Google's gboard globe icon on android 17 may finally get the axe

Google's iconic globe icon on its Gboard keyboard app has long been a point of contention for many users. The small globe button allows for easy language switching, but its placement at the bottom right corner can be obtrusive and annoying for some. Now, it appears android 17 may finally offer a fix for this issue.

Disabling the gboard globe icon on android 17

android Authority spotted the change while testing the android 17 QPR1 beta 3. A new setting in the Gboard app allows users to completely disable the globe icon, a feature that has garnered numerous complaints over the years.

Once activated, the globe icon will disappear from the keyboard, freeing up valuable screen real estate. However, users will still be able to switch languages and access other input methods via the space key long-press option.

The redesigned keyboard switcher interface will remain, providing access to various languages, keyboards, and input methods. Third-party keyboards may not offer the same functionality, however, so users will need to consider this limitation.

While this beta release of android 17 is not yet final, the option to remove the globe icon is likely to be a welcome change for many Gboard users. Google would do well to stick with this feature in the final release.