Gmail’s Android Widget Embraces Material 3 Expressive Design Enhancements
Google has recently updated the Gmail widget for Android, introducing a series of Material 3 Expressive design enhancements aimed at refining user interaction and visual appeal.
A notable modification is the transformation of the Floating Action Button (FAB) used for composing emails. Previously presented as a rounded square under the Material You design, the FAB now adopts a pill-shaped form. This alteration aligns Gmail’s widget with the design language of other Google Workspace applications that have undergone similar Material 3 Expressive updates.
This redesign also results in a more compact header. The header now includes the Gmail icon preceding labels such as Inbox or other folder names, except in the narrowest widget configurations. This adjustment effectively frees up space, allowing for the display of an additional line of text at the bottom of the widget.
Furthermore, Google has reduced the padding on the left and right sides of the widget. This change enables users to view more of the subject line or email content directly from the widget, enhancing readability and efficiency.
These Material 3 Expressive updates were implemented in the Gmail for Android release version 2025.12.01, which was rolled out last month.
This update is part of Google’s broader initiative to modernize its applications with the Material 3 Expressive design language. Gmail’s widget now joins the ranks of Google Calendar and Google Drive, both of which have received similar design refreshes. Notably, Google Keep has yet to receive this update, and Google Tasks is anticipated to benefit significantly from a future redesign.
