In the latest update of Google Messages beta, version v20250811, users have encountered an unexpected quirk: the appearance of multiple app icons in their app drawer. This issue, currently affecting only those testing the beta version, has led to some users seeing two or even three identical icons for the messaging app.
Understanding the Bug
The root of this peculiar phenomenon lies in a recent change made by Google, which introduced an android.intent.category.LAUNCHER intent filter in an additional activity. While it remains unclear whether this addition was intentional, the outcome is evident—beta users are now greeted with duplicate app icons, all launching the same Google Messages application.
For those who prefer the stability of the standard version, Google Messages serves as the default messaging app on Android devices. Most users tend to stick with the stable release that comes pre-installed on their phones. However, enthusiasts and early adopters often opt for the beta version to explore new features ahead of the general public. This adventurous spirit, while rewarding, does come with the risk of encountering bugs like the current icon duplication.
Interestingly, some users have reported even more than two icons. A Reddit user, known as bubbadan07, experienced the rare misfortune of having three identical Google Messages icons cluttering their app drawer. After initially facing the two-icon issue following an update, the user attempted to resolve it by uninstalling and reinstalling the app, only to end up with an additional icon.
Despite attempts to replicate this three-icon bug, it appears that the issue may not be universally experienced. The package name for both the beta and stable versions of Google Messages remains the same, indicating that the extra icons are not a result of a mix-up with the stable release.
As this bug resides within the beta branch of Google Messages, users can anticipate a fix in the forthcoming beta update. The hope is that this glitch will be resolved before it transitions into the stable version, ensuring a seamless experience for all users.
