Google Discover redesign rolling out on Android 12, drops cards & descriptions [Update: Back]

Abner Li | Jun 22 2021 - 8:22 am PT

Starting on Android 12, Google is rolling out the next big redesign of Discover. This visual revamp of the feed was first introduced on iOS and is now coming to Android.

Update 6/22: After disappearing in the past month, the Discover redesign on Android 12 is back with the Google app 12.24 beta yesterday. This includes the left-aligned Google logo and the lack of cards/descriptions for stories.

The feed to the left of the Pixel Launcher is mostly unchanged, though the Assistant Snapshot shortcut in the top-right corner no longer has a bright dot behind it.

Meanwhile, the Google Search app features an outlined search bar with this specific tweak also appearing on Android 11.

Update 5/11: If the Discover redesign disappeared for you with the latest Google app beta (10.18), Force stop the application from the App info screen. This should eventually restore the revamp to the left of the homescreen and the Google app.

Original 4/29: Stories in the Discover feed are no longer placed in individual cards. They are, instead, laid directly on a flat gray or white background in an approach that does remove padding but ends up being quite generic. Additionally, Google is not really taking advantage of that gained space, as articles no longer feature the first sentence.

Without descriptions, all you get now is the cover image, headline, and publication name/logo. This provides much less context before opening an article.

Elsewhere, the overflow menu in the bottom-right corner has a new icon, which is accompanied by share and “heart” buttons. These changes apply to both the Google app and the feed to the left of most Android homescreens. When you’re at the top of Discover on the Pixel Launcher, you’ll see even less of your wallpaper. This description and card-less design has been available on the iOS Google app for quite some time now.

Other changes see YouTube videos better distinguish the Creator, while content from the same site is displayed as a list underneath the main entry.

This new Discover look started earlier this month, when Google made its logo left-aligned rather than centered. Meanwhile, the Snapshot shortcut is placed in a rather bright circle next to your profile avatar. Taken together, it’s quite a jarring initial appearance.

As of today, only Google app beta users on Android 12 are encountering this Discover redesign. Be sure to refresh the feed for changes to take effect. It does not appear on phones running earlier versions of Android and could be tied to the upcoming operating system’s rumored visual overhaul.