iOS 26 Speculation Thread

[Kal Madda]

How about no icons? Windows Phone tiles are back!

View attachment 2494976

I think even that looks better than round icons in my opinion. 🙁. Luckily, since they just had developers update their app icons in iOS 18, I don’t think they’re going to make developers have to rework their app icons all over again just a year later, and we have an alleged leaked photo of iPadOS 19 that shows a squircle icon for a file. That photo is from a source that has been pretty reliable, and accurately described the specs of the iPhone 16e, including down to the name change when others were still calling it the SE 4. So I don’t have much reason to believe it’s faked. Especially since the Status Bar in the photo has a battery indicator that matches the iOS battery indicator with the percentage shown inside the battery shape instead of next to it. iPadOS currently shows the percentage next to the symbol, so it someone were trying to create an elaborate fake, they would likely use the current battery indicator on the Status Bar. But this visual change would make sense, especially if Apple is trying to unify the design of their OSes, which is a rumor that wasn’t making the rounds when the photo was originally shared. So it’s consistent with recent rumors, and looks pretty legit, though there still is a chance it could be faked. Personally, I think Apple will stick with squircle icons. They didn’t change the shape of app icons when they moved from iOS 6 to 7, I don’t see why a new design change would necessitate new icon shapes.

Now, as a theming option for those who like the look, I’d be all on board. But as the only option with no way to change back to squircles? That would seriously suck. And I don’t think they would do things that way. Why create a fresh new controversy that could be avoided right on the heals of current controversy over Siri delays? I think chances are likely that if they did that, it would be as an optional thing. See Safari tab layout design, dark mode icons, etc. for examples where Apple hasn’t forced a major change like that on people…

 

[Reverend Benny]

How about no icons? Windows Phone tiles are back!

View attachment 2494976

I did like that GUI on their Mobile, but not on their desktop OS. Not as "clean" as iOS but still something new. I like that Apple did a similar move "borrowed" part of the idea when it comes to resizing widgets and that you can se more or less info a few years later.

 

[tomtattoo]

I´m prepared for the worst.
Since two years joyful anticipation has changed to "What has gone worse this time?"
So I´m prepared for the worst.

 

[Stiille]

Anyone who is interested in iOS 19 look and concept, here you go:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1903993432483238095

 

[Kal Madda]

Anyone who is interested in iOS 19 look and concept, here you go:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1903993432483238095

I really hope it doesn’t look like that. The circle icons look so out of place with rectangular and square widgets. It doesn’t look well balanced. And it would be back to the drawing board for many developer’s app icons, even though they literally just updated them for iOS 18. With that and no direct leaks yet claiming any kind of app icon shape change, I luckily think there’s a good chance that won’t happen. As an optional theming option that would be fine, just don’t force it on those of us who prefer the squircle look. And I think there’s a good chance they won’t do that.

I think the new design will focus more on app UIs and actual system interactions than a circle app icon paint job on the Home Screen. iOS 18 already brought the Home Screen paint job, they may tweak some app icon designs, but I don’t see it being wildly different from the icons in iOS 18. My guess is they will do something more akin to the Neumorphic app icons on macOS, still within the familiar and consistent icon shape, but with more shading and depth to them. You can already see signs of this with Apple’s newer app icons on iOS, which use much more depth shading and have a more 3D look to them. Even looking at the black background Apple adds behind app icons with Dark Mode icons, the background isn’t solid black, it’s gradientized to look slightly raised almost like a key on a keyboard. If they change the app icons at all, Gurman said this isn’t supposed to just be a paintjob, it’s more about making using devices more consistent and simpler. There aren’t any direct rumors that the app icons will be circular, just a few people wishcasting it with a mockup they’ve made. Personally I don’t see why they would completely revamp the shape of app icons after developers just finished the work of reworking their icons for Dark Mode Icons in iOS 18.

 

[Reverend Benny]

Anyone who is interested in iOS 19 look and concept, here you go:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1903993432483238095

Has a bit of a Sailfish OS feel with the round icons.

 

[Kal Madda]

Has a bit of a Sailfish OS feel with the round icons.

