Tech Desk 
May 30, 2025
Google's Phone app, which comes pre-installed on many Android devices, is rumoured to be working on a new redesign that may create a new way to answer calls.
A recent update mentions that users will have the choice of tapping or swiping to accept a call, not something major, but a change that may affect accessibility and overall use.
The current settings require the user to swipe up to answer or dismiss a call. This will change in being able to flick to the right or left in the future.
In a recent beta version (177), developers spotted settings that seem to allow users to select the gestures they wish to use on incoming calls.
There is a "Single tap" option compared to a horizontal swipe option. These settings are part of an upcoming "Incoming call gesture" feature.
Earlier this year, Google was testing a new pill-shaped UI with a swipe right to accept a call and swipe left to dismiss.
To date, there has not been a public release, but it is implied that it would be the "horizontal swipe" method found in the code.
The single tap looks similar to the simple red and green buttons displayed on smartwatches and watches running Wear OS.
This update seems to be part of a broader Material You (Material 3) redesign, with a focus on making the app cleaner and more customisable.
