Phone by Google 246 Beta Brings the New Gradient Icon to Android

Phone by Google has a new look on Android, at least for people in the beta. Version 246 is rolling out to the beta channel today (November 5, 2026) with a redesigned gradient app icon, following the Messages icon update earlier in the week. If you spend a lot of time looking at your home screen, this is the change you'll notice.

It's a small update, and that's the point of this quick rundown. Below you'll find what the icon looks like now, what the update leaves alone, how to get the beta, and where the restored Contacts tab stands.

What the new Phone by Google icon looks like

The general shape hasn't changed. You still get the familiar handset, but it's a bit larger than in the previous version of the icon. The bigger change is in the details: the earpiece and mouthpiece now use gradients, which makes the whole design feel flatter and lighter than the old one.

The other visible difference is color. The darker blue shade that used to sit in the icon has been removed entirely, so the new version reads as brighter overall. Put the old and new icons side by side and the handset and the lighter finish are what jump out.

What changed in Phone by Google 246 (and what didn't)

Here the answer is short: the icon is the update. Version 246 includes no other changes to the app, so there are no new calling features, layout tweaks or anything else to hunt for after you install it.

That's useful to know if you're deciding whether the beta is worth the trouble. You'd be signing up for the redesigned icon and nothing more, so the app should behave the way it did before.

Moving your data to a new phone

If you're thinking about a new phone while you're tweaking apps like Phone, setup is a separate job from any icon refresh. Nothing in this beta touches data transfer, so it helps to know your options before you switch. A Transfer app can be one route, and a smart transfer approach, moving everything in one go instead of piece by piece, saves a lot of time. If you only need to copy phone file data such as photos and videos, a dedicated Transfer app is a simple way to do it.

Smart Transfer is one example. It's an all-in-one data management app for Android and iPhone, and its Clone tool moves pictures, videos, contacts, messages, apps and more between Android and iOS devices over Wi-Fi, including phones and tablets. Data transfer between platforms is covered there, Sms Transfer is handled through the same messages option, and File Transfer to people nearby or in other countries goes through its Share tools. It also includes Backup and Restore for contacts and bookmarks, which is handy if you want a copy before you change devices. For a wider look at data transfer options, compare a few before settling on one.

How to join the Phone by Google beta from the Play Store

Joining the beta happens through the Play Store. Open the Phone by Google listing and you can join the beta from there. Once you're in, version 246 should arrive as the rollout reaches your account, since it's only starting to go out to the beta channel today.

Keep in mind that a rollout isn't instant for everyone, so don't worry if the update doesn't appear right away. If you'd rather not run beta software on the app you use for calls, you can simply wait for the stable release.

Where the restored Contacts tab stands for stable users

The Contacts tab is the other thing people have been watching in Phone by Google. As of this article's publication, Google has yet to roll out the restored Contacts tab to stable users. So if you're on the stable version and wondering why it's still missing, that's the reason.

The icon update doesn't change that, since 246 includes nothing else. For now, the practical move is to keep an eye on your app updates and check back once the tab starts reaching stable devices.

The Phone by Google 246 beta is an icon refresh and nothing else: a slightly larger handset, gradient details and no dark blue. Join through the Play Store if you want it early, or wait if you'd rather stay on stable. The restored Contacts tab is still on its way for stable users.