Over the past few days, Android users across the globe—including many in Pakistan and India—have noticed something strange: the interface for making and receiving calls has changed itself. No warning. No option. One moment you’re seeing your trusty layout, and the next it’s different—simpler, oddly spaced, and unfamiliar. That’s sparked confusion, frustration, and a healthy dose of “What’s going on?”
Here’s what actually happened, why it matters, and how you can fix it—fast.
What Changed—And Why
This isn’t malware or some sketchy app hijacking your settings. It’s Google’s new “Material 3 Expressive” update doing what it was designed to do: redesign core apps to feel fresher, friendlier, and more tap-friendly.
Among the main tweaks:
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The bottom navigation within the Phone app is now streamlined to just three tabs—“Home,” “Keypad,” and “Voicemail.” The old “Favorites,” “Recents,” and “Contacts” tabs are gone. Instead, your favorite contacts now sit in a bubble row right at the top of the Home screen, with every call log entry listed individually below it.
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Incoming calls now handle differently: you can answer or decline with a horizontal swipe or a tap—Google says it helps prevent pocket picks and accidental dismissals.
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Call buttons during active calls are pill-shaped and bigger, evolving from new Material 3 styling meant to make interaction smoother and more intuitive.
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Overall visuals are more expressive: contacts appear in round, playful containers—even incoming-call screens feature lumpy, whimsical contact image frames.
These are part of a broader, gradual roll-out across Google apps, starting earlier this year. It's not specific to your device brand; whether you're on a Pixel, OnePlus, or Samsung phone, if you've allowed auto-updates in the Play Store, this design likely came through without any manual intervention.
Why It’s Stirred Confusion
For many users, change happened overnight—with no announcement. That’s jarring. One minute the “Recents,” “Favorites,” and “Contacts” tabs were there; the next they disappeared.
Here’s why it created a stir:
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Heavyweight habit disruption – People memorize paths. When those go away, instinct fails, and annoyance spikes.
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Lost features – The old Favorites tab let you add or access key contacts at a tap. Now, that “Add” button is gone, along with the old quick-access tab.
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Visual missteps – Larger buttons, bubbles, and lumpy icons may feel childish to some, especially when they pop up unexpectedly.
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Rumor territory – Without any prompt, conspiracy theories spread quickly: “Is my phone hacked?” “Is it spying on me?” That uncertainty brings anxiety—even for harmless updates.
How Users Are Reacting
Reddit and forums are filled with a mix of excitement and frustration. Some users are loving the cleaner design and bigger buttons. Others say the new call swipe feature will save them from pocket dials. Yet plenty of others miss the old look—and the quick access to favorites. It’s a split, emotional roll-out.
If You’re Not Into the New Look—Here’s What You Can Do
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Uninstall Phone app updates – Open your Settings, navigate to the Phone app, and uninstall updates. That typically reverts you to the previous interface before the Material 3 redesign.
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Disable auto-updates for the app – In the Play Store, find the Phone app and disable automatic updates. This stops the new interface from returning unless you actively update again.
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Wait it out – Some users report that Google might tweak the design based on feedback. If you’re cool with living with it, refinements might roll out soon.
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Hope for customization – In the future, Google may allow toggling between classic and Expressive layouts—so consider leaving constructive feedback.
Why Google Did This—In the Big Picture
The Material 3 Expressive design isn’t just about looking prettier. It’s part of a multi-year animation and personalization strategy across Android and Wear OS. Google studied how people across ages and contexts recognize interface elements. The result: a design that’s visually clearer, quicker to spot, and more adjustable to personal style. They even claim this design helps older users locate UI elements just as fast as younger users—a move toward accessibility.
Expect to see this style spread across Google’s ecosystem: Gmail, Photos, Contacts, Keep, Meet, and more are in line for the Expressive overhaul. The goal? Consistency, fun animation, personalization, and usability.
Final Thoughts
So yes: your call app changed not because of a security threat, but because Google updated its design. It’s a big shift, and understandably won’t sit right with everyone right away. But this is also one of the biggest visual overhauls Android has seen in years. If you can, try giving the new look a chance—it just might grow on you. If not, you now know how to turn it off, at least for now.
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