Gboard 16.0 adds option to hide period and comma keys on Android

Google has added a new option to Gboard for Android that lets users hide the period and comma keys, a change rolling out in the latest versions of the keyboard app. The feature is appearing in Gboard version 16.0 across both beta and stable channels and can be toggled on or off in Settings under Preferences.

Under the new Preferences entries, each punctuation key has its own switch labeled to show the comma key or the period key on the keyboard. Both switches are enabled by default, preserving the familiar layout for most users. Turning one or both off removes the corresponding key or keys from the bottom row of the keyboard, leaving only the ?123 key, the Enter key, and a wider space bar in between. The period remains accessible by double tapping the space bar, a shortcut Gboard already supports, while the comma must be inserted through the symbols menu accessed via the ?123 key.

The change continues a recent pattern of increased customization in Gboard. Earlier updates introduced adjustable font size, keyboard resizing, and other interface experiments, while Google has been expanding features such as AI-assisted writing and streamlined suggestions. This punctuation toggle...