Google Messages homescreen redesign removes nav drawer [U: Beta]

Google is redesigning the Messages homescreen in an fascinating method that replaces the navigation drawer and introduces key branding into the Android app. 

Update 7/24: Google Messages has extensively rolled out the homescreen redesign to these within the beta channel. 20230719_05_RC00 is the most recent model, however this new prime bar is a server-side replace at this time. It’s not but showing for secure customers, however this revamp seems fairly particular as testing ramps up.

Message group remains to be not out there with this new look, although Google might deliver it again later. Meanwhile, Google doesn’t seem to have a immediate but directing individuals to faucet their avatar for entry to what was beforehand situated within the hamburger menu/navigation drawer. It’s inflicting some confusion.

Update 7/19: We’re seeing the Google Messages homescreen redesign once more with beta model 20230717_01_RC00. There’s now an app bar with a darker shade of Dynamic Color as an alternative of the highest part being utterly flat.

We’re not seeing Message group, which simply reappeared for beta customers, enabled with this revamp. Meanwhile, Google has ever so barely tweaked the search filters. This new look will not be but extensively rolled out.

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Original 6/13: Instead of a full-width search bar, you simply get a magnifying glass icon. In the top-left nook, you might have Google’s four-color “G” emblem adopted by “Messages.” 

The navigation drawer and its hamburger icon have been eliminated with these choices now within the account menu. Archived, Spam & blocked, Mark all as learn, and Device pairing seem first, with Your knowledge in Messages, Messages settings, and Help & suggestions unchanged. Meanwhile, Google has moved “Choose theme” into the settings menu.

Messages gained a navigation drawer in early 2022 after beforehand solely leveraging an overflow menu. At the time, this was seen as bucking the path of recent Google app design.

Old vs. new

A small change in search sees Google drop the “Categories” carousel for the standard grid that requires much less scrolling: Starred, Images, Videos, Places, Links, Unread, Known, and Unknown.

The navigation drawer in Messages was inefficient, with only some objects, and never wanted in comparison with apps like Gmail (with its lengthy listing folders and labels), in addition to Calendar. This account menu method, which different first-party apps just like the Google Play Store have additionally adopted, is extra environment friendly. Additionally, the complete search bar, although a staple of Google apps, was additionally pointless.

More fascinating to me is the “G” emblem within the top-left nook that serves as very express Google branding that denotes how that is how the corporate desires you to message. It may be seen as a part of Google’s ongoing RCS marketing campaign. 

We’re seeing this homescreen redesign rolled out with model 20230608_01_RC00 of Google Messages that was launched yesterday to the beta channel. This redesign will not be but extensively out there, however appears like a particular modernization. 

Old vs. new

More on Google Messages:

• AT&T switching to Google’s Jibe platform for RCS
• Messages Magic Compose beta begins rolling out: RCS solely, precedence for Google One subs
• Google Messages including mark as learn/unread swipe motion