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.
I am using iOS and I hate the “new” media player design it looks like html ones
Josh
If this isn't fixed it will be the final push to convince my family to switch to signal.
J
JMc
+1 for this issue, I hate the liquid glass ui, now I have to use third party telegram clients because the official one is so ugly
N
Nico C
Make Telegram Blue Again
🆁🅼🅶
I do not need an entire "kebab" with useless buttons I, personally, pressing only once a month. It is using a screen space and "burger" menu were a lot more handy. And search bar doesn't need to be always opened. Magnifying glass icon was more than enough, not to mention that always opened search bar is using screen space too. Also, why I, a premium user who is giving you money, CAN't choose whenever I need that awful and unusable re-design or not? Why I DON'T have a choice? At this point I want to either revert to older version neither download and install a FORK of the "Telegram". Say "thanks" to your "useful" GUI re-design team that you paid real money for this worst update in the "Telegram" history.
L1ke (Свят)
at least add switch back to old option, this shit is awfull
Nickolas
Absolutely correct! We don't need iOS 26 ugly design on Android. Everyone who likes iOS design already has an iPhone.
D N
Why the most useful space under thumb is occupied with profile and settings, which I have used once a few years ago? I don't get reasoning at all.
Levente Pál Szíjártó
Not only does the new interface feel out of place on Android, it also is just a poor attempt at Liquid Glass. It's just transparency and blur – no refraction or anything. Also, elements look much too small.
If you can afford to use native design on iOS, then you can also do the same on Android. Make an update based on Material Design.
Max Kanzu32
The "bar" at the main screen is just 3 useless buttons out of 4 and the last one is that main screen...
Denis
Literally hate the new design. Its ugly and user hostile. It eats screen space with buttons one uses once a year!
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If you can afford to use native design on iOS, then you can also do the same on Android. Make an update based on Material Design.