Gmail settings get Material 3 Expressive redesign on Android

A new look for Gmail settings

Google has begun rolling out a redesigned settings menu for Gmail on Android, according to Android Authority. The new interface applies the company's Material 3 Expressive styling, the modern design language it introduced with Android 16.

The refreshed menu replaces a long, flat list of options with rounded cards, colourful icons and larger controls. Settings are grouped into clear sections, so users no longer need to scroll through one endless page to find what they want.

What the redesign changes

Screenshots shared with Android Authority show a layout organised into areas such as notifications, inbox customisation, email preferences and writing assistance. Tools like Smart Compose, Smart Reply and Proofread now sit together under the writing assistance section.

Chat and Meet each have their own dedicated sections. Individual pages have also been reworked, with bigger touch targets and more generous spacing throughout, which should make the menu easier to use on any screen size.

How it was discovered

Android Authority first reported in October that Google was preparing a cleanup of Gmail's cluttered settings menu. At that stage the reorganised layout could be enabled manually on an Android 15 device, but it lacked the full Material 3 Expressive styling.

The publication has now received new screenshots, taken in Gmail version 2026.11.02.1020540846.Release, showing the complete visual makeover as it starts to reach users.

Availability and wider context

The rollout is happening server-side, which means updating to the latest Gmail version does not guarantee access to the new interface. Android Authority notes it has not established how widely the redesign is available, so many users may still see the old settings.

The change is not an isolated one. Similar settings redesigns have previously been spotted in the Google app, Gemini and Google Messages, suggesting a broader effort to make Google's Android apps more consistent and easier to navigate.

Why it matters

Gmail's settings had remained largely unchanged while other Google apps received visual updates, making the menu feel dated and hard to search through. Grouping related options should save time for anyone adjusting notifications or privacy controls.

Because the rollout is gradual, there is nothing users need to do beyond keeping the app updated. The new settings should appear on their own once Google enables them for their account.