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.
It is absolutely horrible. Apple design is not wanted by everyone. It's not a high standard that should be followed by everyone. Seriously, if i wanted iOS I would have bought one
Mr.Edward
I completely agree with the author. If I wanted an iOS experience, I would have bought an iPhone. Telegram for Android should feel like an Android app, not a poor imitation of another OS. Please bring back the native design.
Rith in Korea
This interface update is a bug in presenting no ergonomic advantage and not having an option to deny it. Getting away from this style design was a primary reason why several friends switched off from iPhone to Android specifically to have a better experience that this update takes away.
Look ugly by itself, side by side with material 3 apps is terrible!
Aimad Eddine
Totally Agreed. I just got the new UI and it’s honestly awful and distracting. It felt so unfamiliar that I thought my Telegram had been hacked. The iOS-style design simply doesn’t belong on Android, it ignores platform conventions and makes the app less comfortable to use. Please bring back the native Android UI or at least give users a choice.
J
Jan .
Uninstalled and got Telegram X. Pure garbage of update, nobody asked for this and solves NOTHING. Bring back the previous design, this is not iOS.
Oɾαƈɭҽ Sρԋιɳx
Absolutely agree, it uses too much space for stuff I don't use frequently or just for the sake of "looking nice" (which it doesn't). Plus it's bugged! I can't see what I'm typing below an attachment, I see either just blank field or a couple of random symbols from what I wrote, and I can no longer attach something after I started to type a message. Earlier there was a button for that, but not anymore. Moved to Nekogram for the time being.
O
Oldi
Yes, I completely agree. Please bring back the old look, or integrate an option where users can decide for themselves (without paying extra for premium). It doesn't just look like iOS, it looks ugly, stupid, and completely out of place. As we say in Germany, "Gewollt aber nicht gekonnt - trying but failing." I've read the numerous posts on Reddit and elsewhere, and they all make sense. Previously, it was sensibly and appropriately positioned; now it wastes valuable space. Displaying a menu that you barely open once a month is just... well, let's just say it's ridiculous.
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option where users can decide for themselves (without paying extra for
premium). It doesn't just look like iOS, it looks ugly, stupid, and
completely out of place. As we say in Germany, "Gewollt aber nicht
gekonnt - trying but failing." I've read the numerous posts on Reddit
and elsewhere, and they all make sense. Previously, it was sensibly and
appropriately positioned; now it wastes valuable space. Displaying a
menu that you barely open once a month is just... well, let's just say
it's ridiculous.