Google Messages update rolling out new app icon with gradient design

Google Messages is getting on board with the gradient icon design, with a new app icon showing up in the latest update. Over the past year, Google has been delivering new app icons for its various apps that adopt a new gradient look. This stemmed from Google’s AI push and started with Workspace apps, later expanding to other apps including Wallet, Pixel Buds, and more. In the latest Google Messages beta (messages.android_20261030_00_RC00.phone.openbeta_dynamic), the app is getting its own gradient redesign. The new look is very clearly an updated version of the Messages icon, but does share parts of the the basic look of Google Chat’s gradient icon. Colors are familiar, with a bit of a purple color in the gradient “glow” section, and with the darker blue now moved to the back of the design. This new icon will presumably make its way into the stable track soon, but it’s only in this latest beta update for the time being. What do you think of the new look? Follow Ben: Twitter/X, Threads, Bluesky, and Instagram FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.