Trending Now - Google Unveils Bold Gradient Icons for Key Apps

WHO:

The Verge - Google is the organization involved in the redesign of its app icons.

9to5Google - Sources familiar with the matter provided information about the icon redesign.

WHAT:

The Verge - Google started rolling out new icons with a gradient design in late 2025.

9to5Google - Five Google icons have undergone gradient updates, including Gmail and other Google Workspace apps.

9to5Google - The new icons reflect the presence of AI-powered features and aim to address previous criticisms regarding color and shape distinctiveness.

9to5Google - The Google Drive icon now features only green, yellow, and blue, removing red from its design.

9to5Google - Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides have shifted to a landscape layout, with Sheets and Slides reflecting the actual apps.

9to5Google - The new Gmail icon is more rounded and predominantly red, with minor elements of yellow, green, and blue.

9to5Google - Google Calendar returns to an older design with a classic blue color, removing the four-color exterior container.

9to5Google - Google Keep's design focuses on a light bulb, removing the page background.

WHERE:

The Verge - The redesign applies to Google’s apps, which are used globally.

WHEN:

The Verge - The new icon designs are expected to roll out sooner than later, though no specific date is provided.

WHY:

9to5Google - The redesign aims to address major criticisms of the previous icon set by enhancing distinctiveness in color and shape.

HOW:

The Verge - The new icons feature softer looks with rounder corners and gradients transitioning from pastel to saturated colors.

9to5Google - The previous mandate of including all four company colors in icons has been removed, allowing for larger, more unique icons.

(UPDATED April 26, 2026 23:12 UTC)

Google is rolling out a redesign of its app icons, featuring a new gradient design that aims to enhance distinctiveness and address previous criticisms. The updated icons include a more rounded Gmail icon, a simplified Google Drive icon with only green, yellow, and blue, and a return to a classic blue for Google Calendar, among others. These changes reflect the integration of AI-powered features and are expected to be available globally in the near future, although a specific rollout date has not been announced.