View attachment 2495284

Ok, those offset weird pointy icons may actually look worse than circular icons… 🤦🏼‍♂️🙁

 

[Nathan576]

I think even that looks better than round icons in my opinion. 🙁. Luckily, since they just had developers update their app icons in iOS 18, I don’t think they’re going to make developers have to rework their app icons all over again just a year later, and we have an alleged leaked photo of iPadOS 19 that shows a squircle icon for a file. That photo is from a source that has been pretty reliable, and accurately described the specs of the iPhone 16e, including down to the name change when others were still calling it the SE 4. So I don’t have much reason to believe it’s faked. Especially since the Status Bar in the photo has a battery indicator that matches the iOS battery indicator with the percentage shown inside the battery shape instead of next to it. iPadOS currently shows the percentage next to the symbol, so it someone were trying to create an elaborate fake, they would likely use the current battery indicator on the Status Bar. But this visual change would make sense, especially if Apple is trying to unify the design of their OSes, which is a rumor that wasn’t making the rounds when the photo was originally shared. So it’s consistent with recent rumors, and looks pretty legit, though there still is a chance it could be faked. Personally, I think Apple will stick with squircle icons. They didn’t change the shape of app icons when they moved from iOS 6 to 7, I don’t see why a new design change would necessitate new icon shapes.

Now, as a theming option for those who like the look, I’d be all on board. But as the only option with no way to change back to squircles? That would seriously suck. And I don’t think they would do things that way. Why create a fresh new controversy that could be avoided right on the heals of current controversy over Siri delays? I think chances are likely that if they did that, it would be as an optional thing. See Safari tab layout design, dark mode icons, etc. for examples where Apple hasn’t forced a major change like that on people…

I’m telling you man circle icons are not a big deal for developers. In the best practices, Apple already tells developers to design icons that work well on multiple platforms like Apple Watch and Vision OS. If a developer is following apples best practices then their icon already supports circles.

App icons | Apple Developer Documentation

A unique, memorable icon communicates the purpose and personality of your app or game and can help people recognize your product at a glance in the App Store and on their devices.

developer.apple.com

 

[Stiille]

I really really like the design concept - on the Vision Pro it looks fantastic, so why not on iOS too?
But it’s always like that - some like it, some hate it - German sentence „taste is different for everyone“
So yeah we will see, but with what I really agree with @Kal Madda is that it should be optional, and not forced on everyone - 3 more months to go and we will see where Apple wants us to go 🤣

 

[Kal Madda]

I’m telling you man circle icons are not a big deal for developers. In the best practices, Apple already tells developers to design icons that work well on multiple platforms like Apple Watch and Vision OS. If a developer is following apples best practices then their icon already supports circles.

App icons | Apple Developer Documentation

A unique, memorable icon communicates the purpose and personality of your app or game and can help people recognize your product at a glance in the App Store and on their devices.

developer.apple.com

There are several app icons that use the squircle shape to represent a real world object. Several of Apple’s own icons even do this. A few examples: Notes, Contacts, Dictionary, Reminders, Disc Utility, Terminal, Activity Monitor, Final Cut Pro, and even newly introduced apps like Invites, Apple Sports, etc. If they were planning on switching to circle icons in a matter of months, it wouldn’t make any sense to release invites with an icon that clearly needs a squircle shape icon to make sense… And many third party app icons use this exact same icon convention. Several reading related apps use the squircle icon to represent a book, Orion uses the squircle shape to represent an old monitor, etc. There are also tons of app icons that feature visual elements like lettering that take up most of the squircle, and would end up with corners cut off with a circle shape. All such icons would have to be revamped yet again in order for them to look right in a circle app icon.

 

[Stiille]

There are several app icons that use the squircle shape to represent a real world object. Several of Apple’s own icons even do this. A few examples: Notes, Contacts, Dictionary, Reminders, Disc Utility, Terminal, Activity Monitor, Final Cut Pro, and even newly introduced apps like Invites, Apple Sports, etc. If they were planning on switching to circle icons in a matter of months, it wouldn’t make any sense to release invites with an icon that clearly needs a squircle shape icon to make sense… And many third party app icons use this exact same icon convention. Several reading related apps use the squircle icon to represent a book, Orion uses the squircle shape to represent an old monitor, etc. There are also tons of app icons that feature visual elements like lettering that take up most of the squircle, and would end up with corners cut off with a circle shape. All such icons would have to be revamped yet again in order for them to look right in a circle app icon.

