Google Messages beta tests redesigned home screen with pinned chat photos
The Android beta moves search to a floating button and relocates the Gemini shortcut to the top-right corner next to the profile image.
Google Messages for Android is testing a redesigned home screen in its beta channel, according to 9to5google.com. The test introduces three main changes: larger pinned chats, a relocated search button and a new position for the Gemini shortcut.
Pinned conversations now appear as large contact photos above all other chats, rather than sitting at the top of the conversation list. In this layout, pinned chats no longer show message history or last-sent information.
Search moves to a centered floating action button next to the new-chat button. When the user scrolls, search becomes a pill-shaped button while the other button is minimized.
The Gemini shortcut has moved from a floating action button to a button in the top-right corner, next to the profile image. The redesigned page keeps the existing background layer that holds the logo, search and account menu.
The changes are not yet widely available: they remain in the beta channel, and Google appears to be rolling out the components in piecemeal fashion, so not all testers will see them at once.
Quick answers
Is the redesigned Google Messages home screen available to everyone?
No. The changes are in the beta channel and have not been widely rolled out to all testers.
Where did the Gemini shortcut move?
It moved from a floating action button to a button in the top-right corner next to the profile image.