Google is reconsidering the controversial design change it made to the Phone app last year. The Contacts tab, which was removed from the main screen and moved to the side menu, appears to have returned to the bottom menu in the new beta version. According to Android Authority’s review, Contacts will be positioned alongside the Home and Keypad options. If the change is carried over to the stable release, users will no longer have to open the side menu to access their contacts. With the new layout, the Contacts option is also expected to be removed from the side menu. However, the adjustment has so far been seen only in the beta version. It is unclear when Google will roll out this design to which devices and whether it will retain it in the stable release.
Why it matters
This adjustment could affect the visibility of contact access within the app and the steps involved in everyday use; for those who frequently use the Contacts tab in particular, the interface choice directly affects the user experience. However, a change in the beta stage does not immediately mean a result that applies to everyone using the current stable version. Since it is uncertain whether Google will retain the design, it is also unclear whether the access method users are accustomed to will change permanently. In addition, because it is not known which devices the rollout will cover or when it will take place, the scope of this development and its impact on users can currently be assessed only to a limited extent.
Background
Google is no stranger to this name in the FikirPilot archive: we have published 104 news stories mentioning it in the past 90 days; the latest is dated September 26, 2026.