True words, nevertheless, it looks like we will get a huge revamp of iOS this year - hope Apple will do it right.
And I think it will be circle icons from now on, at least as an optional design.
Like Apple does with small and big icons to choose from - wether we like names under our icons or not.
Hope Apple will do this with iOS 19 as well.

 

[Kal Madda]

I really really like the design concept - on the Vision Pro it looks fantastic, so why not on iOS too?
But it’s always like that - some like it, some hate it - German sentence „taste is different for everyone“
So yeah we will see, but with what I really agree with @Kal Madda is that it should be optional, and not forced on everyone - 3 more months to go and we will see where Apple wants us to go 🤣

Oh yes, definitely. 👍🏻. I’m totally onboard with it as a theming option for those who want it. It could even swap icons to the visionOS or watchOS versions for apps that also support those platforms, and then crop those that don’t. As a theming option, it wouldn’t have as big of impact on app branding, and if an icon doesn’t work well in the circle format, it wouldn’t be a big deal because it’s an optional setting. I remember a mockup for iOS 18 before it came out that had an icon customization menu that looked a lot like the Customize menu we got in iOS 18, but also had small options for changing app icon shape (squircle or circular), and an icon theming option with a menu for choosing from different theming packs and choosing your own custom icons. I don’t know if they would end up including an icon picker, but I could totally see them including the icon shape selection as a theming option. I’d be completely onboard with it as an option, I just wouldn’t want it to be the only option, especially with how controversial it is, I don’t think that would be a good idea. But I definitely think it would be great as an optional theming option. 👍🏻

 

[Stiille]

Oh yes, definitely. 👍🏻. I’m totally onboard with it as a theming option for those who want it. It could even swap icons to the visionOS or watchOS versions for apps that also support those platforms, and then crop those that don’t. As a theming option, it wouldn’t have as big of impact on app branding, and if an icon doesn’t work well in the circle format, it wouldn’t be a big deal because it’s an optional setting. I remember a mockup for iOS 18 before it came out that had an icon customization menu that looked a lot like the Customize menu we got in iOS 18, but also had small options for changing app icon shape (squircle or circular), and an icon theming option with a menu for choosing from different theming packs and choosing your own custom icons. I don’t know if they would end up including an icon picker, but I could totally see them including the icon shape selection as a theming option. I’d be completely onboard with it as an option, I just wouldn’t want it to be the only option, especially with how controversial it is, I don’t think that would be a good idea. But I definitely think it would be great as an optional theming option. 👍🏻

I would really love that they integrate a icon picker - using right now icon pack from Lokki.
And I love it !

Dark Vision OS / Vision OS icons from Lokki - really defined and stunning work from him.
Widget though is from another creator

 

[Kal Madda]

I would really love that they integrate a icon picker - using right now icon pack from Lokki.
And I love it !

View attachment 2495296

Yeah, I think it would be great if they implemented an icon picker. People can already do it with Shortcuts, and I think there’s an app that does it more streamlined with the shortcuts method or something. So why not just make it easier with an icon picker? I’d love to see them incorporate one into the “Customize” menu. 👍🏻

 

[Stiille]

Yeah, I think it would be great if they implemented an icon picker. People can already do it with Shortcuts, and I think there’s an app that does it more streamlined with the shortcuts method or something. So why not just make it easier with an icon picker? I’d love to see them incorporate one into the “Customize” menu. 👍🏻

Really ? Could you post a link to that app? I do this for each app everytime … annoying long process 😬

 

[Nathan576]

There are several app icons that use the squircle shape to represent a real world object. Several of Apple’s own icons even do this. A few examples: Notes, Contacts, Dictionary, Reminders, Disc Utility, Terminal, Activity Monitor, Final Cut Pro, and even newly introduced apps like Invites, Apple Sports, etc. If they were planning on switching to circle icons in a matter of months, it wouldn’t make any sense to release invites with an icon that clearly needs a squircle shape icon to make sense… And many third party app icons use this exact same icon convention. Several reading related apps use the squircle icon to represent a book, Orion uses the squircle shape to represent an old monitor, etc. There are also tons of app icons that feature visual elements like lettering that take up most of the squircle, and would end up with corners cut off with a circle shape. All such icons would have to be revamped yet again in order for them to look right in a circle app icon.

