Google's Pixel VIPs feature puts the handful of people you talk to most on your home screen, along with their latest messages, local weather and time, shared location and important dates. With the September 2026 Pixel Drop, Google gave it a big refresh: the widget now has one-tap call and message buttons, unread-message badges and a new floating switcher for jumping between your VIPs. Because the redesign arrives through app updates and a gradual server-side switch, a lot of Pixel owners haven't seen it yet or aren't sure how to set it up.
This guide covers what changed, how to add your VIPs, how to place and resize the new widget, and what to do when the redesign doesn't show up. The steps follow Google's Pixel Phone Help page, with details from 9to5Google and Android Authority.
What's new in the redesign
- Quick actions on the widget: call or text a VIP with a single tap from the home screen, without opening their profile first.
- Notification badges: a small circular badge marks unread messages on a contact's photo or on the message button.
- Full-screen profiles: tapping a VIP now opens a full-screen page instead of a bottom sheet. The "Local updates" card with weather and time sits at the top, and a pencil icon takes you straight to editing the contact.
- Floating VIP switcher: a pill-shaped bar at the bottom of the profile lets you swipe or tap to move between VIPs. Long-press it to get left and right arrows.
- Removed: Android Authority reports that the old "Things to do together" suggestions are gone.
What you need
- A Pixel 6 or newer, including the Pixel Fold.
- Pixel VIPs version 2.0 and Google Contacts 4.77 or later, according to 9to5Google.
- Up-to-date Google Contacts, Pixel Weather and WhatsApp apps, as Google recommends, so every widget card can fill in.
Step 1: Update the apps
- Open the Play Store, tap your profile picture and choose Manage apps & device.
- Install any waiting updates, especially Google Contacts and Pixel VIPs.
- Check for a system update too: Settings > System > Software updates.
Step 2: Add your VIPs
- Open the Google Contacts app (not the Phone app).
- Tap Organize at the bottom right, then Pixel VIPs.
- Go through the short introduction screens.
- When asked, tap Add and pick the people you want. You can choose up to eight, and they can use an iPhone or an Android phone.
- Approve the permissions the setup asks for.
- Tap Add to Home screen to place the widget right away.
Google adds VIPs to your Favorites automatically, which means their calls and messages can break through Do Not Disturb. You can change that in settings if you'd rather not.
Step 3: Place and size the widget
If you skipped "Add to Home screen", you can add the widget by hand:
- Touch and hold an empty spot on the home screen and tap Widgets.
- Scroll to Contacts and find the VIPs widget.
- Drag it onto the home screen.
- Touch and hold it to resize. 9to5Google says the redesign supports two layouts:
| Size | What it shows |
|---|---|
| 5×1 | One row of round profile photos with first names, up to four at a time; scroll for more |
| 5×2 (maximum) | Rectangular cards with pill-shaped call and message buttons, depending on how many VIPs you have |
The widget can no longer be stretched to fill the whole screen as before. To change who appears, touch and hold the widget and tap Edit, or go back to Contacts > Organize > Pixel VIPs.
Step 4: Fill in each profile
The widget is only as useful as the information behind it. Tap a VIP to open their page and add:
- Birthdays and anniversaries, so reminders appear on time.
- Location sharing: if the person shares their location with you in Google Maps, it can show up on the widget. Google advises adding the email address they use for sharing to their contact card.
- Notes for gift ideas or plans.
Messages from VIPs in Google Messages and WhatsApp are treated as priority conversations by default, so they appear at the top of your notification list.
Troubleshooting
- The old widget is still showing. The new widget design is switched on server-side, so updating the apps doesn't guarantee you'll see it immediately. 9to5Google noted it reached only some devices at first. Keep your apps updated and check again in a few days.
- No unread badges. Gadget Hacks reports you may need to enable the option to show messages on the widget before badges appear.
- Pixel VIPs is missing from Contacts. Make sure you're in Google Contacts, not the Phone app. Android Central's fix for a missing entry: open Manage apps & device in the Play Store, uninstall Pixel VIPs, check for updates and reinstall it, then close and reopen Contacts.
- Location doesn't appear. The other person has to share their location with you in Google Maps, and the email they share from must be in their contact details.
- Bottom controls feel harder to reach. 9to5Google points out the old bottom sheet was friendlier for one-handed use. The new floating switcher at the bottom partly makes up for it.
Our take
The redesign fixes the old widget's biggest weakness: you can now call or text someone in one tap instead of two or three. The full-screen profile is a mixed result, since it looks cleaner but moves some buttons away from your thumb. If you already use Pixel VIPs, update the apps and check the 5×2 layout. If you never tried it, add your closest contacts now; it takes about two minutes.
Sources: Pixel Phone Help, Google Blog, 9to5Google, Android Authority
