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 don't understand why this change was made at all. It's more cluttered, less intuitive, and trivializes a lot of customization through Themes. I've stopped using the Android version because it's so annoying to navigate now.
I simply suggested disabling the GLASS effect itself 🤷
I really wish telegram had Material 3 Expressive instead
Leo
Please, at least add an option to switch to the old theme
admin
There is a bug in it, when I click on the channel to read the information in the network, it will still show unread, which makes me very upset.😭
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Okay, the new design is terrible.. I'm going to look for a way to remove this update and download the previous one with a comfortable interface (please return it)
A
Alex
The Android app needs Material 3 Expressive design! The iOS design is currently terrible.
january, whatever.
it's google chats app btw with material 3, and you still complain about telegram
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I really wish telegram had Material 3 Expressive instead