Google announced in June that it would merge Google Duo with Google Meet, bringing the best of both worlds to users. Later, the first evidence of the removal came into the scene in July, when a card titled “Duo is getting even better” within the Google Duo app started showing up.
Then, taking another step, rather an amusing one, Google introduced the Duo icon that sits alongside the Meet icon in the Android app drawer. This gave users two options to open the same app on Android. The reason behind the return of the iconic Duo icon was to allow users to search/type the word “Duo” and locate the app since Duo is used more than Meet.
The latest version removes the iconic blue Duo icon
Cut to now, the Google Duo icon is finally bidding adieu with the arrival of a new Google Meet update. The app version 177.0.482666072 is rolling out, removing the blue Duo icon. This means users now have to search for “Meet” to make video calls. With ‘Duo,' it was guaranteed to appear on the first page since it starts with the letter “D,” which was apt for a communication app.
The latest update isn't rolling out widely to all. Google confirmed that this new Google Meet/Duo update started rolling out this Friday. Also, the duo.google.com website now uses the Google Meet branding throughout the website, hinting that Duo is now gone for good.
This includes the replacement of the favicon and using Meet branding at the top left corner of the page. When you visit or launch this website, you will be greeted with a familiar “Duo has been upgraded to Meet,” as you saw previously on the mobile app. This prompt contains information and explains how “Google Meet is now your one app for video calling and meetings.”
