How to Revert the Android Dialer App to the Old UI After the Latest Google Phone Update

Google has been implementing various visual updates within its ecosystem in accordance with Material Design 3, and the Google Phone app on Android is the newest to receive a rebranding. The updated version includes a new user interface, fluider animations, and updated gestures, making the dialer app look newer. On paper, this all sounds great, but in reality, it hasn't been quite so smooth for most users.

Rather than being embraced as an improvement to quality of life, this update has ruffled feathers and drawn ire from Android users across the globe. Why? The revamp changes how individuals interact with one of the most fundamental apps available on their smartphones the dialer. From answering calls to reaching contacts, the new alterations feel less intuitive to many users, particularly those who are less technically inclined.

Why Are Users Angry With the New Google Phone Update?

Social media sites such as Twitter (X), Reddit, and Instagram have been filled with memes, jokes, and frustrations about the update. Android users developed a muscle memory of how the dialer worked for years, and this sudden change threw them off.

Here are the key reasons why users dislike the new UI:

• Changed Call Pickup Gestures: The way you answer or reject a call has been redesigned, leading to accidental hang-ups.

• Missing Easy Contact Access: The contacts list no longer shows up as quickly as before, which is frustrating for people who rely on it.

• Steeper Learning Curve: The fresh UI feels less intuitive and requires users to relearn basic functions.

• Trouble for Parents and Elderly Users: Many parents and older people are struggling to adapt, making even a simple phone call unnecessarily complicated.

Clearly, while Google’s intentions were to modernize the Phone app, the execution has alienated a section of its core audience.

How to Revert the Google Dialer App to the Old UI

The good news is that you don’t have to stick with the new design if you don’t like it. Android allows you to roll back to the old UI of the Phone app by uninstalling updates and disabling auto-updates. Follow the step-by-step guide below:

Step 1: Disable Auto-Updates

1. Open the Google Play Store on your smartphone.

2. Tap on your profile icon at the top right corner.

3. Go to Settings > Network Preferences > Auto-update apps.

4. Select Don’t auto-update apps to prevent the Phone app from updating automatically again.

Step 2: Revert to the Factory Version

1. In the Google Play Store, search for Google Phone.

2. Open the app page and tap Uninstall updates.

3. This will roll the app back to its factory version with the old interface.

Step 3: Clear Cache and Data

1. On your phone, go to Settings > Apps > Phone.

2. Tap on Storage and select Clear Cache and Clear Data.

3. This ensures no leftover files from the newer version interfere with the old UI.

That’s it! Once you open the Phone app again, you will see the familiar interface you’ve always used.

Use Your OEM's Dialer App

If you don't want to turn off auto-updates which is not usually the best idea for app security there is an alternative. Most Android phones, such as Samsung, OnePlus, Xiaomi, and Realme, ship with their own OEM dialer apps. You just make that app your default Phone app, and bypass Google's new UI entirely.

This ensures that you do not have to concern yourself with updates collapsing functionality or changing your call experience again.

The recent refresh to the Google Phone app might appear sleek and contemporary, but it demonstrates how small design choices can make a significant difference to usability. For a dialer app as essential as the one from Google, even small tweaks can mislead users and provoke anger. Thankfully, Android's nature makes it easy for you to return to the old UI or switch to your OEM's dialer with minimal inconvenience.

If you and your parents are having a problem with the new update, attempt the above steps and restore the familiarity of the old dependable interface. Until Google offers custom options, this is the best way to have your calling experience as simple and user-friendly as possible.