Many Android phone users were surprised this week when the familiar Google phone app, also known as Google Dialy, suddenly looked different. Change is part of Google’s new material 3 design rollout, which is now reaching devices without the need to manually update the app to users. While the company is pitching it as a cleaner and more modern layout, online reactions suggest that not everyone is pleased with the makeover.

What’s new in design

The updated phone app introduces many noticeable changes. The older partition between the recipes and the favorite is removed, and the two now appear together in the integrated home tab. The keypad, which had previously appeared on the same screen, has been transferred to a separate section with large, rounder buttons. The contact option is no longer in front, but the search bar is placed inside the slide-out menu.

The call interface has also been tuned. The incoming call can be answered or with a horizontal swipe, similar to iPhones, although users can switch back to the old tap-to-answer method via the settings menu. During an active call, the control buttons now appear in a tablet -like design, with a bright red and call button that is difficult to remember.

Why are users sad

The biggest concern seems to be how sudden change has come. Many users ever woke up in a new form without updating the app. On social media, complaints describe the button as “oversized” and layout as “disorganized”. Some people say that new designs slow them down because they were used for old interfaces. Mems X and Instagram have also appeared, who confuse people what happened to their dialer overnight.

One user wrote, “The phone app used to be perfection. Now button blocks are oversized and ugly.” Another saying, “What is an ugly design for a phone dialer. Please change and bring back the old. You have forcefully updated this design throughout India without any update.”

A common criticism is directed on the major red and call button, which some users feel that the first is much loud than the micro design.

Can you go back to the old layout?

There is no official option from Google to restore the previous look. However, swipe-to-north gesture can be disabled by heading by selecting incoming call gestures and tap-to-answer options. For those who prefer the old layout strongly, uninstalling the app from the Play Store brings back the version that was originally sent with the phone. But this also means that new reforms and losing features, so it may not be practical for all users.

OnePlus, Oppo and Realme smartphone owners can download the Odder app from the Play Store, which provides a more traditional dialer experience and is supported on these devices. Other people can check any other phone dialer app on the Play Store.