Google Chat's Redesign Starts Rolling Out on Android, Bringing a Streamlined User Interface

Google Chat revealed its redesigned interface in November, introducing significant changes aimed at streamlining navigation and enhancing the overall app experience. The update features a new bottom bar that introduces a lively touch to the app and offers users additional menu options. Although Google announced the redesign on its Google Workspace Updates blog, the rollout to smartphones has taken a few weeks. The updated UI is gradually becoming available to users through a recent Chat app update. Despite not being universally accessible yet, reports indicate that the redesign has reached some devices, with a Google Play Store update dated December 5. The server-side backend activation seems to contribute to the gradual deployment process. While Google initially mentioned a starting date of November 29 for the redesign to take effect, the blog acknowledged that it might take more than 15 days to become visible. As of now, it has been three weeks since November 19.

For those who have received the updated look, the bottom bar now appears as a floating pill housing four icons—Home, Direct messages, Spaces, and Mentions. Adjacent to this pill is a squared floating action button (FAB) for creating a new chat. In the Gmail app, the entire bar containing the Chat pill and the New Chat button functions as its own FAB, visible when pressing the middle chat icon on the bottom bar in Gmail.

The substantial changes brought by the redesign align Google Chat more closely with the Material You design language seen in various Google apps and software over the past few years. However, some users may express reservations about the design changes, considering the evolving uniformity across Google's suite of applications. The move toward a more consistent visual identity has raised concerns about distinguishing between different apps based on their logos and user interfaces. Google Chat caters to a diverse user base but is particularly popular among business and enterprise accounts. Available on Android, iOS, and web browsers, it offers cross-platform accessibility, making it a versatile communication tool for users on the go. As Google continues to refine its suite of applications, users may need to adapt to the evolving design choices and explore helpful tips and tricks for optimizing their Google Chat experience.