When Apple’s “Liquid Glass” Look Starts Showing Up in Android Apps, and Why Google Should Care

The creeping influence of Apple’s Liquid Glass design language on Android apps is creating a frustratingly inconsistent user experience. Android has long been celebrated for its customization and distinct visual identity, making this trend toward iOS aesthetics feel like a betrayal of the platform’s core strengths. While third-party options are one thing, the real problem emerges when developers default to Apple’s design over Google’s own Material 3 Expressive guidelines, forcing a foreign feel onto Android devices.

This imitation manifests in different ways. Take the popular note-taking app Obsidian, for example. Its recent update feels unmistakably iOS, featuring circular floating buttons, a bottom floating bar, and a stark lack of color. While the app remains functionally snappy, it misses a golden opportunity to integrate with Android’s ecosystem. Simple adjustments, like reshaping those top buttons to a squished-circle form factor common in Android apps such as Google’s Screenshots, would make a significant difference. More importantly, failing to leverage the Material You color theming system is a major oversight. Users who enjoy changing their device’s color palette monthly want to see those personal accents reflected in their apps, creating a cohesive and pleasant visual experience.

The issue extends beyond mere imitation to a confusing lack of design commitment. Telegram’s overhauled Android app presents a perplexing hodgepodge. At first glance, it appears as a diluted iOS version, but a closer look reveals a messy mix where personal chats retain an older design while channel interfaces awkwardly borrow Liquid Glass elements. This inconsistency is jarring for users who expect a native Android feel. Telegram is known for its sleek animations and forward-thinking UX, but this fragmented approach undermines that reputation, leaving the app feeling distinctly out of place on the platform.

Of course, developers are not obligated to use platform-specific design systems. Creating a proprietary, cross-platform UI can be a powerful way to maintain brand consistency, as demonstrated successfully by apps like Robinhood. The frustration stems from half-measures. When a company like Telegram, which has substantial resources, chooses to partially adopt native tooling but delivers an inconsistent result, it feels like a lack of dedication to the Android user base. The experience can make one feel like they’re using a poorly adapted iPhone app, especially when the iOS version receives timely updates to align with Apple’s latest guidelines.

Ultimately, this trend points to a broader concern about the adoption of Google’s own vision. Material 3 Expressive was unveiled with bold, imaginative potential, yet nearly a year later, its most exciting concepts remain largely unrealized, even in Google’s own applications. While the economic rationale for a single, cross-platform design is understandable for businesses, it often comes at the cost of platform integrity. Android deserves more than watered-down iOS clones; it deserves apps that either fully embrace its unique design language or commit wholeheartedly to a distinctive, cross-platform identity. A little more consideration for what makes Android special would go a long way in preserving the diverse and customizable ecosystem users value.

(Source: Android Authority)