Google Updates Material 3 with Redesigned Menus, Enhanced Expressive Components
Google is rolling out a visual refresh to menus within its Material 3 design language, introducing new color options and dynamic shape morphing for improved user experience. The updates, previewed in recent guidelines, aim to create more engaging and intuitive interactions across Android and other platforms utilizing Material 3.
Announced initially at Google I/O 2025,these menu redesigns are part of a broader effort to inject more “expressiveness” into Material 3. The changes impact how users navigate apps and settings, offering a more visually distinct and responsive interface. This update builds upon the five new expressive components-button groups, FAB menu, loading indicator, split button, and toolbars-introduced earlier this year, alongside updates to existing elements like buttons, navigation bars, and sliders.
The new menu designs feature vibrant color palettes, as demonstrated in images shared by 9to5Google, offering developers greater versatility in customizing the look and feel of their applications. A key feature is the implementation of shape morphing, where focused submenu corners become more rounded, while unfocused options appear with less curvature. Google explains this dynamic effect “adds a dynamic quality to menu interactions.”
Menus are also designed to integrate seamlessly with the recently updated split button component. the changes are intended to provide a more polished and modern aesthetic, aligning with Google’s ongoing commitment to evolving its design language. Developers can begin implementing these updated menu styles as they become available through Material Components libraries.
