twitterlogoTwitter has confirmed to TechCrunch that the social network is performing a small scale test for some of its iOS users, changing the popular "retweet" icon into an new "share" button. "Retweet" and "quote tweet" are now simply options to pick from within the "share" menu.

Additionally, the arrow that currently indicates a prompt to reply to a tweet has been overhauled into a small speech bubble icon. The change to the reply button is purely cosmetic and doesn't functionally alter how the feature works, but the "share" option is introducing a few new choices into the sub-menu.

In addition to the expected "retweet" and "quote tweet" buttons, when users click on "share," they are discovering new "send by direct message" and "share tweet" options. Currently in the iOS Twitter app, send by direct message is a one-tap option below each tweet represented by a small envelope, which has now been removed.

"Share tweet" lets users spread a tweet to other platforms. In its current state on the iOS app, it can be found by tapping a small, easily missable down arrow in the top right corner of the screen, after clicking on the tweet to expand it and get more information. Both the current and potentially new options bring up Apple's usual share card.

twitter-ios-change
In its confirmation to TechCrunch, Twitter said that its purpose for the test is "to see how it changed behavior on the site," seemingly hoping to make it easier for users to send links to friends and family members with the new share options, boosting engagement in the process.

“We’re testing new icons on Tweets to evaluate how this impacts the way that people use Twitter,” a spokesperson said in an email.

Another reason for the change is rumored to be Twitter's acquiescence to "more established social media norms" that have been popularized by other social networks, with Twitter hoping that "share" is more recognizable and understandable by new users than Twitter-specific lingo like "retweet." In the new tests, "retweet" still exists, it's just buried under a newly named button. So if this part of Twitter's decision is true, it's still not clear why "retweet" would exist in any form within the app.

twitter-share-button

The new share button includes four options: retweet, quote tweet, send by direct message, and share tweet

This would also fall in line with the company's decision to change "stars" and "favorites" to "likes" and "hearts," two terms Facebook users are undoubtedly familiar with at this point. The move to a speech bubble from the curved "reply" arrow might also make it easier for new users to navigate the app, thanks to its similarity to app icons like iMessages. As with the sharing option, this has the potential to boost user engagement, which Twitter has been having trouble with this year.

It’s the same reason Twitter would change the reply arrow to a speech bubble: Twitter is looking for more understandable iconography, and having too many arrows was, again, confusing to anyone less familiar with Twitter beyond very regular, existing users. Having a speech bubble icon may also prove to remind people to react more frequently, boosting engagement — a key metric that Twitter, as an ad-based service, needs to grow (especially since user growth has largely been flat).

The details of how long the test might go on for were left unspecified, but one Twitter insider also mentioned that there are "a bunch" of tests being performed at the company, so it's impossible to say which change will become a permanent mainstay for its users. Twitter has been rolling out updates to compete with the growing popularity of Snapchat and Instagram, most recently adding in live video to its mobile apps earlier this week.

Tag: Twitter

Top Rated Comments

BrettArchibald Avatar
115 months ago
Oh look, yet ANOTHER share icon to go along with all the other share icons, that all look nothing like each other...

Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
H3LL5P4WN Avatar
115 months ago
I want to like the new official Twitter app, especially with darkmode now, but Tweetbot is still topdawg. No ads, a timeline that's actually in chronological order, no interjecting "In Case You Missed It..."

I'm not opposed to these things, but in their current state, they're confusing and detrimental to the Twitter experience.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
naeS1Sean Avatar
115 months ago
Imma Retweeten'...

That's what the button should say...
[doublepost=1481910594][/doublepost]
Wow I know like five German words now. Retweeten per direktnachricht senden! Abbrechen!
Louder!!
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TMRJIJ Avatar
115 months ago
Oh look, yet ANOTHER share icon to go along with all the other share icons, that all look nothing like each other...

The circular ones make me think the content I shared is coming back to me.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Hastings101 Avatar
115 months ago
Wow I know like five German words now. Retweeten per direktnachricht senden! Abbrechen!
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sshambles Avatar
115 months ago
I want to like the new official Twitter app, especially with darkmode now, but Tweetbot is still topdawg. No ads, a timeline that's actually in chronological order, no interjecting "In Case You Missed It..."

