2 min read
Google has quietly rolled out a subtle yet powerful enhancement to its Android keyboard app, Gboard, that aims to make typing significantly faster. Users will now find a new toggle in Settings under Preferences labeled “Flick keys to enter symbols.” When enabled, this gesture lets you touch a key and swipe down to instantly input the symbol hinted above it, a shortcut especially useful for the number row and special characters.
With the feature activated, users typing on Gboard will notice that the top-row letters now display smaller symbols—namely the digits 1 to 0. Rather than long-pressing to reveal symbols or switching to the symbol layout, you can simply touch and flick downward on the key to input the symbol. A built-in sensitivity slider allows you to adjust how firm or quick this gesture must be, letting users fine-tune it to their preference.
For heavy typists, frequent punctuation users, and power users who often toggle between letters and symbols, this small addition could make typing faster and more fluid. Keyboards have long relied on long-presses or switching layouts to access alternate characters, and this update helps eliminate that extra step. It continues Gboard’s evolution, following previous updates that added AI writing tools and customization features designed to streamline mobile text input.
The “Flick keys to enter symbols” toggle is completely optional. If you prefer the traditional long-press method, you can simply leave it off. The update also comes alongside other new Gboard tweaks, such as the ability to hide punctuation keys altogether, expanding the spacebar and providing a cleaner, distraction-free look.
While the feature might seem small, it represents a larger shift in how users interact with text on their phones. By cutting down repetitive typing actions, Gboard’s latest update makes everyday typing smoother, smarter, and more efficient for millions of Android users.
