Google Messages has received some tweaks and changes over recent weeks, and now it's getting what could be the most significant adjustment: it now has the Material 3 Expressive design language on the main chat screen.
The main chat screen is where most users spend the most time while using the app, so before this update, it looked out of place compared to Android's latest design sensibilities.
Google used to offer colorful circles for Gallery, GIFs, Stickers, Magic Compse, Files and other functions in the Messages bar. Now, these have been dropped in favor of minimalistic pills. Based on the 9To5Google screenshots, the new icons exceed two rows (they are oblong instead of circular). I'm not sure I love having an extra row with only one icon in it, but it does look less cluttered overall.
Message threads now sit inside rounded-corner containers, keeping with the shape and design. There's an app bar that keeps your call and overflow shortcuts close by.
The expressive media picker is a bit different now, as well. There's a cool button that changes depending on the type of media you're working with.
Some may not consider this an upgrade, but solid backgrounds are replacing the vibrant wallpapers previously found in the app. Personally, I like the low-key look these offer, but that's a matter of taste.
The messages redesign has been a process for Google, with new changes rolling out steadily. It seems this visual overhaul might be the final step in the process, although you never know with Google, as there could still be some sort of surprise to come.
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