Android 15 could introduce colorful app icons for notification bar
What's the story
Google is reportedly experimenting with a new design for notification icons in the status bar of its Android operating system. The tech giant is considering replacing the current monochrome notification icons with full-color app icons, similar to those seen on an Android home screen. This potential change was first identified by Android Authority in an experiment within Android 15.
Design implications
Aesthetic impact of the proposed change
The proposed change could significantly alter the aesthetics of the Android status bar. The full-color version would feature circular icons with small symbols for each app, while the monochrome version sometimes renders multiple icons nearly invisible. These design modifications would also extend to the always-on display and notifications themselves, with reports suggesting that they work well with the full-color version.
Official position
Google's stance on the potential change
As of now, Google has not confirmed whether it will implement this design change in future versions of Android. The current experimentation with full-color app icons in the status bar is part of a test phase. Users and tech enthusiasts are awaiting further updates from the company regarding this potential modification to the Android user interface.