Google Introduces New Gradient Icons for Messages, Phone and Contacts

ISLAMABAD: (Web Desk) Google is rolling out redesigned icons for several of its popular apps, replacing the traditional flat-colour appearance with a softer look featuring vibrant gradients.

The update covers Google Messages, Phone by Google and Google Contacts. The company says the changes are purely visual and will not affect how the apps function.

The Mountain View-based technology giant said users would notice a “sleeker, more cohesive look on your home screen in the coming weeks”.

The move is part of Google’s broader effort to give its applications a more distinct visual identity. The company has gradually moved away from its traditional four-colour overlapping design, introducing gradient-based icons across several services.

Popular apps including Gmail, Google Meet, Google Drive and Google Workspace applications such as Docs, Sheets and Slides have already adopted the refreshed design. Even Google’s familiar ‘G’ logo received a rounded, gradient-style makeover last September.

Chrome Yet to Receive a Major Icon Redesign

So far, Chrome remains one of the major Google applications that has not received a complete logo redesign. Instead, recent updates to the browser have focused on new features and security improvements.

These include native Global Privacy Control (GPC), which automatically sends websites a request not to sell or share users’ personal information when the feature is enabled.

Chrome has also introduced ClickFix protection and an Enhanced Autofill feature powered by Gemini AI. The latter can retrieve information such as order numbers and flight bookings from Gmail and suggest relevant details when users fill out online forms.

Despite these additions, Google has not announced whether or when Chrome’s app icon will be redesigned to match the new appearance of its other applications.

For now, the refreshed icons for Google Messages, Phone and Contacts are being rolled out to users through the open beta channel.