Google is working on a different version of Google Plus for Android, which is alleged to be quite new and totally reworked from the ground up.
According to Google Plus builder Leo Deegan, the new Google Plus app is set to be released within the next several days. While it will mirror the current application in appearance, it sounds like a lot of technical revolution has been made under the hood.
Key Takeaway: This isn't just a visual refresh — it's a complete technical rewrite. The app may look the same on the surface, but everything powering it underneath is brand new. That's a significant engineering investment from Google.
A Complete Technical Rewrite
This new version is the completion of a full rewrite of many core features using Google's latest Android application framework. This move will allow the Android team to build new features on a stylish and modern tech stack — replacing the older, more rigid codebase that had accumulated over years of incremental updates.
- Full Rewrite: Not a patch or an update — core features rebuilt from scratch
- Modern Framework: Built on Google's latest Android application development standards
- Faster Feature Development: A modern tech stack means the team can ship new features more quickly
- Better Performance: Rewritten code typically means better memory management, smoother animations, and fewer crashes
- Same Look, Different Engine: The UI remains familiar to existing users — the revolution is under the hood
Why Rewrites Matter: When apps grow over years through incremental updates, the codebase becomes fragile — like a house with too many extensions. A rewrite builds a fresh foundation that's stronger, cleaner, and ready for the future.
New Features and Improvements
01
Improved Stream Rendering and Scrolling
The content feed — or "stream" in Google+ terminology — has been re-engineered for smoother rendering and faster scrolling. This means posts load quicker, scrolling feels more fluid, and the overall browsing experience is noticeably snappier.
- Faster post loading as you scroll through the feed
- Smoother scroll animations without jank or stuttering
- More efficient memory usage — the app won't slow down after extended scrolling
02
Redesigned Photo Lightbox
The photo viewing experience has been completely redesigned. When you tap on a photo in the stream, the new lightbox presents images in a cleaner, more immersive way — with better zoom handling, smoother transitions, and an overall more polished visual presentation.
- Cleaner, distraction-free photo viewing interface
- Smoother open/close animations when entering and exiting the lightbox
- Better gesture support for zooming and panning through images
03
Swipe Up to Leave a Comment
A new gesture-based interaction has been introduced — users can now swipe up on a post to open the comment section. This replaces the older tap-based approach and makes engaging with posts feel more natural and fluid on mobile devices.
- Natural Gesture: Swiping up feels intuitive on a touchscreen — like pulling up a drawer
- Faster Interaction: One fluid motion instead of hunting for a small comment button
- Modern Pattern: Aligns with gesture-based navigation trends in Android apps
UX Insight: Gesture-based interactions like "swipe up" reduce cognitive load. Instead of scanning the UI for a button, your muscle memory handles it — making the app feel faster even if the actual load time is the same.
04
Grey-Spammed Comments Now Viewable by Post Authors
Previously, comments flagged as potential spam were hidden from everyone — including the post author. With this update, post authors can now view grey-spammed comments, giving them more control over their own comment sections.
- Author Control: Post authors can see what's been auto-filtered and decide if it's legitimate
- Reduced False Positives: No more losing genuine comments to an over-aggressive spam filter
- Better Moderation: Authors can manually approve comments that were incorrectly flagged
Important Distinction: Grey-spammed comments are visible to the post author only — they remain hidden from other users unless the author takes action. This prevents spam from appearing publicly while giving creators moderation power.
Features at a Glance
| Feature |
What Changed |
User Benefit |
| Stream Rendering | Re-engineered scrolling and loading | Smoother, faster feed browsing |
| Photo Lightbox | Complete visual redesign | Better photo viewing experience |
| Swipe Up to Comment | New gesture-based interaction | Faster, more natural engagement |
| Grey-Spam Visibility | Authors can now see filtered comments | Better comment moderation control |
| Core Architecture | Full rewrite on modern framework | Faster future feature development |
What's Still Being Worked On
Google admits there are a few accepted features that are still being developed, which is completely normal with a complete rewrite. When you rebuild an app from the ground up, not everything makes it into the first release.
- Some existing features from the old app are still being ported to the new architecture
- Google is prioritizing stability and core experience over feature parity at launch
- Missing features are expected to arrive in subsequent updates
Expect Some Gaps: If you're a power user, don't be surprised if a niche feature from the old app isn't available on day one. Complete rewrites almost always launch with a core feature set first, then fill in the gaps over following updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is this just a visual update or a real technical change?
A: It's a real technical change. The app has been completely rewritten on Google's latest Android framework. It looks similar on the surface, but the entire codebase underneath is new.
Q: Will I lose any features in the new version?
A: Possibly a few. Google admitted some features are still being ported to the new architecture. However, core functionality is intact, and missing features should arrive in follow-up updates.
Q: What does "grey-spammed comments" mean?
A: These are comments automatically flagged as potential spam by Google's filters — they appear greyed out or hidden. Previously, even post authors couldn't see them. Now authors can view and manually approve legitimate ones.
Q: Why rewrite the entire app instead of updating it gradually?
A: Years of incremental updates create messy, fragile code. A full rewrite on a modern framework allows Google to build features faster, improve performance, and avoid the technical debt of patching old code.
Q: When will the new Google+ app be available?
A: Google stated it should be available on Android within the next several days from the announcement. It will roll out through the Google Play Store as an update to the existing app.
Final Thoughts
Google's decision to completely rewrite the Google Plus Android app — rather than slap another coat of paint on aging code — signals that they were serious about improving the platform's mobile experience. The new features like swipe-to-comment, improved photo lightbox, and author-visible spam filters show attention to real user pain points.
While some features are still catching up, the modern tech stack means Google can deliver improvements much faster going forward. For Google+ users on Android, this was a meaningful upgrade — even if it looked familiar on the outside.
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