Google Messages users on Samsung and Pixel devices are dealing with a quirky new beta bug – duplicate app icons cluttering their app drawers. In the affected beta version 20250811_03_RC00, the Google Messages icon appears twice side by side in the launcher’s suggestions and app drawer.
Both open the same app, and oddly, the extra icon doesn’t appear on home screens or in search results.
According to Android Authority’s investigation, the glitch stems from duplicate declarations in the app’s code, making the system believe there are two separate apps. Some unlucky users even report ending up with three icons after uninstalling and reinstalling the app. One Reddit user joked about the issue after reinstalling: “I had two icons, reinstalled… now I’ve got three. Nice.”
The bug doesn’t affect functionality, but it’s irritating for those who like a clean, organized interface. It’s a typical downside of being in a beta program – new features arrive sooner, but so do unexpected hiccups. Earlier this month, a different beta bug caused the app to crash.
For now, the only reliable fix is to revert to the stable version of Google Messages, where the problem disappears. Google will likely address the issue in the next update, but until then, beta testers will just have to live with the extra icons – or embrace the chaos.