Google Messages beta bugs confuse Galaxy phone app drawers

There is a new, albeit comical, bug impacting the user experience for Samsung Galaxy phone users who are enrolled in the Google Messages beta program. According to reports, the Google Messages app icon is showing up multiple times in the app drawer, with some users seeing two, three, or even four of the same icons. The bug, which isn’t breaking any fundamental functionality, is causing a remarkable amount of clutter.

The fix update is already being released

The issue, according to a technical report cited by Android Authority, originates from an unintentional code alteration in Google Messages beta version v20250811. While updating, Google inadvertently introduced an additional android.intent.category.LAUNCHER intent filter to another activity. This caused the Android operating system to recognize that activity as a different app shortcut. Fortunately, tapping on any of the duplicate icons launches the app appropriately, and the problem occurs only within the app drawer and not on the home screen.

Fortunately, the bug did not live long. Only days after the problem was initially reported, Google has already pushed a new beta update, v20250813, which supposedly addresses the issue for the majority of users. Should the duplicate icons persist after the update, a reboot of the device is said to eliminate the problem.

For others who are still facing the issue, two simple solutions are provided:

• Revert to the stable version: You can opt out of the beta program via the Google Play Store to go back to the stable, bug-free version of the application.
• Apply a temporary fix: One solution that has been successful for certain individuals is to conceal all occurrences of the application from the “Home and Apps screen” in the settings of your device and then reveal it. This appears to reinitialise the icon database of the app drawer.

This illustrates that despite the disorderliness of beta testing, it is a necessary process to ensure individuals enjoy a positive experience. It allows for the identification and repairing of bugs prior to distributing the software to millions of consumers.

Source: Android Authority