Android app should follow Material Design, not iOS patterns
The recent Android update (12.4.*) introduces design elements directly ported from iOS, creating a non-native experience that ignores platform conventions and reduces usability.
Core issues:
Platform-inappropriate navigation
The fixed bottom tab bar (Chats / Contacts / Settings / Profile) wastes screen space on rarely used sections. Settings and Profile are accessed only occasionally, yet occupy permanent space. This reduces chat visibility and forces extra scrolling—especially problematic on smaller screens and during one-handed use.
Material Design addresses this with navigation drawers or contextual bottom sheets, showing relevant actions only when needed instead of always displaying everything.
Reduced information density
New borders, spacing, and visual effects in chat lists add visual clutter without functional benefit. Users scan dozens of chats regularly—extra noise slows this down and reduces the number of visible conversations per screen.
Inconsistency with platform expectations
Android users expect Material Design patterns because they are consistent across the OS and well-designed apps. Deviating from these creates cognitive friction and makes Telegram feel like a lazy cross-platform port rather than a thoughtfully designed Android app.
Why this matters:
iOS enforces Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines through App Store review. Android does not mandate Material Design, but this freedom should be used to create better native experiences—not to copy-paste iOS designs that don’t fit the platform.
Suggestion:
Design the Android UI according to Material Design principles. Use platform-appropriate navigation patterns, respect Android’s visual language, and optimize for different screen sizes and interaction models expected by Android users.
The desktop and web versions also deserve platform-native designs or their own Telegram style rather than a universal iOS aesthetic.
12.3.1 is the last sane Telegram release for Android which I will continue to use unless it stops working completely. Don't want the idiotic iOS UI in my Android thank you very much.
Yao Delali Gabriel DANTSE
Very nice, I'll try it
Joe Schraube
Exactly this. The new UI is a massive step backward for Android usability. Huge Waste of Screen Space: On smaller mobile devices and with gesture navigation enabled, this permanent bottom bar is a complete waste of valuable screen real estate.Blatant iOS Copy: Forcing Apple’s design patterns onto Android makes no sense. We don't need permanent shortcuts for "Settings" or "Contacts" taking up space 24/7.Give Us Choices: We need the hamburger menu back, or at the very least, a toggle in the settings to hide this bottom bar completely or fully customize the tabs. Please stop forcing iOS designs on Android users. Give us our screen space back!
Huge Waste of Screen Space: On smaller mobile devices and with gesture navigation enabled, this permanent bottom bar is a complete waste of valuable screen real estate.Blatant iOS Copy:
Forcing Apple’s design patterns onto Android makes no sense. We don't need permanent shortcuts for "Settings" or "Contacts" taking up space 24/7.Give Us Choices: We need the hamburger menu back, or at the very least, a toggle in the settings to hide this bottom bar completely or fully customize the tabs.
Please stop forcing iOS designs on Android users. Give us our screen space back!