Google Keep’s update gives its widgets the polish they needed
Summary
- Google Keep is rolling out a redesigned Quick Capture widget for Android devices.
- The new widget layout now uses full space and follows Google’s latest design guidelines.
- The update is tied to a server-side rollout, so not all users will see changes immediately.
Despite the long list of note-taking apps on Android, Google Keep still remains one of our favorite options. It’s free, has a simple, easy-to-use interface, and is easily accessible on the web. However, despite being a popular and widely used app, the widgets have stayed mostly the same since their redesign in Android 12.
Related
I ditched Google Keep for UpNote, here is why I’m never going back
The Google Keep alternative I wish I had found sooner
After being previously spotted, Google is now finally rolling out a new widget redesign for Keep on Android. According to 9to5Google, the updated design is arriving with Google Keep version 5.25.132.01.90 on the Play Store, though we haven’t seen it on our own devices just yet. It’s likely the update is rolling out via a server-side switch.
New Google Keep widgets make better use of space
Old vs. new
As expected, the Quick Capture widget (the clover-shaped one) now makes full use of the widget area, touching all edges, aligning with Google’s Tier 1 widget design guidelines. Previously, it left unused margins around the edges, but the new version stretches to fit the full available space.
The 4×1 widget also gets a small refresh. Previously, the add “+” button was placed in a rounded square, while the other options — voice note, scribble, list note, and photo note — were inside a plain container without boundaries. Now, each icon is housed in its own rounded rectangle, and the “+” button sits in a vertical pill-shaped container.
Related
6 missing Google Keep features that I find hard to ignore
My favorite note-taking app is missing a lot
Other widget variants, like note collection and single note, remain unchanged for now. So far, only the Quick Capture widget has received the visual refresh.
The redesign appears to be rolling out gradually, and even if you’ve updated to the latest version from the Play Store, you may need to wait for a server-side update before it appears on your device.
19