Google updates Individual Contact widget with more Material You

Abner Li | Oct 1 2023 - 11:03 am PT

Google is updating the Individual Contact Android widget it introduced earlier this year to bring more Material You flourishes.

The smallest configurations — 1×1 and 2×1 — just show a circular profile image. At 3×1, you have a pill that adds a calling and messaging shortcut, while 4×1 and 5×1 shows the contact’s name.

The oblong shape certainly fits Material You better than the previous rounded rectangle, but the loss of the iconic circle with two shortcuts at the top-right and bottom-left is somewhat unfortunate. That shape is still in use by YouTube Music’s Turntable — which unfortunately doesn’t spin — and Google Clock’s Stopwatch.

When you increase the height, you get a rectangular widget with the name in the top-left corner and the same shortcuts at the bottom. If you go wider, the Dynamic Color-themed buttons are located in the bottom-right corner. Able to take over an entire homescreen, it results in a very accessible layout that’s ideal for some users.

You’re able to quickly change the contact by holding down on the widget and tapping the pencil icon in the bottom-right corner.

Old vs. new

The updated Individual Contact widget is rolling out with version 4.17 of Google Contacts. It joins the recent spate of new features and quality-of-life improvements to the app.