Google App Icon Gets a Bigger Update on Android
▼ Summary
– Google has released beta version 17.0 of its Android app, which slightly increases the size of the app’s ‘G’ icon.
– This change corrects a previous icon shrinkage from a May update and aligns the Search icon with others like Gemini and Photos.
– The stable version for most users remains 16.49, while several test versions (16.50-16.52) were released over the holidays.
– Most Google app updates are implemented server-side, not solely through these version releases.
– First-party app updates for Android and iOS have resumed after the holiday period.
Google has initiated a subtle yet noticeable visual adjustment for its core search application on Android devices. The latest beta iteration, version 17.0, features a slightly enlarged app icon, where the familiar multicolored gradient ‘G’ now occupies more space within its circular boundary. This refinement directly addresses feedback from a previous design update in May, which had the unintended effect of making the icon appear smaller. The refreshed icon now aligns more consistently with the visual style of other key Google apps like Gemini, Home, and Photos, bringing a more uniform look to the company’s suite of mobile tools.
While the stable channel for most users is still on version 16.49, Google has been actively testing subsequent builds with beta participants. Several incremental updates, including versions 16.50 through 16.52, were distributed to testers over the recent holiday period. It’s important to note that many functional changes are deployed via server-side updates rather than being tied exclusively to new app versions from the Play Store. Based on the typical release cadence, the stable rollout of version 17.0, complete with the icon modification, is anticipated to occur within the coming week.
This icon tweak coincides with a broader resumption of update activity across Google’s portfolio. Following the seasonal slowdown, a number of the company’s first-party applications for both Android and iOS platforms received updates starting this past Monday. This signals a return to the regular development and release schedule as the new year progresses.
(Source: 9to5 Google)
