Google is set to add a splash of color to the Android Settings homepage as part of their ongoing efforts to enhance the design of the app. Recent developments suggest that colorful icons may form a part of Google’s new Material Design 3 Expressive theme. However, the details of this redesign remain somewhat ambiguous ahead of the upcoming Google I/O developer conference.
In the latest beta version, Android 16 Beta 4, the anticipated updates do not bring significant changes to the user interface, but they do feature an expressive redesign specifically aimed at the Settings app. Notably, the icons on the homepage, which users see first when opening the app, are transitioning from their current gray, borderless format to a more vibrant appearance enclosed within colored circles. This change introduces a visual flair not previously present, indicating a shift towards a friendlier user experience.
However, it is important to note that not all icons will be updated at this time. For instance, the ‘Digital Wellbeing & parental controls’ entry retains its original gray icon, as it relies on the separate Digital Wellbeing app rather than the Settings app. This inconsistency implies that Google still has work to do before finalizing the expressive redesign.
Consequently, these colorful icons may not be featured in the initial stable release of Android 16; instead, they might debut in a later update or potentially in Android 17 next year. It is also worth considering that the colors and overall iconography could evolve before the final release. Currently, there appears to be no clear logic behind the selection of background colors for each icon, although some are grouped by similar hues.
What are your thoughts on the introduction of colorful icons in the Settings app? Do you like the new look or prefer the traditional grayscale? Your feedback is welcome!
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