About five years ago, Google overhauled the iconography for its core services, including widely-used tools like Drive, Meet, and Calendar. The reception was largely negative, as the redesign stripped away individual defining characteristics in favor of a uniform outline featuring Google’s signature four colors. While the silhouettes of a document or a camera were present, the lack of visual distinction made it difficult for users to differentiate apps at a quick glance.
In a win for legibility, Google is finally pivoting. The change started with a more distinct Google Maps icon a few months ago, which introduced visual depth while maintaining the brand's color palette and the ubiquitous pin design. Following reports from 9to5Google regarding a broader redesign, these new icons are now rolling out globally just ahead of the Google I/O keynote.
The updated designs are currently visible in the Gmail "app switcher" in the top right for many personal accounts. While the old icons might still persist within individual web interfaces like Drive or Calendar, several Google apps on iOS have already adopted the new look, indicating a full-scale deployment is underway.
These redesigned icons represent a major functional improvement, making it much easier to tell apps apart instantly. The new aesthetic also aligns with the redesigned 3D emoji that Google introduced last week as part of the Android 17 preview. Users who haven't seen the update yet should expect it shortly as Google completes the rollout, with further design details likely to be highlighted during the upcoming I/O event.
