Wear OS is about to get a fresh coat of paint, following in the footsteps of Android’s recent design language overhaul. At the heart of it is Material 3 Expressive, Google’s fresh design style that leans more colorful, dynamic, and polished. The first signs popped up in the Wear OS 6 Developer Preview, but now we’re getting a closer look at how this design makeover is landing in core apps. Gmail and Google Maps on Wear OS are among the first to try on the new look, and the changes are anything but subtle.
Android Authority reports a slick UI refresh for Google Maps on Wear OS. The old setup has been ditched in favor of a cleaner two-row layout featuring bold, pill-shaped controls. The biggest button now opens the map layer. These design tweaks first surfaced thanks to screenshots shared by Telegram user Hardik.
The change was spotted on a Galaxy Watch 4 running Maps version 25.23.01.766241648.W. The updated interface leans into bigger icons and smarter spacing. “Home” and “Work” shortcuts now appear as neat little pill-shaped buttons and skip the full address. Additionally, recent destinations show up in card-style containers, with a handy “Show more” button that expands the list to display up to eight spots.
Ditching the usual maze of menus and buried features, the new Maps interface on Wear OS puts everything you need front and center, easy-to-tap buttons that actually make sense on a watch. It’s the same user-first layout we’ve seen with Google Keep’s Material 3 Expressive makeover on Wear OS. The whole layout ties together with a signature teal accent, borrowed straight from the mobile app.
Gmail joins the party with a bold new look
At the same time, Google is starting to roll out a refreshed Gmail app for Wear OS, now sporting the bold new look of Material 3 Expressive, as per a separate report by Android Authority. The update, spotted in version 2025.05.19.760532898, isn’t live for everyone just yet, but those who’ve got it are seeing some clear design changes. Buttons and cards now have updated backgrounds. There are changes to button placement too—“Mark as unread,” “Reply,” and “Open on phone” have all been moved around and given fresh pops of color.
The “Mark as unread” button is way more eye-catching now, swapping out its old dull gray for a brighter background, while the archive, delete, and star buttons get the same fresh boost. The “Reply” button keeps its gray but got a subtle size upgrade for easier use. The “Open on phone” button is now rocking a green shade with a smooth arc that wraps along the bottom of the screen.
These changes line up exactly with Google’s goal for Material 3 Expressive, making your device feel more personal and customizable.
