Telegram has rolled out a major visual overhaul of its Android app, introducing an iOS-inspired "Liquid Glass" design that significantly changes the platform's look and feel. The update, available in Telegram for Android version 12.4.0, is now rolling out widely via the Google Play Store and represents the company's most substantial Android redesign in years. The update builds on interface tweaks introduced in late 2025 but extends the new aesthetic across the app’s entire main interface. Telegram says the redesign aims to modernise the user experience while aligning the visual identity of its Android and iOS platforms more closely.
At the centre of the update is the “Liquid Glass” design language, characterised by translucent, frosted UI elements, soft shadows and layered depth effects. The visual approach draws inspiration from Apple’s Liquid Glass aesthetic on iOS, though Telegram’s Android implementation applies the style more selectively.
One of the most noticeable changes is the complete removal of the traditional hamburger side menu. In its place, Telegram has introduced a persistent four-tab bottom navigation bar, offering direct access to Chats, Contacts, Settings and Profile. The bar remains visible while scrolling, mirroring navigation patterns common on iOS.
Additional navigation changes include relocating options such as New Group to a three-dot overflow menu on the chats screen. Telegram says the revised layout ensures consistent navigation across all main sections of the app, improving clarity and speed of access.
The transparent “glass-like” panels are most prominent in light mode, where backgrounds subtly reveal content beneath them. While the Android version does not fully replicate the iOS interface, the influence of Apple’s design language is clearly evident throughout the app.
Telegram first introduced full “Liquid Glass” support on iOS in early January 2026. According to the company, extending the design to Android is part of a broader effort to deliver a familiar and unified experience across devices, rather than maintaining sharply distinct platform-specific interfaces.
However, early user reactions to the redesign have been mixed. While some users have praised the cleaner layout and modern visuals, others argue the interface feels “too iOS-like” and departs from Android’s traditional Material Design principles.
Critics have also raised usability concerns, citing issues such as reduced readability due to transparency, conflicts with custom themes, and navigation habits disrupted by the removal of the side menu. Some users have called for an option to revert to the previous interface, which is not currently available.
Despite the divided response, Telegram’s Android “Liquid Glass” update underscores a broader industry trend towards cross-platform visual consistency. Whether the redesign gains widespread acceptance among Android users may depend on how Telegram balances aesthetic ambition with long-standing user preferences in future updates.
