Google’s long-awaited Workspace icon refresh is rolling out now, ditching the familiar four-color circles for a new gradient-heavy, app-specific design.
A New Look for Google’s Apps
Google has begun rolling out redesigned icons for its Workspace suite of applications, including Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Meet, Chat, Calendar, Tasks, Keep, Voice, Forms, and Sites. The new design replaces the previous uniform four-color circle icons with gradient colors and distinct shapes for each application.
Timeline and Availability
The rollout began in late 2025, according to reports from 9to5Google. The new icons first appeared in the web app launcher, accessible from the top-right corner of most Google websites and on Chrome's New Tab page. The icons have also been observed in the top-left corner of some applications, including Keep and the homepages for Docs, Sheets, Slides, Vids, Forms, and Sites.
The update has been reported on iOS devices and in the app switcher on some Google accounts.
Favicons and logos in application editors have not been updated. The rollout is ongoing, and further information may be announced at Google I/O events scheduled for May 2025 and 2026.
Icon Design Changes per Application
The redesign introduces gradient effects and, for most applications, removes the previous mandate to include all four Google colors. Each application now features a distinct primary color and unique icon shape.
- Gmail: Red envelope with an 'M' shape featuring minor yellow, green, and blue accents. This is the only icon retaining all four Google colors.
- Google Drive: Green, yellow, and blue colors in a rounded triangle container; the red element has been removed.
- Google Docs, Sheets, Slides: Each retains a single predominant color. Docs uses a vertical paper icon. Sheets and Slides have been redesigned to a landscape orientation.
- Google Meet: A predominantly yellow video camera icon, representing a significant departure from the previous design.
- Google Chat: A pill-shaped green message bubble containing a smile.
- Google Calendar: A skeuomorphic flip-style calendar in blue.
- Google Tasks: A checkmark symbol with blue as the primary color.
- Google Keep: A yellow light bulb icon without a page background or border.
- Google Voice: A rounded phone shape in light green.
- Google Forms: Multiple choice bubbles in purple.
- Google Sites: A lighter blue icon with a horizontal layout.
Design Rationale
The redesign addresses criticism of the previous icon set, which users reported as being difficult to differentiate at a glance. The new icons feature softer, rounder corners and gradients transitioning from pastel to saturated Google primary colors.
According to 9to5Google, the gradient design language represents the presence of AI-powered features.
The previous uniform four-color mandate and page containers have been removed for most applications, allowing for larger, more distinctive icons.
Independent Recreations
Independent designers Andreas Storm and another designer known as 'GK' have created recreations of the new icons using Figma, based on reported leaks. These files are available for users with a Figma account to export the icons for use on other platforms, including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.
The redesign comes nearly five years after Google's previous icon update. Google also released redesigned 3D emoji as part of Android 17 last week.