Google Messages Picks Up Material 3 Expressive Design, But Not Fully

It looks like Android 16’s Material 3 Expressive design is quietly making its way into some apps. After our early previews of several apps, we learned yesterday that Gmail is now rolling out a fresh redesign. Now, Google Messages appears to be getting a partially applied Material 3 Expressive makeover as well.

Google is now testing Material 3 Expressive design for the Messages app

9to5Google reports that Google Messages is now rolling out a Material 3 Expressive redesign. For now, it’s limited to the chat interface, so we’re still a ways off from the full makeover, which should eventually be applied throughout the entire app. However, there are already a few noticeable changes, which the publication helpfully shared in screenshots.

One major update in Google Messages is the shift from circular to pill-shaped containers. For instance, message threads now appear inside rounded, pill-shaped boxes. These boxes feature the same darker background color as the app bar at the top, helping them stand out from the chat area. The app bar itself has also been darkened slightly to create a clearer separation from the messages.

When you tap the plus (+) button to add photos, GIFs, or stickers, these options now appear within pill-shaped containers as well. They share the same background color as the contact bar at the top, giving the app a more cohesive look. The menu feels less cluttered with fewer colorful icons, which contributes to a cleaner, simpler design.

The emoji menu has been revamped too. The tabs for switching between emojis, GIFs, stickers, and Photomoji are now grouped inside a single rounded container. The active tab is highlighted with a pill-shaped background. The search bar has been moved below the tabs to avoid crowding and improve usability. Also, the Photomoji tab, which used to be first, has been shifted to the far right.

This new design is currently being tested in the Google Messages beta v20250528_00_RC00, primarily on Samsung devices. Not everyone will see it just yet, as Google is rolling it out gradually. Other parts of the app haven’t been updated so far, but more changes may arrive later this year.