GoKawiilAndroid Authority reviews Pixel VIPs upgrade, lists 5 missing features
Android Authority reports that Google's Pixel VIPs widget has been significantly upgraded, becoming more interactive with a new full-screen layout showing more contact information. Despite calling the update an improvement over the original Android 16 version, the outlet identifies several shortcomings, including limited third-party app support beyond WhatsApp and no ability to search notes attached to contacts.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The critique suggests Google's VIPs feature, intended to streamline access to frequent contacts, may still fall short for users who rely on apps like Telegram, Signal, Slack, or Teams rather than Google Messages and WhatsApp. This could limit the feature's usefulness for people managing both personal and work relationships from a single widget, according to the reviewer's assessment.
- Pixel VIPs widget now offers a full-screen, more interactive layout on Android 17
- Third-party messaging support is currently limited to WhatsApp, excluding apps like Telegram and Slack
- The widget lacks a search function for notes users add to contacts
Google Pixel 9 Pro — If you're diving into Pixel VIPs and the Android 17 widget upgrades, you'll want a Pixel device that fully supports these new features. The Pixel 9 Pro runs the latest Android updates first, letting you try features like the interactive VIPs widget as soon as they roll out. It's the ideal way to experience Google's newest software innovations exactly as intended.
See Google Pixel 9 Pro on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: androidauthority.com, 2026-10-26
Published there as: “Google finally made Pixel VIPs useful, but it’s missing these 5 features”
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