Google Phone app might let set ‘tap’ or ‘swipe’ to answer calls

Abner Li | May 29 2025 - 5:18 pm PT

The Phone by Google app is moving closer to a redesign of the incoming call screen that lets you pick between “Single tap” or “Horizontal swipe.”

About APK Insight: In this “APK Insight” post, we’ve decompiled the latest version of an application that Google uploaded to the Play Store. When we decompile these files (called APKs, in the case of Android apps), we’re able to see various lines of code within that hint at possible future features. Keep in mind that Google may or may not ever ship these features, and our interpretation of what they are may be imperfect. We’ll try to enable those that are closer to being finished, however, to show you how they’ll look in case that they do ship. With that in mind, read on.

At the moment, you answer calls with a “Swipe up to answer” (vertical) gesture. Last year, Google tested more straightforward “Decline” and “Answer” buttons for some. These red/green circles are nearly identical to the interface on Wear OS.

Earlier this year, Phone by Google started working on a pill-shaped UI where you swipe left for Decline and right for Answer. This has yet to go live since it was enabled in March with version 166.

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L-R: Current, testing/limited rollout, enabled

Today, Phone by Google 177 (currently in beta) contains strings about settings for the “Incoming call gesture” (“answer_method”). Your options are:

<string name=”answer_method_swipe_entry”>Horizontal swipe</string>
<string name=”answer_method_tap_entry”>Single tap</string>

The design that Google was spotted testing back in September is presumably the latter option, while “Horizontal swipe” matches the upcoming pill approach.

Letting users decide which option they prefer is a nice customization and accessibility choice that will presumably appear in Phone Settings. This will presumably coincide with a broader Material 3 Expressive redesign of the app.

Thanks to JEB Decompiler, from which some APK Insight teardowns benefit.