iOS 19 Redesign Now Widely Rumored

[MacRumors]

It is looking more and more likely that iOS will be receiving a significant redesign this year — perhaps the biggest since iOS 7.

It has now been rumored by three separate sources that the iPhone's software platform will eventually look more like the Apple Vision Pro's operating system, visionOS. The changes are expected to be introduced with iOS 19, which should be available in beta starting in June, and released to the general public in September.

Israeli website The Verifier was first to report about the potential visionOS-like redesign, but it said the changes were coming in iOS 18. It is possible that this report was accurate about the details, but wrong about the timeframe.

Then, earlier this year, Jon Prosser claimed that iOS 19 will feature a redesigned Camera app. In a video uploaded to his YouTube channel Front Page Tech, he shared renders of the app's alleged new design, revealing translucent menus and other visionOS-like elements. He speculated that the changes could extend to the Home Screen and beyond.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today corroborated the visionOS-like redesign rumor in a report about Apple's software plans.

Here is what he said, with emphasis added:

The revamp — due later this year — will fundamentally change the look of the operating systems and make Apple's various software platforms more consistent, according to people familiar with the effort. That includes updating the style of icons, menus, apps, windows and system buttons.

As part of the push, the company is working to simplify the way users navigate and control their devices, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the project hasn't been announced. The design is loosely based on the Vision Pro's software, they said.

He said the changes are coming to the iPhone with iOS 19:

The changes are coming as part of iOS 19 and iPadOS 19 — code-named "Luck" — and macOS 16, which is dubbed "Cheer."

A big unanswered question: Will the iPhone have circular app icons on iOS 19, rather than squircle ones? Gurman acknowledged that visionOS has circular app icons, but he stopped short of saying if they will come to iOS.

At a minimum, you can expect iOS 19 to have a more simplified and translucent appearance, if these rumors are true.

Apple is expected to announce iOS 19 at WWDC 2025 in June.

Article Link: iOS 19 Redesign Now Widely Rumored

 

[Plutonius]

I hope that doesn't mean a lot of bugs .

When iOS 19 is released, I'm definitely going to wait at least until the .2 release.

 

[Jefferyd32]

So they’re going to overall the software to match one of Apple’s least successful product launches ever? Interesting choice.

 

[Gix1k]

Everything is nearly the same except that ridiculously priced face mask.

 

[F23]

can't wait til iOS 21 for all the bugs to be smoothed out

 

[Helios_7]

Everyone: Just make Siri smart!

Apple: Here’s a whole OS redesign.

 

[Aeronauts]

I hope they don’t switch to round app icons. That would look horrible.

 

[Minato1990]

Apple is leaking this. Probably to quiet out the emerging backlash FOR NOT DELIVERING WITH APPLE INTELLIGENCE AND SCAMMING iPHONE 16/pro/pro maxbuyers

 

[Trausner]

iOS needs to allow multitasking of at least two apps, kinda like Stage Manager light. Let me connect to an external display and have full display support with at least one additional app. And if i can dream, please give us an ARCHIVE function on iMessages… like every other messenger app out there.

 

[MrRom92]

If the changes are anything like the wonderful changes they made for the photos app in iOS 18, you can expect an infinitely less usable device. Now it will have that same miserable experience across the (spring)board. Couple that with all the iOS 18 bugs you know they were too busy to fix while they were unnecessarily redesigning the UX in every app and your iphone will finally be even less useful than your Apple Watch. Courage!

 

[nuff_said]

Everyone: Just make Siri smart!

Apple: Here’s a whole OS redesign.

Here’s how bad Siri is.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

So they’re going to overall the software to match one of Apple’s least successful product launches ever? Interesting choice.

It is interesting to me how many people consider the introduction of the AVP to be unsuccessful. All you folks must think that the AVP should be another iPhone, instead of the new technology introduction that it really is. And it did sell more than 100,000 units at $3500 each which is a big chunk of change.

 

[It’s always something]

Everyone: Just make Siri smart!

Apple: Here’s a whole OS redesign.

The redesign is undoubtedly easier.

 

[slb]

Rounded corners and shadows don't excite me. A significant redesign to me would involve major changes to the user experience. For example, the Dock, which feels clunky and out of date in 2025.

 

[hektor6tygr]

So they’re going to overall the software to match one of Apple’s least successful product launches ever? Interesting choice.

I don't think people are hesitant to buy the Vision Pro because of how the OS looks. The interface is probably the direction Apple was heading into anyway, and VisionOS was a sneak peak of that.

 

[dampfnudel]

Apple should’ve code-named iOS 19 “Good Luck” because after bungling AI that’s what they’ll need. No circle app icons PLEASE!!!

 

[loby]

Let macOS stay macOS. It is ok if there are cosmetic changes so things are consistent if Apple wants that, but we still need macOS on the Mac.

 

[michaelant]

I hope they don’t switch to round app icons. That would look horrible.

Me too. I'm thinking it's time for triangles.

 

[applefan8254]

could we have multiple users please? Thank you

 

[Siliconguy]

Rounded corners and shadows don't excite me. A significant redesign to me would involve major changes to the user experience. For example, the Dock, which feels clunky and out of date in 2025.

So what would you use to replace the Dock? What desktop do yo think is modern?

 

[dampfnudel]

I hope they don’t switch to round app icons. That would look horrible.

If copying Android is the best they can offer, Tim needs to hand over the reins to someone else.

 

[TVreporter]

Oh great a system relying on “Luck”

Like “Press Your Luck” - any future bugs will be known as “Whammies.”


How about code name “Bug Free”?

 

[svish]

Looks like there will be some changes for sure. Hope there won’t be many bugs with all the rumoured changes.

 

[notkenny]

We may have had a preview of it already in the apple sports app. If you use the menu on the top right, it has the same frosted glass and "floating" look over the UI like the Vision Pro.

 

[TVreporter]

Me too. I'm thinking it's time for triangles.

long overdue!