Google is enhancing its Messages and YouTube Music apps with new updates that offer more control and design improvements across Android and iOS platforms.

Google Messages Brings Back Customizable Contacts

Google Messages recently introduced a “Profile Discovery” feature, letting users show their profile photo and name when added by phone number. However, this feature automatically displays the Google account photo of the user instead of the image they might prefer, which many found limiting. Fortunately, Google seems to be addressing this with a new update.

In the recent Google Messages beta (version messages.android_20241018_01_RC00.phone_samsung_openbeta_dynamic), there’s an option to choose between a contact’s Google profile photo and a custom image saved locally on your device. By tapping on a contact’s profile picture, users can now easily swipe to switch between their Google profile photo and a custom picture. If a change is needed, the “Manage in the Contacts app” button allows users to update these images directly. This update brings much-needed flexibility, especially for contacts who don’t have a Google profile image, making the conversation list more personalized.

In addition to photo customization, Google is expected to improve privacy controls within Messages. Users might soon have more detailed options for deciding who can view their profile name and picture, adding an extra layer of customization and control over their visibility.

YouTube Music Overhauls Menus and User Interface

Meanwhile, YouTube Music is also getting a design refresh. The update brings a new floating panel style for the three-dot menu, which replaces the previous, full-width design with a floating menu that has rounded corners, similar to the main YouTube app. This subtle redesign makes the app feel cleaner and more modern, though it’s especially noticeable against YouTube Music’s darker backgrounds.

The updated design applies to all three-dot menus in YouTube Music, except for the share menu on Android, which is still in the previous style (already updated on iOS). The version 7.24 update for Android and iOS introduces these changes, with no shifts in the layout or organization of the overflow menus. This redesign enhances the app’s overall aesthetic and aligns with Google’s recent updates, such as the predictive back navigation feature.

Additionally, the “Now Playing” screen recently dropped the multi-colored glow on the “Connect to [Cast device]” button, opting for a clean black-and-white look, which minimizes distractions and brings more focus to the album art.

Main YouTube App Updates Influence YouTube Music

Earlier this month, YouTube announced several design upgrades for its main app, such as an updated bottom bar with new icons and a frosted glass effect. While it’s unclear if these specific changes will appear in YouTube Music, they hint at future design improvements. A simple icon tweak, like the Home feed button, could translate to YouTube Music, though the frosted bottom bar might require further interface updates, particularly with the mini-player. Additionally, the YouTube Music web app was one of the first to introduce the pink/magenta progress bar, which could signal more consistent design choices across platforms.

In sum, Google’s updates to both Google Messages and YouTube Music show the company’s focus on improving user experience through enhanced personalization and thoughtful design tweaks. These updates give users more control over their interactions and create a streamlined experience across Google’s ecosystem.