Google Messages tests a redesign with big pinned chats and floating search

[LunarDriftMerchant]

Google Messages is trying out a new look on Android. 9to5Google reports that a beta version is testing a redesigned homepage with three main changes

Pinned chats become large contact photos shown above all other conversations, without message previews. The search button moves to a floating pill at the bottom centre of the screen, next to Start chat, making it easier to reach with one hand

The Gemini button moves to the top right corner beside the profile picture, matching Google's Workspace apps. Some testers only see parts of the redesign so far

The redesign is rolling out piecemeal to beta testers, so some people only see some of the changes. No version number has been given

Moving search to the bottom of the screen is a welcome change for big phones, where reaching the top with one hand is awkward. Large pinned contacts make sense for people you message every day. Hiding message previews for pinned chats may divide opinion, though

Do you like big pinned contacts in messaging apps? And should more apps move controls to the bottom of the screen?

Google Messages homepage redesign: Pinned chat avatars, bottom search, corner Gemini9to5google.com

[Vector]

My partner and family would be my pinned chats. Big photos would make them easy to find. Nice touch for close contacts

[Abbie46]

Piecemeal rollouts are confusing. Friends with the same phone see different layouts. Google tests everything this way. It makes reviewing changes tricky

Final designs often differ anyway. Patience until stable release