How to Get the New Pinned Chats Redesign in Google Messages Beta

Google Messages is testing a redesigned pinned chats layout in the beta channel. Large circular contact photos now sit above the regular conversation list, and a floating search button appears at the bottom for easier one-handed use. The change started reaching some beta users around November 3–4, 2026.

The new look draws from iMessage’s style. Pinned conversations get more visual prominence, but you lose the ability to see the last message preview without opening the chat. Availability is still limited and controlled server-side, so not every beta user sees it at the same time.

What the New Pinned Chats Look Like

In the current stable version, pinned chats appear as normal list items at the top of your conversations, marked with a small pin icon. You can pin up to 20 chats.

The beta redesign moves them into a dedicated row of large circular contact photos at the top of the screen. Names sit underneath the photos. This pushes the rest of your conversation list lower on the page. Some users also see a floating Search button next to the Start chat pill. The button expands or collapses as you scroll.

Reports indicate the Gemini icon is no longer part of that bottom bar in the test. Google has not confirmed whether the pin limit drops or whether message previews return inside the large icons.

The rollout is gradual. Users on the same app version (reports cite 20261030_00_RC00) can see different results. Google appears to enable the feature through a server-side switch rather than a pure app update.

How to Join the Google Messages Beta

You need the beta version of Google Messages to have a chance at the new layout. Joining is free and takes about a minute.

1. Open the Google Play Store on your Android phone.
2. Search for Google Messages and open its store page.
3. Scroll down to the “Join the beta” section (or “Become a tester”).
4. Tap Join or Become a tester and confirm.
5. Wait a few minutes, then return to the Play Store and tap Update if a new version is available.
6. Open Google Messages and check for the redesigned pinned row.

If the option does not appear, make sure you are signed in with a Google account and that the app is up to date. After joining, it can take several hours for the beta build to become available. Restart the app or your phone if the new UI does not show immediately.

Some beta users reported the redesign arrived without a fresh Play Store download, confirming the server-side nature of the rollout.

How to Pin Conversations

Pinning works the same way in both the current and beta layouts.

1. Open Google Messages.
2. Long-press the conversation you want to pin.
3. Tap the pin icon that appears at the top of the screen (or choose “Pin to top” from the menu).
4. The conversation moves to the pinned area.

To unpin, long-press the chat again and select the unpin option. In the beta layout the large photo version appears only for chats you have already pinned. You can still rearrange order in some test builds by dragging the icons.

If you do not see the large photos yet, the feature simply has not been enabled for your account. Keep the app updated and check again later.

Pros, Cons, and Tips

The larger photos make favorite contacts easier to spot at a glance. The floating search button improves one-handed reach because you no longer need to scroll to the top.

The main downside is the missing last-message preview. You must open a pinned chat to see what was last said. Early testers also noted occasional choppy animations during the transition.

While you wait for wider availability, the existing pin feature still works. You can also customize individual chat themes and backgrounds in the current stable version. For related visual updates, see our guide to the new gradient icons for Google Messages, Phone, and Contacts.

Update Google Messages regularly from the Play Store. If you leave the beta later, you return to the stable channel and the new layout disappears until it ships more broadly.

Conclusion

The pinned chats redesign in Google Messages beta brings large contact photos and a floating search button to a limited group of testers. It is not yet available to everyone, and the exact final design (including any pin limit changes) is still evolving.

Join the beta through the Play Store if you want early access. Pin a few key conversations, then check the top of the app. The feature rolls out server-side, so patience is required even after you are on the latest beta build.

Sources

• 9to5Google: Google Messages redesigning pinned chats and moving search (November 3, 2026). https://9to5google.com/2026/11/03/google-messages-pinned-chats-redesign/
• Android Authority coverage of the beta rollout (November 3–4, 2026).
• Android Police and Android Central reports on user feedback and server-side availability.