Gboard’s New Google Assistant-Powered Enhanced Voice Typing Feature Being Pulled From Pixel Devices: Report

Many users who had earlier reported seeing the enhanced voice typing feature on their Pixel devices said they were unable to find it any longer.

Advertisement
By Tanishka Sodhi | Updated: 4 November 2020 13:47 IST
Highlights
  • Gboard’s enhanced voice typing feature had rolled out for Pixel users
  • It worked with Google Assistant to substitute typing
  • Google is reportedly reverting to its old voice typing setting

Google is reverting to the old voice typing settings for Gboard on Pixel devices

Google is pulling Gboard's enhanced voice typing feature from its Pixel devices, as per reports. The company had recently rolled out a Gboard update for some Pixel users that allowed them to enable enhanced voice typing with voice commands using Google Assistant. But the feature is reportedly being removed. Google is said to be reverting to the old voice typing settings after a very brief run with enhanced voice typing.

A report by 9to5Google indicates that the enhanced typing feature on Pixel phones was being removed; many users who had reported seeing the feature earlier said they could no longer access it. Enhanced voice typing using Google Assistant was available as an option on Gboard for Pixel 4, Pixel 4XL, Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a 5G, and Pixel 5 users. However, it hadn't rolled out for all users.

Advertisement

After Google was spotted testing the feature a few months ago, it started rolling out to a limited number of users this week. The update allowed users to enable enhanced voice typing with voice commands provided by Google Assistant. A ‘New!' banner appeared on Gboard after tapping the microphone icon, which said that users could ‘Save time typing' by using the Google Assistant feature.

For example, users could utilise this feature to say “Clear” to delete text, instead of manually using the backspace key. They could also say “Send” to send a message, instead of clicking on the button.

Advertisement

Besides enhanced voice typing, an Auto punctuation option had also rolled out to users in the update. When enabled, it automatically added punctuation like commas, question marks, and exclamation marks while taking dictation. It is unclear if this feature has been removed as well.

It is possible that Google will roll out the enhanced voice typing feature again, this time to a wider audience, after addressing certain issues that may have popped up with the feature.

Advertisement


Is OnePlus 8T the best 'value flagship' of 2020? We discussed this on Orbital, our weekly technology podcast, which you can subscribe to via Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or RSS, download the episode, or just hit the play button below.

Affiliate links may be automatically generated - see our ethics statement for details.
 

Get your daily dose of tech news, reviews, and insights, in under 80 characters on Gadgets 360 Turbo. Connect with fellow tech lovers on our Forum. Follow us on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News for instant updates. Catch all the action on our YouTube channel.

Advertisement

Related Stories

Popular Mobile Brands
  1. These OnePlus Smartphones Could Receive the ColorOS 17 Update in India
  2. Dell Alienware 16X Aurora Launched in India Alongside Alienware Area-51 Series
  3. Redmi Note 17 Pro Max Listed on NBTC Website Ahead of Imminent Launch
  4. OnePlus N6x Design, Colour Options Teased Ahead of India Launch
  5. Samsung Galaxy A55, Galaxy A35 One UI 9 Internal Testing Begins, Leak Suggests
  6. Tecno Camon 50 Ultra 5G Sale Begins in India Today
  7. Redmi Note 17 India Launch Timeline, Key Specifications Leaked
  1. OnePlus N6x Design, Colour Options Teased in New Marketing Material Ahead of Imminent Launch in India
  2. OnePlus 11, Nord 4, and Newer Models Tipped to Receive the Android 17-Based ColorOS 17 Update in India
  3. Redmi Note 17 Pro Max Appears on Thailand's NBTC Certification Database, Might Launch Soon
  4. Apple’s First Foldable iPhone Reportedly Appears in iOS 27 Beta Code With a Multi-Battery Setup
  5. X for Android App Undergoes Major Design Overhaul, Enhanced Performance and Reliability
  6. Samsung Galaxy Buds Able to Reportedly Skip Galaxy Unpacked Launch; Could Debut in October
  7. Dell Alienware 16X Aurora, Alienware 16 Area-51 and Alienware 18 Area-51 Launched in India: Price, Specifications
  8. Samsung Galaxy A55, Galaxy A35 One UI 9 Test Builds Reportedly Spotted Ahead of Android 17 Rollout
  9. Xiaomi Pad 9 Could Launch Soon With a Bigger Battery, Certification Listing Suggests: Expected Specifications
  10. Redmi 17 4G EPREL Certification Listing Gives an Early Look at Its Specifications
Download Our Apps
Available in Hindi
© Copyright Red Pixels Ventures Limited 2026. All rights reserved.