# Google Phone App Might Undergo a Significant Redesign for Incoming Calls
## An Updated UI for Call Responses is on the Horizon
It seems Google is testing a major overhaul for its Phone app, potentially altering the way users respond to incoming calls. An **APK teardown** by *Android Authority* indicates that the latest beta iteration of the app (**v166.0.735169223**) hints at Google possibly moving away from the standard **up/down swipe** motion for accepting or rejecting calls. Instead, the new layout may introduce a **side-to-side swipe feature**, echoing earlier Android versions.
### Insights from the APK Teardown
APK teardowns involve dissecting an app’s code to reveal concealed or unreleased functionalities. In this instance, the teardown indicates that Google is trying out a **pill-shaped bar** positioned at the bottom of the screen for call responses. Users would be required to **swipe right to accept** and **swipe left to decline** calls. Furthermore, a **”Message” option** will be present above the bar, enabling users to send a quick text response rather than answering the call.
This alteration could contribute to Google’s wider UI enhancements anticipated with **Android 16**, marking a transition in user interaction design.
### A Nod to Previous Call Interfaces
The proposed UI design shares characteristics with earlier Android iterations, where side-to-side gestures were commonly used for call responses. Although Google has upheld the **up/down swipe** format for years, this possible change could reintroduce a nostalgic feel while enhancing user experience.
A video preview by *Android Authority* showcases the new UI functioning, emphasizing its **streamlined and user-friendly** design. However, it remains uncertain when or if this modification will be available to all users.
### Potential Implications for Android Phones
If Google proceeds with this redesign, it may influence not only **Pixel devices** but also other Android smartphones that come with the Google Phone app pre-installed. Brands such as **Motorola, Sony, and Nokia**—which depend on Google’s dialer—could experience this update, transforming how millions of users manage incoming calls.
### Prior UI Trials
This is not the first occasion Google has explored new call UI designs. In 2023, the company trialed an **Apple-inspired call interface**, complete with color-coded buttons for call acceptance and rejection. Nonetheless, that design was only assessed on a limited set of devices and never achieved a full rollout.
In the same vein, this **side-to-side swipe UI** could currently be in a localized testing stage, without any guarantees about its permanence.
### Upcoming Developments
Google has yet to formally reveal this redesign, and it remains unclear when or if it will be rolled out on a larger scale. *Android Central* has contacted Google for further details and will keep users informed as more information surfaces.
In the meantime, Android users should monitor upcoming updates to the **Google Phone app**, as this change might redefine the way calls are managed on Android devices.
Would you favor the **new side-to-side swipe** or continue with the **existing up/down swipe** method? Share your thoughts in the comments! 🚀
