Google is experimenting with a major update to its Phone app, which may eliminate the familiar Favorites tab. This change is currently being tested on some Pixel 8 Pro devices using the public beta version of the app, specifically version 178.0.765584175. Instead of a separate Favorites tab, favorite contacts will now be displayed in a horizontal row at the top of the Recents tab. This design mirrors the layout seen in other dialer apps that feature shortcuts for frequent contacts.
The user Ahmad was the first to notice this change, and provided visual evidence of the new interface. In the updated version, the Favorites tab is no longer present; instead, pinned favorites will appear atop the Recents section, followed by the list of recent calls. A new “Add” button will allow users to access their contact list for adding more favorites. One notable omission in this redesign is the frequent contacts section, which used to be located below the favorites in the prior version.
It remains unclear if this feature has been eliminated or simply relocated within the app. While the new layout offers a cleaner aesthetic, it may disappoint users who appreciated having dedicated spaces for both favorites and frequent contacts. At this stage, it is uncertain how widely this change is being rolled out, but further updates will be provided as developments occur. If you have insights or tips regarding this change, the Android Authority team invites you to share your thoughts via email.
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