Google Contacts removes ‘Recently Added’ section and prepares for new ‘Pixel Besties’ widget
Top 3 Key Points:
- Google Contacts has removed the “Recently Added” section from the Highlights tab.
- The upcoming “Pixel Besties” widget will allow users to view recent interactions and memories with their favorite contacts.
- The update simplifies the user interface but might limit the visibility of recently added contacts.
In recent updates to Google Contacts for Android, the app has made a few significant changes, including the removal of the “Recently Added” section from the Highlights tab. Initially introduced in late 2022, the Highlights tab featured a section displaying your most recently added and viewed contacts. However, with the latest update, Google has decided to streamline this feature by removing the “Recently Added” section altogether.
The Highlights tab still includes the Favorites grid, birthday reminders in the “For you” section, and a “Recents” area that now indirectly serves the function of showing newly added contacts. When you create a new contact, it will automatically appear in the “Recents” list after being saved. You can still find the specific “Added” date for any contact at the bottom of their details page.
This change is part of the Google Contacts version 4.38.x update, might have been made to simplify the user interface. It also could be due to the fact that the “Recently Added” section only displayed contacts created locally on your device and didn’t account for contacts added via the web.
In addition to these updates, Google is also working on a new feature called the “Pixel Besties” widget. This widget is designed to help users stay connected with their favorite contacts by displaying recent communications and shared memories. The widget, which will support up to seven starred contacts, seems to build on the existing Individual contact widget, expanding its functionality to provide a more comprehensive view of your interactions with your favorite people. However, the final design and complete features of this widget are still under development.
These changes indicate Google’s ongoing efforts to refine the user experience in Google Contacts, making it more intuitive and focused on what matters most to users.