Android Phone app highlights: redesign, new gestures, and notification sync

In recent months, the Android Phone app has undergone several major changes aimed at improving the calling experience and contact management. These modifications come in parallel with the deployment of Android 16, the new version of Google's operating system, and are part of a trend to standardize the essential application environment across all Android devices.

With the progressive adoption of Material 3 Expressive, the Phone app has been revamped in both appearance and functionality, introducing new gestures, new ways to organize contacts, and clearly moving toward more seamless integration between devices. changes impact both Google Pixel users as well as those who have mobile phones from other brands that use the native Google application, such as Xiaomi.

A new design for the Phone app

One of the most visible aspects is the rediseño de la interfaz under the principles of Material 3 ExpressiveThis new visual approach features simplified menus and a much cleaner environment, with larger elements and colors that match the rest of the system.

Now, The classic tabs at the bottom such as "Favorites", "Contacts" and "Recents" give way to three main sections: Start, Marcador y VoicemailThis makes navigation more intuitive, while filters such as missed calls or calls identified as spam move to the top of the screen.

The section of Home unifies favorite contacts and call logs, making it easier to locate or reconnect with your frequent callers. Additionally, the call history has adopted a more modern style, displaying each record in boxes with rounded corners and a subtle background.

New gesture to answer and reject calls

One of the new features that has generated the most expectations is the incorporation of a specific swipe gesture to answer or reject callsAccording to Google, this feature is based on suggestions received from users themselves and aims to minimize accidental responses—for example, when taking the phone out of your pocket. Instead of the usual buttons, Now just slide the screen in the indicated direction to accept or hang up a call., which provides convenience and reduces the margin of error.

Por el momento, este The new gesture is currently being rolled out and will initially be available to beta users. from the Google Phone app. Its availability will be gradual over the coming months, and, as announced, it won't be necessary to wait for a major operating system update for it to reach all compatible devices.

Better organization of contacts and recent calls

The redesign not only affects the visual, but also the way in which relevant information is displayed. The most frequently used contacts now appear highlighted, and repeated calls from the same number are no longer grouped together, helping to identify how frequently we receive calls from certain callers.

Además, se han reubicado los Filters for incoming, missed, and blocked calls, and the marker occupies a more central position, making it easier to access. These changes contribute to the Make call and contact management faster and more direct.

Sync notifications and tasks between Android devices

Along with the facelift of the Phone app, Google is preparing one of the big bets of this generation of Android: Real-time synchronization of tasks, apps, and notifications across devices. Inspired by Apple's equivalent technologies like "Handoff," this upcoming feature will allow you to continue calls, access notifications, or even Stream apps between a mobile phone and a tablet or between multiple Android phones.

This will make it easier, for example, to start a conversation or manage a call on your mobile phone and resume it from your tablet without missing a step. Although it is still in beta and without a specific release date, there are already references in the Google Play Services code that make it clear that the path is moving towards a unified, cross-platform experience dentro del ecosistema Android.

Some features are already in testing and will be activated gradually as development progresses. Synchronization will make it much easier to use multiple Android devices on a daily basis.

The Phone app landscape on Android is undergoing a profound transformation. The visual redesign, new gestures, and the integration of synchronization functions aim to simplify and modernize call management. and interaction with contacts. Google's commitment to adapting to user needs and bringing the Android experience closer to that of other operating systems promises new features that will be implemented progressively, with an emphasis on convenience and accessibility.