of the keyboard is reintroduced. This is a direct response to the annoyance of the floating action button. The text deletion turns out to be much more familiar and convenient.

Adjustment of the "ABC" Button: This button highlights less on the general arrangement, therefore, less intrusive. 

So why the Backtracking?

The rapid change demonstrates the sensitivity that Google is trying to show with regarregardser input. This comes up with more popular core applications like Gboard. The first redesign was possibly due to alignment with Material You and to new features.

It is likely to have undermined the usability of an enormous number of its users. Reinstating these changes, Google puts in first place user familiarity and usability.

Availability

The new Gboard beta is with version being released. This is where the re-tweaked emojis and GIF pictures are being rolled out to the users. We expect this to be widely released within a few weeks. 

When it becomes available, it will restore some of the features of the older, more intuitive interface. It includes more visibility of the tabs, less spacing, and others.

The willingness to accept this feedback shows that Google is eager to adjust and deliver to user satisfaction. Android users can anticipate a more refined and convenient Gboard with the updated design landing on the stable channel shortly.

Conclusion 

The new Gboard emoji and GIF picker design is representative of how the company responds to community feedback.

The main idea of the update is to find a balance between the modernity of the design and the comfort of the user. It brings back many of the ever-present interface items and adds convenience in general. 

Android users will get a smoother and more natural feel when typing through the revised version. It becomes fully available in the beta stage to users and finally, in the stable channel.

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