In the ever-evolving world of Android apps, Google is once again stepping up its game. The tech giant is working on a redesign for its popular Files by Google app, and this time, it’s adopting the bold, new Material 3 Expressive design. This update promises a fresh look, cleaner elements, and enhanced functionality, though it’s still a work in progress. As Google pushes to refine the user experience across its ecosystem, the Files app will soon be transformed to fit a more modern and streamlined look.
Material 3 Expressive: A Glimpse Into Google’s Bold New Direction
Material 3 Expressive is the next evolution of Google’s design philosophy, focusing on user-centric visuals and smooth, intuitive interfaces. While this overhaul is set to make a splash with Android 16, some of the changes will only be visible after a Pixel Feature Drop later this year. The Material 3 design changes aren’t just about looks—they’re about providing a more cohesive, consistent experience across all of Google’s apps, including Files by Google.
As Android users eagerly await the official rollouts, a recent APK teardown of the Files by Google v1.7528 beta from Android Authority has shed light on the design tweaks currently in the works. These updates focus on major areas of the app, including the landing page, image viewer, sidebar, and even the progress bar.
What’s Changing in the Files App?
Let’s take a closer look at what’s changing in the Files by Google app. The first notable change is to the landing page. Traditionally, the app’s key action buttons, or Floating Action Buttons (FABs), have been stacked in the bottom right corner. Now, with Material 3 Expressive, the FABs for Quick Share and File Scanner have been combined into a single pill-shaped button positioned centrally. This makes the interface look cleaner and more modern, but the question remains: will it be too easy to tap the wrong option by mistake?
Similarly, the image viewer within the app is getting a similar treatment, with the Edit and Circle to Search FABs now combined into a single pill-shaped UI element. This shift to a minimalist design, while visually appealing, may take some getting used to for users who are accustomed to the older layout.
The Curvy Progress Bar: A Design That Stands Out
Another design tweak that stands out is the new curvy progress bar. For those who’ve used the Files app to install APKs or compress files into ZIP archives, you know that the progress bar is an integral part of the experience. The current progress bar is rather traditional, but with the Material 3 update, Google is introducing a smoother, curvier version. The updated progress bar will appear in the middle of the screen, offering a more aesthetically pleasing and engaging experience as you wait for processes like file compression or APK installations to complete.
Streamlined Sidebar for a Cleaner Experience
While the changes to the sidebar may not be as dramatic as those in other parts of the app, they’re worth noting. The sidebar now takes up less space on your screen, making the overall layout feel less cluttered. Additionally, the space between items on the sidebar has been increased, which may help improve readability and user flow. The “Privacy Policy” and “Terms of Service” options have also been moved to the bottom of the sidebar, stacked on top of each other for a cleaner look.
These tweaks to the sidebar contribute to a more polished and user-friendly experience, aligning with Google’s broader goal of improving design consistency across its apps. However, it’s important to keep in mind that these are still early-stage changes, and the final version of the Files app could look slightly different when it’s officially released.
The Future of Google’s Files App
As exciting as these changes are, it’s important to remember that the redesigned Files by Google app is still a work in progress. Google has made it clear that the final version of the app may differ from what we’re seeing in the beta version. However, the early signs point to an interface that’s cleaner, more intuitive, and in line with Google’s Material 3 design principles.
With Android 16 on the horizon and the Pixel Feature Drop slated for later this year, it’s likely that the redesigned Files app will make its official debut soon. Google’s Material 3 Expressive design is poised to elevate the app’s functionality while maintaining the simplicity that Android users love.
Whether these changes will help Files by Google surpass other file management apps and become the go-to solution for Android users remains to be seen. However, the redesign signals that Google is taking the user experience seriously, and we can expect more refined features and enhanced performance as the rollout continues.
