Google Messages for Android is testing a homepage redesign that puts pinned chats as large contact photos above every other conversation. Abner Li at 9to5Google spotted the change, which also moves search to the bottom of the screen and shifts the Gemini button into the top-right corner.
The change you’ll feel most is where your thumb goes. Search becomes a centred floating button next to new chat, so finding an old thread no longer means stretching to the top of a tall phone. 9to5Google says the layout boosts one-handed use, and that its animation “looks nice”.
The button changes as you move through the list. Scroll down and “Search” sits in a pill-shaped button while new chat shrinks. Otherwise, you’ll see a circular magnifying glass beside a “Start chat” pill.
Pinned chats used to sit at the top of the list. In the test, they take over the background layer that now holds the Messages wordmark, search, and account menu, which pushes everything else down the page. 9to5Google says the layout has a trade-off, like iMessage on iOS: it doesn’t show any history or last sent information for those pinned chats.
Gemini also moves. Google replaced the floating Gemini button with one in the top-right corner, next to your profile picture. 9to5Google says it matches the design Workspace apps use on desktop and mobile.
The homepage test follows Messages’ new blue gradient app icon, which matches Google’s new G logo. Google has also redesigned the search bar in its Android app this autumn.
The redesign is still only a test. It’s in the beta channel and hasn’t reached all testers yet. Google hasn’t said whether the design will ship or when. Some users have all three changes, while Google appears to be rolling them out.
