A major update is ready for the Google Phone app. Google is giving the app a new, fresh design in the style of Material 3 Expressive. In the process, we also see new features for the calling app.
New design for Google Phone app
Google has given the Phone app a major visual update. While earlier changes in June were still limited to beta testers, the new version now seems to be more widely available. Users report seeing the updated interface on several phones, including Pixels and Xiaomi devices, running both the stable Android 16 and the latest beta versions.
Photo via Androidpolice
The update brings a Material 3 Expressive design, making the app look more modern and consistent. During conversations, for example, you will now see contact photos in a moving, squiggly circle shape. The menu at the bottom has also been simplified: instead of four tabs, there are now three. Favourites have been moved to a drop-down list at the top of the Recent view. Moreover, in that same tab, you can filter your call history by All, Missed, Contacts, No spam and Spam.
Incoming calls
Besides the visual tweaks, the incoming call controls have also changed. By default, you now swipe horizontally to answer or reject a call. In settings, you can also choose to tap with buttons. Google is replacing the old vertical swipe gesture with this, as it was sometimes accidentally activated when taking your phone out of your pocket.
The update is being rolled out via a server-side change.
