Google Reverses Course, Brings Back Contacts Icon to Phone by Google App's Navigation Bar

For Pixel users who have been missing the Contacts icon since Google updated the Phone by Google app in July 2025, there's some welcome news. The tech giant has apparently changed its mind and returned the Contacts icon to the navigation bar within the app.

Google Reverses Course, Brings Back Contacts Icon to Phone by Google App's Navig

Prior to this update, accessing your contacts required a multi-step process involving opening the Phone app, tapping the hamburger menu, and then selecting Contacts. While there were alternative methods, this was the most widely known approach, albeit a somewhat lengthy and inconvenient one.

Now, if you're running the v40.0.986973448 beta version of the Phone by Google app on your Pixel device, you can once again find the Contacts icon at the bottom of the Phone app's screen. This is essentially a return to the app's previous user interface, which many users will likely appreciate for its simplicity.

To access the beta version and enjoy the Contacts icon's reinstatement, follow these steps:

1. Open the Google Play Store on your Android device.

2. Find the listing for the Phone by Google app.

3. Scroll down until you see the "Join the beta" section and tap on it.

Keep in mind that you'll need to do this for each Google app whose beta you want to join. If you don't see the beta option, it could mean the beta is full, closed, or not available for that particular app.

Subscribing to app betas can provide early access to new features, so consider joining the Phone by Google beta to stay ahead of the curve.