Google has made a notable change to its Phone by Google app, rolling out a redesigned interface that removes the familiar Favorites tab. For those who frequently call the same contacts, the Favorites feature has always been a quick and efficient way to get in touch with just a tap.
Previously located at the bottom of the screen alongside Recents, Contacts, and Voicemail tabs, the Favorites tab would show the names and avatars of your most dialed contacts.
With the latest update, however, Google has opted to streamline the app’s design by replacing the tab with the word ‘Favorites’ at the top of the display. You’ll now see a small arrow next to it that can either point up or down. Tapping on the arrow reveals a list of your five most frequent contacts, along with a button to add new favorites. This change allows for more room on the screen for the Recents, Contacts, and Voicemail tabs, while also giving greater visibility to the Floating Action Button (FAB) used for dialing.
This update, currently available to those in the Phone by Google beta program, is rolling out to users with the latest Android 16 QPR1 Beta. If you haven’t seen the new design yet, it could be due to a server-side update that hasn’t been activated for your device. To check which version of the Phone by Google app you’re running, head to Settings > Apps > See all apps, find the Phone app, and scroll down to the bottom of the App info page where you’ll find the version number.
Google’s ongoing efforts to simplify and declutter the Android interface are evident in this update, ensuring that users can enjoy a more intuitive experience while making calls.