One of your most-used Google apps is finally getting a big design makeover

It’s fairly common for platform owners like Google to update their first-party apps with a fresh look whenever they introduce a design overhaul to their operating systems to maintain design consistency. While users may not always like a new design, Google’s Material 3 Expressive design makeover seems to have struck the right chords, and the Mountain View tech giant is making sure all its apps get a taste of it.

After rolling out the Material 3 Expressive design to its Phone app last week, Google is giving the same treatment to another of its apps, Google Contacts. As first spotted by Android Authority, the Contacts app is finally getting the much-awaited Material 3 Expressive design overhaul.

What does Material 3 Expressive mean for the Contacts app?

Prior to the Material 3 Expressive, almost everything in the Contacts app felt like appearing on a continuous surface, which felt minimal. While minimalism has its fanbase, the card-like UI in Material 3 Expressive design separates different types of content in the Contacts app instead of clubbing everything together on a single sheet, making it easier to find what you need.

However, the expressive design in the Contacts app makes it feel slightly heavier in design, as compared to its previous version. Apart from the card-like UI, we also notice a lot more filled icons in the Contacts app, especially on the Contacts details page. While these may sound like small design changes, they’re pronounced enough to make the app look more polished and engaging.

If you’re a fan of Material 3 Expressive, you need to update the Contacts app to version 4.61.27 to see the change. However, it’s worth noting that this is gradually rolling out, so not everyone will get the update on the same day. If you don’t see the update, you should wait a few more days.

However, keep your expectations in check, even if you get the update in the next few days. While the addition of Material 3 Expressive is a welcome addition, we may not see it everywhere in the Contacts app when you get it. As things stand currently, the Settings and the New Contact page haven’t been updated with the expressive design. We’re hoping this to change before Google rolls out Android 16 QPR1 to Pixel devices this September.