Google is changing how you answer calls with a major Phone app redesign – Android Police

Google’s stock Phone app on Pixel smartphones is pretty minimal, focusing on the basics with an easy-to-use UI. While the Phone app still lacks some useful features found in competing dialer apps, it looks like Google is at least working on a redesigned call screen.We didn’t call for the change, but it’s appreciatedFirst spotted by Android Authority, Google is testing a new way to answer calls in Phone app version 166.0.735169223 beta. Instead of the familiar swipe up/down gesture, the new UI ditches that method in favor of a left-right sliding gesture.Currently, if you’re using Google’s Phone app ‚Äî whether on a Pixel or a device from manufacturers like Xiaomi, OnePlus, Oppo, or Honor that have adopted the stock Phone app ‚Äî you have to swipe up to answer and swipe down to reject calls. But it looks like Google is switching things up.New vs. current incoming call screen UIIn the upcoming Phone app update, the new incoming call UI will feature a slide-to-answer system, where users will swipe right to pick up and left to decline calls. This is similar to the call UI seen in some custom Android ROMs and even on Apple’s iPhone, which already uses a swipe-right gesture to answer calls. To be fair, I actually like this new call screen design. It makes declining calls easier, as the current swipe-down gesture feels a bit awkward, especially with the button placed so low in the UI. The new UI evens out the layout, making calls easier to accept or decline.Beyond this call screen redesign, Google has been steadily improving the Phone app. The March 2025 Pixel Feature Drop recently introduced real-time scam detection, and Google is also testing call filters for easier call sorting. We’re not seeing the new call UI on our devices just yet, but if Google rolls it out widely, it could change how Android users interact with calls ‚Äî whether that’s for better or worse remains to be seen.We want to hear from you! Share your opinions in the thread below and remember to keep it respectful.Your comment has not been savedthis is ‘major’? lolinteresting (and i like it) definitely. but “major”? a UI change from swiping down to sideways? don’t get me wrong, i’m a fan, but this clickbait is definitely not ‘major’.Google what is wrong with you haven’t you ever heard the saying if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. You seem have to done the same with the fingerprint option in that crap doesn’t work it works 1% of the time on my phone pixel 9 pro. You fixed the face recognition which didn’t need to be and now that only works 10% of the time so now you want to make with answering a call or declining a call by sliding swipes when I want to decline a call I just flipped my phone over and it sends them to voicemail so why would you want to change and try and fix something that isn’t brokeChange for changes sake, messing with everyone’s muscle memory üëçI would rather they just work on a google voice tie in so that i can make and manage all my calls and messages from one app easily.How about they make a decision and quit changing things every two days. Isn’t this the original way you accepted or rejected calls in Android? So long as they keep the answer/decline text on screen, I’m ambivalent about this change. I find that I never remember whether “right” means “skip” or “go ahead” intuitively. I’ve never had issues with up/down (which feels very approve/disapprove).I would rather Google focus on making the basics of the app functional and stable, you know, like actually having phone calls. Continually cannot receive calls or calls drop with ‘server unreachable ‘ so many others with Pixels I know experience the same.So turn OFF Android Auto-Updates and if you don’t want this change then decline it. You do NOT have to attend every ‘update’ you are invited to!I think this will be a good change. I’ve picked up my phone with one hand and tried to swipe down but was unable to successfully and ended up answering by mistake. I think one-handed operation will be much better.This sounds useful. Currently it’s impossible to switch apps by swiping up while the phone is ringing because the gesture instead answers the call, which is the last thing I’d want to do if I’m trying to switch apps!Awesome My unexpected browser choice on AndroidIncident reports from Waze on Google MapsPremium gets more premiumHere‚Äôs what you need to do before it shuts downIt‚Äôs closer to a stack of sticky notes than a complete digital notebookTap the current conditions and you’ll see it

Source: https://www.androidpolice.com/google-change-answer-call-screen-major-phone-redesign/