Again, most icons already support a circle. I’m not going to get into all those apps you posted but Notes and reminders on Apple Watch are circle versions of the iOS icons.

And at the end of the day, it’s really not that hard to redesign an icon. I don’t think Apple is not going to factor that into their decision.

 

[Stiille]

Again, most icons already support a circle. I’m not going to get into all those apps you posted but Notes and reminders on Apple Watch are circle versions of the iOS icons.

And at the end of the day, it’s really not that hard to redesign an icon. I don’t think Apple is not going to factor that into their decision.

As this is all pure speculation, we will see in around 3 months, and for sure I will test iOS 19 before fall this year 🙏

 

[Kal Madda]

I would really love that they integrate a icon picker - using right now icon pack from Lokki.
And I love it !

Dark Vision OS / Vision OS icons from Lokki - really defined and stunning work from him.
Widget though is from another creator

View attachment 2495296

You know what, that actually gives me an idea. They could add an icon picker plus a transparent background option. So the background wouldn’t be just like a translucent squircle or whatever, but a completely transparent background. Then people could add whatever icon shape they wanted. It would be a background color option along with the light and dark mode app icon options. That would allow for the maximum level of customization options. 👍🏻

I actually could see Apple making improvements on this front. Home Screen customization has been a consistent focus in recent years, so it’s totally possible they will continue to expand the “Customize” menu for the Home Screen. 👍🏻

That paired with rumors that iPadOS 19 will support pinning files, folders and such to the Home Screen, it seems that more Home Screen customization options could make sense. 👍🏻

 

[Stiille]

You know what, that actually gives me an idea. They could add an icon picker plus a transparent background option. So the background wouldn’t be just like a translucent squircle or whatever, but a completely transparent background. Then people could add whatever icon shape they wanted. It would be a background color option along with the light and dark mode app icon options. That would allow for the maximum level of customization options. 👍🏻

I actually could see Apple making improvements on this front. Home Screen customization has been a consistent focus in recent years, so it’s totally possible they will continue to expand the “Customize” menu for the Home Screen. 👍🏻

That paired with rumors that iPadOS 19 will support pinning files, folders and such to the Home Screen, it seems that more Home Screen customization options could make sense. 👍🏻

Lokki already did that with his formless icon pack I also own.

Here you go, you mean something like that?

Formless App Icons

Icons without borders. Creativity without limits. Formless reimagines your iPhone screen with stunning freeform designs inspired by Appleâs playful legacy.

lokki.framer.website

 

[Kal Madda]

Again, most icons already support a circle. I’m not going to get into all those apps you posted but Notes and reminders on Apple Watch are circle versions of the iOS icons.

And at the end of the day, it’s really not that hard to redesign an icon. I don’t think Apple is not going to factor that into their decision.

I understand that, and I think it would be fine as a theming option. Then if app icons don’t look quite right in circle form, it isn’t a big deal, just like it isn’t a big deal if your app icon doesn’t support Dark Mode app icons.

But to say it isn’t that hard to redesign an app icon isn’t really accurate. There are a lot of factors at work, it affects your app branding, which means lots of decisions and careful consideration will be required. As a freelance graphic designer myself, I can tell you it is a lot more than a quick jot in Paint, at least when it’s done right. It takes lots of iteration with different versions, brainstorming, the app icon is essentially the logo of the app, it needs to align with the apps marketing strategy and the feeling they wish to invoke when users see it. It is absolutely a big deal, and is not a five minute job to redesign an app icon when done correctly…

 

[Nathan576]

I understand that, and I think it would be fine as a theming option. Then if app icons don’t look quite right in circle form, it isn’t a big deal, just like it isn’t a big deal if your app icon doesn’t support Dark Mode app icons.

