Google's Phone app begins reverting one of its most controversial changes

While Google often experiments with design changes in its apps, it surprised Android users by removing the Contacts tab from the Phone app last year. Fast forward to a few days ago, when we exclusively revealed that the tab would return to the bottom bar, and it looks like that day is finally here, at least for some users.

A couple of users on the GApps and Leaks Telegram page report seeing the Contacts tab at the bottom of the page. While we don’t know which versions of the Phone by Google app those users were running, we could surface the bottom bar tab in the latest beta (version 240.0.98) running on a Pixel 9.

However, we couldn’t see it on a couple of other Android phones at our disposal, even with the beta installed. This suggests a gradual rollout is in progress. You can try your luck bringing back this elusive Contacts tab by sideloading the latest public beta of the Phone app from APKMirror.

If you’re on the stable version of the Phone by Google app, you’ll only see two bottom bar tabs. While the Contacts option is still accessible in the current interface, it’s hidden behind the sidebar/hamburger menu in the top-left corner. There’s also a Contacts chip directly below the search bar, but it doesn’t give you a full list. Instead, it filters your recent calls to show only calls to and from people saved in your contacts list.

While the appearance of Contacts between the Home and Keypad tabs is encouraging, it’s difficult to say when it will be widely available, as it’s currently limited to the latest Phone app beta.