Apple Sparks Outrage Over Subtle iPhone Icon Change: ‘Made a Real Mess,’ Users Fume

iPhone Users Outraged Over iOS 26’s Clock App Redesign

Apple’s iOS 26 Beta, unveiled at this week’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), has sparked backlash over a seemingly minor design tweak: the Clock app icon. The change replaces the classic black-square-with-white-clock design (used since 2013) with an all-white icon featuring minute markers around its edge. While Apple touted the update as part of its sleek “Liquid Glass” aesthetic, many users are unimpressed.

The Clock app’s old (left) and new (right) icons in iOS 26 Beta.

Social Media Backlash
On X (formerly Twitter), users mocked the redesign. One wrote, “Am I the only one who didn’t like the clock icon?” Another declared, “Apple has made a real mess with this 26. I won’t be downloading it ever.” A post comparing the old and new icons by @applesclubs went viral, with replies favoring the original. Critics called the new design “plain ugly” and “a mess,” with some vowing to skip the update entirely.

Liquid Glass Design Overhaul
Apple’s iOS 26 introduces “Liquid Glass,” a translucent, dynamic design language for app icons and interfaces. Alan Dye, Apple’s VP of Human Interface Design, described it as a “fluid” material that adapts to content and context. While the aesthetic refresh includes redesigned icons for AirDrop (now blue with translucent lines) and Translate (swapped black for blue), the Clock app’s makeover drew the most ire.

Updated AirDrop (left) and Translate (right) icons in iOS 26.

Key iOS 26 Features
Beyond design changes, iOS 26 includes:

• Enhanced Messages: Custom chat backgrounds, spam filtering, and group chat upgrades.
• Games App: Central hub for Apple Arcade titles.
• Live Translation: Real-time translation across calls, FaceTime, and texts.
• Apple Intelligence: On-screen content recognition and search.

The update is currently in developer beta, with a public release expected in September. Still, the Clock app controversy highlights how even subtle tweaks can ripple through Apple’s loyal user base.

Image credit: All screenshots via Daily Mail.

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