Gboard, Google’s popular keyboard app for Android, offers a wide range of customization options, including themes. However, some users have reported issues with Gboard automatically changing its theme without their input. This can be frustrating, especially if you’ve carefully selected a theme that matches your preferences. Let’s explore several methods to resolve this issue and keep your Gboard theme consistent.
Disable Dynamic Color and System Auto Themes
The most common cause of Gboard’s automatic theme changes is the use of dynamic color or system auto themes. These options are designed to match your device’s theme or wallpaper but can lead to unexpected changes.
Step 1: Open any app that uses the keyboard and tap on the text field to bring up Gboard.
Step 2: Tap the gear icon (or G icon, then Settings) to open Gboard settings.
Step 3: Select “Theme” from the options.
Step 4: Scroll to the “Default” section and choose a static theme instead of “Dynamic Color” or “System Auto.”
By selecting a specific theme, you’re telling Gboard to maintain that appearance regardless of system changes.
Adjust Android’s Dark Mode Settings
If you’ve set your Android device to switch between light and dark modes automatically, this can affect Gboard’s appearance.
Step 1: Open your device’s Settings app.
Step 2: Navigate to “Display” or “Display & Brightness.”
Step 3: Look for “Dark mode” or “Night mode” settings.
Step 4: Disable any automatic switching options and choose either light or dark mode consistently.
This ensures your system theme remains constant, which can prevent Gboard from changing its theme unexpectedly.
Clear Gboard’s Cache and Data
Corrupted app data can sometimes cause unexpected behavior. Clearing Gboard’s cache and data might resolve the issue.
Step 1: Open your device’s Settings app.
Step 2: Navigate to “Apps” or “Application Manager.”
Step 3: Find and tap on “Gboard” in the list of apps.
Step 4: Tap on “Storage” or “Storage & cache.”
Step 5: Tap “Clear cache” and then “Clear data.”
Step 6: Restart your device and set up your preferred Gboard theme again.
Be aware that clearing data will reset all Gboard settings, including any custom dictionaries you may have created.
Update Gboard and Android
Outdated software can often lead to unexpected behavior. Ensuring both Gboard and your Android system are up-to-date can resolve many issues.
Step 1: Open the Google Play Store app.
Step 2: Search for “Gboard” and update if an update is available.
Step 3: To update Android, go to Settings > System > System update.
Step 4: If an update is available, download and install it.
After updating, check if the theme changing issue persists.
Disable Gboard’s Material You Integration
For devices running Android 12 or later, Gboard uses Material You theming, which can cause automatic theme changes.
Step 1: Open Gboard settings as described earlier.
Step 2: Tap on “Theme.”
Step 3: Look for an option related to Material You or system integration and disable it.
This step may vary depending on your device and Gboard version, but disabling this feature can prevent unwanted theme changes.
Use a Third-Party Keyboard Temporarily
If none of the above solutions work, consider using a different keyboard app temporarily to determine if the issue is specific to Gboard or a system-wide problem.
Step 1: Download a reputable keyboard app from the Google Play Store.
Step 2: Set it as your default keyboard in Settings > System > Languages & input > Default keyboard.
Step 3: Use this keyboard for a day or two and observe if the theme remains consistent.
If the alternative keyboard doesn’t change themes unexpectedly, the issue is likely with Gboard, and you may need to wait for a future update to resolve it.
Persistent theme changes in Gboard can be annoying, but these methods should help you maintain your preferred keyboard appearance. If you continue to experience issues after trying these solutions, consider reaching out to Google support or posting on the Android or Gboard community forums for additional assistance.