Google Phone App Reinstates Contacts Tab After User Behavior Review
The Google Phone app has undergone a change in its layout. The Contacts tab was removed from the main navigation bar last year as part of the Material 3 Expressive redesign, but it is now being reinstated.
With the August 2025 update, the app's navigation simplified to just three options: Home, Keypad, and Voicemail. The Contacts tab was accessible via the navigation drawer or through the Favorites carousel at the top of the main feed.
The current update brings back the Contacts tab as a standalone option in the main navigation bar, alongside Home and Keypad. This change is likely due to user behavior patterns, with many people using the dialer app for contact access.
However, this change is still rolling out slowly to users who have updated their Phone by Google app to version 240 or later. It's unclear when it will be fully available to all testers.