Google is pushing a big visual update to the Messages app, bringing the Material 3 Expressive design straight to the main chat screen. This comes after weeks of updating other parts of the messaging app, and now the centerpiece is getting its turn.
As spotted by 9to5Google, one standout tweak is the redesigned “plus” menu in the message bar. The old colorful circular icons for things like Gallery, GIFs, Stickers, Magic Compose, Files, and more have been swapped for cleaner pill-shaped buttons in a tidier grid. The menu now matches the Messages bar’s background, giving the whole interface a more cohesive look.
Furthermore, the message thread now sits in a rounded-corner container that matches the homepage’s design. The app bar at the top keeps shortcuts for calls and the overflow menu, while the playful wallpaper has been swapped for a solid background in both light and dark mode, giving the chat screen a more polished look.
The emoji menu gets a fresh layout too
Opening the emoji menu now shows a connected button bar for quick switching between Emoji, GIFs, Stickers, and Photomoji. The whole section sits in a rounded container, with the active tab marked by a pill-shaped highlight. The search bar has also been moved just below this button row, separating it more clearly from the main text field.
This broader rollout of the revamped chat screen marks the final stage of Google Messages’ step-by-step redesign. First previewed at Google I/O’s Android Show in May, the Material 3 Expressive style focuses on a cleaner layout and subtle design touches meant to make conversations feel more natural and visually engaging.
