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.
Unofficial clients called unofficial for a reason. Missing features, potential of getting compromised, compability issues here and there
光🎎
Yes
january, whatever.
1. This does not change the fact that these elements already appear in Google applications and design code. 2. Google Pixel’s market share is negligible compared to other vendors, yet it is the only brand that fully utilizes Material Design 3 in its system.
Well, then don't use Telegram. they aren't going to rush to revert everything to outdated and obsolete guidelines that don't work on today's massive phone screens just because you can't bring yourself to download a client with a hamburger menu (like exteraGram — which is just a fork, not a standalone client built on TDLib), or use Material Design 3 (Monogram), or stick with the obsolete Material Design 1 that isn't suited for these giant phones (Telegram X—which is recognized as an official client, just an alternative one)
Gethe Nnorpeq
It used to look fine, now it looks bad because of the redesign. Moreover, the tray is no longer visible.
Missing features, potential of getting compromised, compability issues here and there
2. Google Pixel’s market share is negligible compared to other vendors, yet it is the only brand that fully utilizes Material Design 3 in its system.