Google is making it easier to find your contacts and help you keep track of messages

Google contacts app on smartphone
(Image credit: Future / James Ide)

The Google Contacts app is getting an update that'll streamline its user interface, as well as a new widget that could help you avoid missing important messages by placing them front and center.

According to code deep dive by AssembleDebug, the update includes a widget that will show messages from contacts on your phone’s home screen. This should make them harder to miss, even if notifications are off and the phone is silenced.

Users will still need to allow permission for such alerts by tapping the notification icon on the top right of the widget. This will then prompt a dialog box that will explain the feature and request permission.

It’s thought that the widget will only show messages from a single contact, and will include the options to allow users to reply or call them back.

The update could make it easier to find contacts. Changes to the Contacts home screen have removed the ‘Phone contacts’, ‘Email contacts’, and ‘Company filters’ from the top of the screen. This declutters the page, and these options have been moved to the main menu (three horizontal bars), and appear at the bottom of the screen, so they can still be accessed if needed.

Screen captures of the changes to Google Contacts from the The SpAndroid blog

(Image credit: AssembleDebug / TheSpAndroid)

Another UI change simplifies how the app shows calls and contact details from other apps like WhatsApp, and Telegram. Instead of displaying a confusing list of entries, including missed and connected calls and messages, the new update adds a 'Connected app’ section that lists the third-party apps with drop-down menus for users to pursue notifications about calls and messages.

The changes aren’t just limited to WhatsApp and Telegram contacts, as more messaging apps will also appear in this list if they are installed.

The image on the left displays the more cluttered, older interface while the image on the right displays the newer more organized look.

Google Contacts is a free, built-in app for many Android phones including the Google Pixel lineup that allows users to manage their phone numbers and contacts, so any changes will affect a significant number of users.   

It’s not known when these features will roll out – assuming Google decides to release them – and they’re currently hidden behind flags, meaning they’re unavailable for the public until implemented on Google's server side. However, you’ll likely need to have the latest version of Contacts, version 4.26 to see the features, and after that, you should receive the update as soon as it is rolled out.

While the updates aren’t exactly revolutionary, any changes making our phones easier to use are welcome. However, if you want to try something completely different then take a look at our best iPhones list. 

You may also like

TOPICS
Staff Writer, Mobile Computing

James Ide was a writer for TechRadar specializing in phones and tablets, having previously worked at The Daily Mirror since 2016, covering news and reviews.  

James loves messing with the latest tech, especially phones due to their incredibly rapid pace of development.

When not surrounded by various devices and/or tinkering with gadgets while putting them through their paces, James has a love of handheld consoles.

He is almost the textbook definition of a geek, who loves sci-fi, comics, games and of course, all things tech. If you think you have a story for him or just want to challenge him at Smash Bros, get in touch. 

Read more
A phone resting on a notebook showing the Google Messages logo
All your messages in one place: the new Besties app for Google Pixel will bring together chats from Google Messages, WhatsApp, and other apps
A phone resting on a notebook showing the Google Messages logo
Google Messages finally reverses an annoying change, making it easier to organize your contacts
A phone displaying the Google Messages logo
Google Messages could soon tell you which group chat members have read your messages - and I'm ready to snoop like never before
A phone displaying the Google Messages logo
Google Messages could finally be getting this WhatsApp-style group chat feature
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL review back handheld
This leaked Pixel upgrade for vibrations could help Android match one of the iPhone's best hidden features
Google Gemini AI
Google Gemini update makes asking the AI for assistance feel more like phoning a friend
Latest in Phones
Apple iPhone 16 Pro REVIEW
The iPhone 17 Air looks impressively slim in this new comparison image, but that just makes me more worried about the specs
Two Android phones on a green and blue background showing Google Messages
Google Messages just added a fun upgrade to one of its best chat features
Samsung Galaxy S25 on a blue deals background
Bored with your iPhone? The ‘incredible’ Samsung Galaxy S25 just hit a record-low price in the Amazon Spring Sale
Samsung Galaxy S25 from the front
The Now Bar on Samsung One UI 7 is about to get a lot more useful – and could soon match Live Activities on iOS
An iPhone running iOS 18 on a purple and blue background
iOS 18.4 could launch soon with a major upgrade to your iPhone’s notifications
Google Pixel 9a being held, from the back
The Google Pixel 9a’s mysterious delay may have just been explained
Latest in News
Millwall FC The Den
The UK's first football club mobile network is here - but you probably won't guess which team has launched it
The Witcher 4
You're probably not playing The Witcher 4 until 2027 at the earliest, per CD Projekt's latest financial update
Apple iPhone 16 Pro REVIEW
The iPhone 17 Air looks impressively slim in this new comparison image, but that just makes me more worried about the specs
Matt Murdock smiling in Daredevil: Born Again episode 5 and Kamala Khan looking stunned in The Marvels
Daredevil: Born Again episode 5 just revealed what Kamala Khan has been up to since The Marvels, and now I'm more excited for the next superhero team to appear in the MCU
Google Pixel Watch 3, 41mm and 45mm
Google says it will fix broken Wear OS 5.1 update, but why does this keep happening?
DeepSeek
DeepSeek’s new AI is smarter, faster, cheaper, and a real rival to OpenAI's models