I'm not opposed to these things, but in their current state, they're confusing and detrimental to the Twitter experience.
Everything you said there, absolutely correct. The official app was okay for a time, but they keep messing with it and when every 7th tweet is an advertisement or something else, no thanks. I know they've got to make money somehow, but by destroying the user experience... that's how they'd lose me.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 26

Everything New in iOS 26.1 Beta 1

Monday September 22, 2025 12:44 pm PDT by
Apple released the first beta of iOS 26.1 today, just a week after launching iOS 26. iOS 26.1 mainly adds new languages to Apple Intelligence, but there are a few other features that are worth knowing about. New Apple Intelligence Languages Apple Intelligence is now available in Danish, Dutch, Norwegian, Portuguese (Portugal), Swedish, Turkish, Chinese (Traditional), and Vietnamese. AirPo...
apple tv 4k new orange

Next Apple TV Expected to Launch This Year With These New Features

Monday September 22, 2025 10:00 am PDT by
The next Apple TV is expected to be released later this year, and a handful of new features and changes have been rumored for the device. Below, we recap what to expect from the next Apple TV, according to rumors. Likely Features N1 Chip With Wi-Fi 7 Last year, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said the next Apple TV would be equipped with Apple's own combined Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip, which is...
Apple Intelligence General Feature 2

iOS 26.1 Adds New Apple Intelligence Languages and Expands AirPods Live Translation

Monday September 22, 2025 11:15 am PDT by
With iOS 26.1, Apple Intelligence is gaining support for additional languages, including Danish, Dutch, Norwegian, Portuguese (Portugal), Swedish, Turkish, Chinese (Traditional), and Vietnamese. Apple announced plans to expand the languages that can be used with Apple Intelligence last year, and now the added language support is here. Apple Intelligence is now available in the following...
iPhone 17 Pro USB C Port

iPhone 17 Pro Max's USB-C Charging Speeds Tested With Apple Chargers

Monday September 22, 2025 7:29 am PDT by
The website ChargerLAB has tested the iPhone 17 Pro Max's USB-C charging speeds with a variety of Apple's chargers, from 18W to 140W. The device reached a peak charging speed of around 36W with the following Apple chargers:40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W Max 61W USB-C Power Adapter 67W USB-C Power Adapter 70W USB-C Power Adapter 96W USB-C Power Adapter 140W USB-C Power AdapterFor...
iPhone 17 Pro and Air N1 Feature

Some iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone Air Users Experiencing Intermittent Wi-Fi Issue

Monday September 22, 2025 8:44 am PDT by
Apple's latest iPhone models launched on Friday, and some early adopters of the devices are experiencing intermittent Wi-Fi issues. Affected customers say Wi-Fi connectivity periodically cuts out on the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air, with hundreds of comments about the issue posted across the MacRumors Forums, Reddit, and the Apple Support Community over the...
Apple Foldable Thumb

Foldable iPhone Like 'Two Titanium iPhone Airs' Joined at the Hinge

Monday September 22, 2025 2:16 am PDT by
Next year's rumored foldable iPhone will showcase an ultra-thin design resembling "two titanium iPhone Airs side-by-side," according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Writing in the Q&A section of his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman says Apple's first foldable device will be "super thin and a design achievement," combining Apple's thinnest iPhone form factor with cutting-edge folding...
iPhone 17 Pro Colors

Skipped the iPhone 17 Pro? Here's What is Rumored for iPhone 18 Pro

Tuesday September 23, 2025 8:55 am PDT by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are still a year away, there are already a few rumors about the devices that offer an early look ahead. Below, we have recapped some of the early iPhone 18 Pro rumors so far. This story was published previously, and it has been updated to reflect the latest rumors. Many early rumors prove to be true, but nothing is confirmed yet, and Apple's...
iphone 17 pro dark blue 1

Apple Blames In-Store MagSafe Chargers for iPhone 17 Pro Display Model Scratches

Wednesday September 24, 2025 10:22 am PDT by
The marks on the iPhone 17 Pro models that people have noticed at Apple retail stores are caused by the chargers that Apple uses, Apple confirmed today. Apple told 9to5Mac that worn MagSafe charging stands in stores are causing marks on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Apple says that the marks are not scratches, and are instead material transfer from the stand to the phone. The...
ios 26 digital id passport wallet

Apple Confirms iOS 26 Wallet Passport Feature is Coming in 2025

Tuesday September 23, 2025 1:06 pm PDT by
Digital ID, the iOS 26 feature that lets U.S. passport holders add their passports to the Wallet app, is coming later in 2025, Apple confirmed today. Apple updated the release timing wording of Digital ID on its iOS 26 features page. "Digital ID will be coming later this year with US passports only," it reads. Prior to today, the footnote for the feature said "Digital ID will be available ...
maxresdefault

iPhone 17 Pro is Vulnerable to Scratching, But Not Where You Might Think

Tuesday September 23, 2025 2:18 pm PDT by
Early reports have suggested that the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air are more vulnerable to scratches and scuffs, primarily due to damage spotted at Apple Stores. Apple customers have discovered that the iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro models Apple has out for display at its retail locations have scratching in the area of the MagSafe charger. Those devices are handled by hundreds to thousands of...