Google Phone App Introduces New UI and Gesture-Based Call Controls

Published by Shivani Bhore on June 20, 2025

Google has started to release a Material 3 Expressive design upgrade for its Android Phone app, which includes a significant visual makeover. Along with new gesture-based call answering choices including single tap and horizontal swipe, the update also adds revamped features in the Recent tab and in-call screen. A recent app deconstruction was the first indication of this updated interface.

At its first “Android Show: I/O Edition,” Google unveiled Material 3 Expressive last month, calling it the next significant visual advancement for Android 16. To provide a more individualized, expressive user experience, the new design language builds upon the principles of Material You by emphasizing dynamic color theming, engaging animations, responsive UI elements, and modernized typography.

What’s New in the Phone by Google App: Features & Design Updates

Call logs are now shown as rounded rectangular cards on the Recents page, a container layout that has been implemented throughout the app, including the dialer screen and Favorites section. For visual coherence, the background sheet now has rounded corners, but the number pad itself stays the same. Additionally, design changes have been made to filters including All, Missed, Contacts, Non-Spam, and Spam.

Users may now choose between “Horizontal swipe” and “Single tap” to answer calls with the new “Incoming call gesture” option in the main Settings menu, which has been redesigned with the new Material 3 Expressive layout. A scalloped Material 3 shape on the incoming call screen rotates until something is done.

Pill-shaped buttons that change into rounded rectangles when selected have taken the place of the circular control buttons during an active call. These include a bigger, more noticeable End Call button and improved spacing.

Other Google apps that use Material 3 Expressive

Gmail, Google Photos, and Google Messages are among the other apps that Google has expanded the Material 3 Expressive upgrade to in recent weeks.