Google updates ‘G’ icon for the first time in nearly a decade, adds modern gradient flair

Nearly 10 years after its last major brand refresh, Google is quietly rolling out a redesign of its iconic single-letter ‘G’ icon. The update ditches the familiar four solid color blocks — red, yellow, green, and blue — for a gradient effect where each hue smoothly bleeds into the next. The result is a more vibrant, contemporary look that visually aligns with Google’s recent design language around AI, including the Gemini brand and Search’s new AI Mode shortcut.

According to a report by 9to5Google, the updated ‘G’ icon is already live on iOS via the Google Search app and began appearing on Android this week with Google app beta version 16.18. While the change is subtle—especially when reduced to favicon size or a homescreen app icon—it reflects a broader visual shift toward dynamic, gradient-driven aesthetics within Google’s ecosystem.

The main Google wordmark remains untouched for now, and there’s no official word yet on whether other iconic four-color product logos, such as Chrome or Maps, will adopt similar design tweaks. However, the gradient treatment could be an easy fit for other apps as Google leans further into AI-infused user experiences.

The last major update to Google’s branding came in September 2015, when the company introduced the Product Sans typeface and a redesigned ‘G’ with solid color segments to match. This latest update marks the first visual evolution of that ‘G’ in nearly a decade.