Google Home Android app reverted to old UI after update

[Gk1984]

After updating Google Home to version 3.2.1.7 today, the app UI reverted to the old UI design (no favorites tab, less convenient control buttons, etc.). I was able to temporarily restore the new UI redesign by clearing the cache in the Google app, Google Home app, and restarting. But shortly after launching Google Home, it reverted again. 

I am part of the preview beta testing group and have participated in the dogfood editions for quite some time. I feel like this is a disappointing step backwards to remove the redesign from us. 

If it helps, I'm using a Samsung Galaxy S22+

[Alphabet]

This happened to me yesterday as well.

[drs155]

The exact same situation for me on a Note 10+.  Just started yesterday and very disappointing after months of no issue dog food version.

[MplsCustomer]

A few other customers who are also on the preview beta version of the Google Home app have reported in this forum that their Google Home app is shifting back and forth between the new version and the old version. Withdrawing from the preview beta version seems to fix this. This does not seem to be happening to customers on the regular version of the Google Home app.

[Gk1984]

Will withdrawing from that remove access to the script editor? 

[MplsCustomer]

@Gk1984 

I don't know; I withdrew my request for the beta/preview version after waiting for a month last year, and have not yet used scripts.  I'm just passing on that a few other customers reported having their version flip back and forth when they were on the beta/preview version.

[drs155]

That lasted exactly five minutes. It already reverted back to the old version without favorites. Come on Google...you're better than that.

[MplsCustomer]

@drs155 

FYI: something on Google Nest's servers determines when each device switches to the new version; it was nothing to do with when we update our Google Home app. One of our iPhones and our iPad switched at different times about 10 days after we had all last updated the Google Home app. In fact, my iPhone switched in between back-to-back logins to the app. Our other iPhone has STILL not switched to the new version. Other customers in this forum have reported the same thing, and Google Nest Support comments in this forum indicate this is how it works. So you might stay on the old version for awhile. Who knows? It's up to Google Nest. 

[drs155]

Thanks.  I went in, left the  public preview again, force stopped the app, cleared cache, uninstalled, rebooted, and re installed. So far so good, but it's crazy to have to go through all these steps. I hope you're right.

[drs155]

This seems to work for now, but I'll keep checking today.  It sucks that this only happened to those testing, but it did say "beta" so......

[drs155]

Fwiw..two days without issue after doing the above.  

[Juni]

Hi folks,

Thanks for the help here, MplsCustomer

drs155, glad that worked for you. Continue to observe it and let us know if you need further help.

Alphabet and Gk1984, have you had the chance to try the steps provided by drs155? Let us know if it worked for you.

Regards,

Juni

[Gk1984]

I have not withdrawn from the preview as I don't want to interrupt my ability to assist and use the preview builds/features. I'm also able to use the new script editor via website and concerned that withdrawing would remove my access to this - I asked if I would lose access but no one has answered confidently enough about this. 

Until I know I won't lose the script editor, since I've written a few useful automations already, I'm not withdrawing to see if that works. I'd appreciate if Google simply fixed whatever is happening here. 

[Gk1984]

I just happened to open the Home app and I once again got the new UI. But I have not had much time to see if it's temporary. It would be reassuring to know whether or not Google has addressed this or not. 

EDIT: Nevermind. While I could see the new UI, only Favorites populated any devices. All other tabs remained blank. Force closing the app and re-opening it reverted back to the old UI. 

[Alphabet]

Hey @Juni,

I think I'm going to wait for the next Google Home App update. Previous versions had a "-dogfood" appended to them, such as "3.1.x.x-dogfood". This one is just "3.2.1.7" which seems like a stable build accidentally pushed to beta users. If this persists for a while a might try the above mentioned steps, but like @Gk1984, I don't want to loose access to the script editor.

[CPR]

I'm a beta tester and my Home app also reverted to the previous old UI after it was updated to version 3.2.1.7. I uninstalled, rebooted then reinstalled, and the new UI came back for a few minutes then reverted back to old UI.

[Gk1984]

As of yesterday afternoon and so far today, it seems to be on the new UI now. I was hesitant to say it's "fixed" as it had briefly gone to the new UI before and then reverted to the old again. 

However, this morning I did notice a yellow beaker glass icon in the top right corner - I hadn't noticed that previously. The yellow color makes it stand out, so I feel like this is new. Tapping it confirms I'm in the preview. So I'm hoping this means it's fixed. I'll respond again if this is not the case. Thanks for the help. 

[drs155]

If the good news continues I'll opt back in.

[Alphabet]

Same! This morning I have the new UI again along with the yellow beaker. I never left the preview. Hopefully this stays.

[EdmondB]

Hi there,

Checking in should you still have further questions here. Let us know by replying to this thread.

Thanks,
Edmond

[CPR]

The new UI came back this morning and I also noticed the yellow icon for public preview.

[drs155]

I re installed the app after rejoining the public preview and see the same yellow "beaker" icon, along with what appears to be a fully functional public preview version. Hopefully, this stays stable.

[EdmondB]

Hey everyone, 

Some Google Home app users on the latest version may have experienced a regression that reverted them back to the previous interface; the issue has since been resolved.

Let us know if the issue still persist.

Thanks,
Edmond

[drs155]

Seems to have remained stable. Thanks Google.

[Juni]

Hi folks,

As we got our resolution here, I'm going to mark this one as resolved. Please feel free to open up a new thread if you need assistance.

Cheers,

Juni