Google Messages is getting a fresh new look as the iconic ‘G’ logo might soon disappear from the app. As part of Google’s ongoing updates to its apps, which include small but significant changes based on the Material 3 Expressive design, the Google Messages app is in line for a branding overhaul.
While this isn’t a groundbreaking change, it does give the app a more refined appearance.
Android Authority uncovered the upcoming update after some careful digging. Currently, the app features the well-known ‘G’ logo at the top-left corner of the app, followed by the word ‘Messages.’ But in the near future, that ‘G’ will be replaced by the full Google wordmark, followed by ‘Messages.’ The new ‘Google’ wordmark will use the same colors as the old logo-blue, red, yellow, and green-giving it a vibrant, recognizable feel.
The new branding has already been previewed on Samsung’s Galaxy phones running One UI. This change follows a trend where Google has rolled out similar updates to other apps, such as Google Photos, Calendar, and Drive
. The goal is to create a unified look across Google’s apps, making them instantly recognizable, no matter the app in question.
For Android users, Google Messages plays a crucial role as it supports Rich Communication Services (RCS). It enables chats with other Google Messages users to run RCS, providing features like enhanced messaging and end-to-end encryption. However, this encryption doesn’t apply when chatting with iPhone users, as they don’t yet support RCS.
Interestingly, some Android users still opt for messaging apps branded by their wireless providers, but if Google Messages isn’t already on your phone, you can easily download it through the provided link. As for when the new branding will roll out to all users, that’s still unclear. What we do know is that Google is working towards a more consistent look across its suite of apps. With this update, even the least tech-savvy user will recognize that they’re using Google Messages.