Android 15 QPR2 Beta Removes Globe Icon for One Keyboard/language

Google is rolling out Android 15 QPR2 Beta 3 this afternoon to Pixel devices, and the biggest user-facing change is the removal of the globe icon in the bottom-right corner when you only have one keyboard/language set. 

In Android 15 QPR1, Google introduced a globe icon in the bottom-right corner when the keyboard is open.

Tapping would show available languages, as well as the old “Google Voice Typing.” In practice, those that use Gboard with just one device language kept accidentally pressing the globe and getting the menu when trying to tap enter. Since December, they have wanted the option to remove it.

With QPR2 Beta 3 today, the globe button no longer shows up if you don’t have a second language/keyboard app set. This is a better default behavior, as not many people use Google Voice Typing, especially with Gboard and Assistant Voice Typing (on Pixel).

One vs. two languages

The globe remains present in Android 15 QPR2 Beta 3 if you have another language set in Gboard. A tap immediately switches to it and a long-press opens the menu.

Android 15 QPR2 will hit stable in March with the next Pixel (Feature) Drop, with one last QPR1 patch in February. Beta 3 feels stable at the moment.

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