Pixel Journal gets short Material 3 Expressive bottom bar

Source: 9to5Google

Material 3 Expressive’s short bottom bar is now available in Pixel Journal as AI features come to the Pixel 9 series.

Pixel Journal now uses the short bottom bar re‑introduced with Material 3 Expressive. Notice how there’s now less space above the tab indicator. This change doesn’t allow you to see much more content in the Entries feed, but the consistency is appreciated.

The Journal app follows the design of Google Home and Phone by Google, with Google Photos now the biggest exception. That said, the app is moving to a floating toolbar like the big Pixel Now Playing update.

Old vs. new

Other holdouts include My Pixel, Google Passwords, and Quick Share, with the latter two experiences powered by Google Play services.

Pixel Journal 2026.02.10.867917178 is rolling out now via the Play Store. This update should also enable AI features on the Pixel 9 (A‑Series excluded). Available in English and Japanese, Reflection, Revisit Topics, and Mood ID let you “express yourself and build healthy reflection habits.”

Google also notes how “you can now fine‑tune your experience by providing direct thumbs‑up or thumbs‑down feedback on image‑based prompts.”