Google App Tested New Settings Layout

A card-based redesign spotted in the Google app may soon simplify how you manage your privacy and search preferences.

Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Home Organization

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Google is testing a redesigned, card-based interface for its app settings, aiming to streamline how users access and manage their privacy and search preferences. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Google recently began developing a redesigned settings page for its app in version v17.64.13. This update shifts the interface toward a card-based layout to improve how users navigate their preferences.

Why it matters

The redesign aims to make managing your digital experience more intuitive by grouping settings into clear categories like Privacy & Safety. This change potentially brings previously buried options, such as SafeSearch, directly to the main screen for easier access.

The update, discovered in app version v17.64.13, replaces the existing simple layout with a structured, card-based interface. Key features such as Search personalization and Results about you are expected to move to the primary settings menu.

The players

Google

The technology giant maintains the Google app and is responsible for its ongoing interface design updates and search privacy controls.

The details

The redesign incorporates the Material 3 Expressive design language to create a more cohesive look. By using distinct cards to organize categories like Your App Experience, the layout reduces clutter. This structure ensures that settings are not just visually grouped, but also more accessible to the average user.

Timeline

  1. September 2026: Google was observed working on the settings redesign.

  2. October 6, 2026: The analysis of the new interface design was published.

The Home Front

This development follows a broader industry trend of adopting the Material 3 Expressive design language to standardize mobile application interfaces. It marks a shift toward prioritizing user accessibility by refining how privacy and personalization settings are organized.

As you manage your family’s digital devices, keep an eye on the Google app for an update to your settings menu. Once the feature rolls out, you may want to review your current Privacy & Safety preferences to ensure they still meet your household needs.

The takeaway

The upcoming redesign simplifies navigation by surfacing important privacy tools on the main settings screen. Periodically checking your app permissions remains a best practice for maintaining your family's digital privacy standards.

Further reading

For tips on managing digital clutter and household tech, visit the Home Organization section.

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Do you prefer when apps maintain a consistent layout over frequent design updates?