Google’s endless and superfluous Android UI tweaks are the bane of my tech life

There’s a running joke among enthusiasts that buying a Google product is like entering yourself into a permanent beta. But between unpleasant UI changes or unpredictable results with products that should be tried and tested, I’m just tired of having to figure out Google’s latest interface tests when I just want to get the job done.

Google may be the de facto guardian of how you use the web, but without recourse to the end customer, rampant on-the-fly changes could turn it into a dictator. The most recent experiment was to switch to Orange hyperlinks for search results This was the final straw, something had to give.

There’s a good reason why Apple’s ecosystem enjoys such high levels of loyalty. Keeping things cohesive, simple, and consistent is an art that Apple has mastered. Google’s approach, on the other hand, makes users feel like they’re testing functionality rather than a polished final product. Take Google’s most important product, Google search, as an example.

It’s an essential tool, but Google treats its interface as a playground for experimentation. Recently switched to orange search links? Sure, color might be easier on the eyes, but it’s an unnecessary adjustment that might confuse less tech-savvy users.

Google Photos sheds more light on this issue. Lately, I’ve found myself searching for my photo albums, now two folders buried deep in the Collections tab. I found out about this change when my mom called in a panic and couldn’t find her vacation photos. I’m sure many others have had similarly frustrating experiences.

To make matters worse, Google has tampered with one of Photos’ standout features: Memories. This is my go-to tool for resurrecting forgotten snaps with just one tap. Now? It is being renamed and hidden under the same Collections tab. Why complicate something that already works well?

It doesn’t end with Google Photos. Earlier this year, Play store A drawing-based redesign was performed. While the lighter layout is arguably an improvement, repositioning the search bar from the top to the bottom of the screen feels counterintuitive, especially for long-time users. To make matters worse, there is a Quickly start your search for solutionsbut no one will find out about it unless someone tells them. Google seems to have forgotten that not every Android user is keen on keeping up with the latest UI trends. For the average user, such a significant change adds a steep learning curve with minimal reward.

The confusion isn’t limited to apps. Android’s Quick Settings menu is the oldest and newest victim of Google’s haphazard design philosophy. Small tiles, big tiles, we’ve seen them all. The tap-and-hold feature is gone, and mobile data and Wi-Fi toggles have been merged into a clunky Network tab. It’s a confusing decision that adds friction to everyday tasks, such as wanting to turn off mobile data. What was once a one-click process now involves multiple clicks. I’d love to hear the thought process — or lack thereof — behind it.

Of course, not all change is bad. For example, the recent move of the “Magic Rewrite” button out of the text box helps improve visibility. But it does raise the question – why didn’t anyone notice this basic interface issue during development?

And then there are Volume panel in Android 15. In theory, this is a nice usability upgrade, but I’m not a big fan of the transition from primarily vertical bars to horizontal bars that offer finer control. Swiping vertically to control volume is easier.

This cycle of rebranding, reinventing from the ground up, and reworking isn’t just limited to functionality, it affects apps as well. I won’t bore you with the details, but between Google Pay and Wallet, Meet and Duo and Chat, Fitbit and Google Fit, Google might as well publish a dedicated guide to inform people of the changes.

Is progress a good thing? Obviously. But for every progressive tweak, Google seems to have made five interface changes that will make you scratch your head and wonder: Why? If you’re here reading this, you’re already one step ahead of the vast majority of people who don’t know about Google’s latest whims and fantasies. For me, I just wish Google would slow down the pace of change, take a step back, and build a fully finished product instead of constantly testing it.