But to say it isn’t that hard to redesign an app icon isn’t really accurate. There are a lot of factors at work, it affects your app branding, which means lots of decisions and careful consideration will be required. As a freelance graphic designer myself, I can tell you it is a lot more than a quick jot in Paint, at least when it’s done right. It takes lots of iteration with different versions, brainstorming, the app icon is essentially the logo of the app, it needs to align with the apps marketing strategy and the feeling they wish to invoke when users see it. It is absolutely a big deal, and is not a five minute job to redesign an app icon when done correctly…

Not Apple’s problem and I don’t think it makes circle icons any more or less likely.

 

[Kal Madda]

Lokki already did that with his formless icon pack I also own.

Here you go, you mean something like that?

Formless App Icons

Icons without borders. Creativity without limits. Formless reimagines your iPhone screen with stunning freeform designs inspired by Appleâs playful legacy.

lokki.framer.website

Yes, that’s exactly the kind of thing I’m talking about, with a theme store to buy app icon themes from the App Store, or to select your own from the Photos or Files app. 👍🏻

 

[Kal Madda]

Not Apple’s problem and I don’t think it makes circle icons any more or less likely.

Again, I’m all for them as a theming option. I just don’t want them as the only option…

And it is Apple’s problem. Developers won’t be happy if they just went through the work of reworking app icons to support dark mode icons, just to have to completely rework their icons to look right all over again the next year. Graphic designers might be happy with extra work, but I don’t imagine the developers would be that thrilled.

Besides, it’s a very controversial issue. Why force one or the other on everyone? Why not allow people to choose? That’s what they did with Dark Mode icons. They don’t just force them on you, even if you have dark mode enabled you can still continue to use light mode icons. I really don’t see why they wouldn’t make this an optional change as well. Or why anyone would want it to not be an optional thing you could choose if you like it or choose not to use if you don’t…

 

[Nathan576]

Again, I’m all for them as a theming option. I just don’t want them as the only option…

And it is Apple’s problem. Developers won’t be happy if they just went through the work of reworking app icons to support dark mode icons, just to have to completely rework their icons to look right all over again the next year. Graphic designers might be happy with extra work, but I don’t imagine the developers would be that thrilled.

Besides, it’s a very controversial issue. Why force one or the other on everyone? Why not allow people to choose? That’s what they did with Dark Mode icons. They don’t just force them on you, even if you have dark mode enabled you can still continue to use light mode icons. I really don’t see why they wouldn’t make this an optional change as well. Or why anyone would want it to not be an optional thing you could choose if you like it or choose not to use if you don’t…

If remaking an icon is such a big deal then the dev should have followed Apple’s guidelines for designing icons which clearly says to make it so it supports other devices aka shapes and sizes. Sucks for them, not Apple’s problem at all in my opinion.

I’m not talking about wants here I am pretty indifferent you seem to care much more about the shape than I do lol.

 

[Kal Madda]

If remaking an icon is such a big deal then the dev should have followed Apple’s guidelines for designing icons which clearly says to make it so it supports other devices aka shapes and sizes. Sucks for them, not Apple’s problem at all in my opinion.

I’m not talking about wants here I am pretty indifferent you seem to care much more about the shape than I do lol.

Apple uses app icons that don’t work well in a circle format themselves as I earlier mentioned. With some apps it doesn’t make sense to change the whole icon design to support devices you have no intention of supporting. Case in point, Final Cut Pro has no circle version icon for watchOS or visionOS because it doesn’t support those platforms. Apple doesn’t say to use one icon that can used on all platforms in all cases, in fact, they have very different design guidelines for each of their platforms. Even watchOS and visionOS icons have different design guidelines for icons. macOS has different app icon design guidelines than iOS and iPadOS. And they require separate iterations of icons to perfectly follow these guidelines, just like Apple makes separate iterations of their own icons for these platforms. So it isn’t as simple as you are making it sound.

And yes, I do care about this, and so do many other people. I think it would make much more sense to make this an optional theming option, not the de facto one option that everyone is forced with. And luckily I think Apple would make it optional if they do it, just as they did with dark mode icons which was a far less major and controversial thing.