Google has rolled out a significant redesign of its ubiquitous web app launcher, introducing a cleaner, more expressive interface powered by Material 3 Expressive. The update brings a dedicated “Your favorites” section, intuitive drag-and-drop customization, and a refined layout that adapts seamlessly to light and dark themes. If you’ve ever clicked the grid icon in Gmail, Drive, or Calendar to jump between services, you’ve likely already encountered this refreshed experience—part of Google’s broader push toward cohesive, user-centric design across its ecosystem.
Credit: Google
What’s New in the Google Web App Launcher Redesign?
The most noticeable change is the introduction of a labeled “Your favorites” section at the top of the launcher. Housed in a softly rounded container that dynamically adjusts to your browser’s theme—lighter for light mode, darker for dark mode—this area now prominently displays up to nine of your most-used apps. Unlike the previous version, which blended all shortcuts into a single scrollable list, this new hierarchy makes your go-to tools instantly accessible without scrolling.
Beneath this curated favorites hub lies the full roster of Google services, still horizontally scrollable but now visually separated from your primary apps. This two-tier structure reduces cognitive load: your essentials are front and center, while the rest remain available but out of the way. The launcher itself is also slightly taller by default, giving icons more breathing room and improving touch targets on mobile devices—a subtle but meaningful boost for mobile readability.
Drag-and-Drop Editing Finally Gets a Visual Cue
For years, power users could rearrange apps in the web launcher by simply dragging icons—but there was no obvious indication that editing was even possible. You either knew the trick or didn’t. Google has finally addressed this discoverability gap with a small but effective addition: a pencil icon in the top-right corner of the “Your favorites” container.
Clicking it triggers a familiar “jiggle” animation (think iOS home screen editing), signaling that you’re in customization mode. From there, you can drag apps in and out of your favorites, reorder them, or remove ones you rarely use. This explicit affordance aligns with modern UX best practices, making the feature accessible to casual users while preserving the efficiency longtime users expect.
Why Material 3 Expressive Matters for Web Interfaces
This redesign isn’t just a cosmetic refresh—it’s a strategic implementation of Material 3 Expressive, the latest evolution of Google’s design language. While the 2023 Material You update focused on personalization through color and typography, Material 3 Expressive emphasizes emotional resonance, dynamic shapes, and adaptive components that respond to context.
In the web app launcher, this translates to softer corners, more intentional spacing, and visual layering that creates depth without clutter. The expressive variant also allows for greater personality—something often missing in utilitarian enterprise tools. By bringing this aesthetic to a high-traffic utility like the app launcher, Google signals that even functional interfaces deserve thoughtful, human-centered design. For users spending hours in Google Workspace, these micro-moments of polish add up to a more pleasant, less fatiguing experience.
How This Update Improves Daily Productivity
At first glance, a launcher redesign might seem minor. But consider how often you use it: switching from Docs to Meet, jumping from Calendar to Tasks, or opening Drive mid-email. These transitions happen dozens of times a day for many professionals. Streamlining that interaction—even by a fraction of a second—yields real productivity gains over time.
The new favorites grid eliminates guesswork. Instead of scanning a long list or remembering icon positions, your core apps are always in the same predictable spot. Combined with the clearer editing mode, you can now tailor the launcher to match your actual workflow, not Google’s default assumptions. This level of control is especially valuable for enterprise users managing complex toolchains across Gmail, Sheets, Chat, and beyond.
Moreover, the taller default height and improved icon spacing enhance accessibility. On smaller laptop screens or tablets, misclicks are less likely, and the visual hierarchy helps users with attention or cognitive differences navigate more confidently. In an era where digital well-being is increasingly prioritized, these inclusive design choices reflect Google’s commitment to building tools that work for everyone.
Behind the Scenes: A Step Toward Unified Cross-Platform Experiences
This web launcher update doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It mirrors changes already seen in Android’s app drawer and Google’s mobile apps, suggesting a coordinated effort to unify the user experience across devices. Whether you’re on a Chromebook, Windows PC, or iPad, the logic and layout of accessing Google services will feel increasingly consistent.
That consistency reduces friction when switching contexts—say, moving from a desktop research session to a mobile team huddle. It also simplifies onboarding for new users, who no longer need to relearn navigation patterns across platforms. For IT administrators and educators managing diverse device fleets, this standardization lowers support overhead and training costs.
Critically, Google is achieving this without sacrificing platform-specific strengths. The web version retains its lightweight, browser-native feel, while still echoing the motion and aesthetics of its mobile counterparts.
What’s Next for Google’s Interface Evolution?
While this launcher refresh is rolling out widely as of January 2026, it’s likely just the beginning. Google has hinted at deeper integration between its AI assistants and app navigation—imagine your launcher proactively surfacing Docs you’re collaborating on or highlighting unread Spaces in Chat based on urgency. Material 3 Expressive’s flexible architecture is designed to accommodate such dynamic content, suggesting future iterations could become even more context-aware.
For now, though, the focus remains on clarity, control, and calm. In a world of noisy interfaces and attention-grabbing notifications, Google’s decision to refine a humble utility like the app launcher speaks volumes. It’s a quiet acknowledgment that the foundation of great software isn’t flashy features—it’s the everyday interactions done right.
If you haven’t seen the update yet, keep an eye on the grid icon in your next Google session. Chances are, your favorites are waiting in a sleeker, smarter home.
