Skip to Content

Slack Rolling Out Redesigned iPhone App With New Nav Bar

by

Slack is rolling out a redesigned iPhone app today, according to App Store release notes included in the latest update. The described changes don't appear to have propagated fully yet, but as soon as they do, users can expect an interface that's more in line with the Android redesign the company rolled out on May 5.

slack ios update may 2020

Previously, it was complicated to get to the four main things people do on mobile. We’ve fixed this with a new nifty navigation bar at the bottom of the app containing: a Home view for your sidebar, DMs, (still listed most recent first), Mentions (for quickly catching up), and You (because you’re great) (and also because setting your status/preferences on mobile needed to be easier).

Users of the desktop version of Slack will be familiar with the ubiquitous new floating compose button that now appears in the iPhone app's screens, as well as the ability to arrange channels in the Home tab.

Some of the interface's swiping gestures have also been changed, which will require users to adapt their usual navigation cues. "Now, swiping right will reveal your workspace and preferences, and swiping left will get you back to the last conversation you were in," read the release notes.

As The Verge notes, this update appears limited to the iPhone version of Slack, so iPad users will likely have to wait a little longer for the changes to take effect.

Slack is a free download for iPhone and ‌iPad‌ available on the ‌App Store‌, with paid subscriptions offered for larger businesses or those seeking advanced administration tools. [Direct Link]

Tag: Slack

Top Rated Comments

dzhukov Avatar
76 months ago
We’ve fixed this with a new nifty navigation bar at the bottom of the app
It feels like they haven't read iOS Human Interface Guidelines. It's Tab Bar, guys. Navigation Bar is the one at the top.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
philosopherdog Avatar
76 months ago
I’ve never understood why Slack is so popular. Their apps are terrible on all platforms. “Nifty tab bar!”!
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
76 months ago

I agree, I had to use it last year for an international project (people in the UK, New Zealand, etc.)... It was terrible, at some point I could hear my drive spin, RAM management was horrible and messages were disorderly displayed.

That's because it is an electron app - a web app packaged in a native application. I understand the appeal - it lets you reproduce your web app in a launchable app and has some native functionality, but it only gets you part way to a great app, and the performance is sub-par with memory usage that is much too high. There are so many things I would like Slack on Mac to do:
- native preferences window
- be able to open a conversation in its own window
- right-click on a message and see all of the commands instead of having to mouse all the way to the right to do anything with a message
- have a full menubar with all of the commands organized in it like a proper Mac app
and much more.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
H3LL5P4WN Avatar
76 months ago
If I wanted a disjointed, inferior user experience, I would have bought a robotphone. Developers need to quit putting hamberder and floating action buttons in their iOS apps.


it’s trendy for some reason. I think it’s an everyone else does it kind of thing. But yeah, I’m pretty sure their desktop app literally just loads the website. I also don’t know what it costs compared to alternatives like Microsoft Teams. Maybe it’s cheap...
The only reason I have it because I have "that one friend" that's a filthy green bubble peasant. Otherwise, we'd use iMessage.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Apple Event Logo

Apple Released Seven New Products Today

Wednesday March 11, 2026 7:05 am PDT by
Starting today, the seven new Apple products that were announced last week are available at Apple Stores and beginning to arrive to customers. The colorful MacBook Neo and all of the other new products are on display at most Apple Store locations around the world starting today. Apple Stores have inventory of the new products for both walk-in customers and Apple Store pickup, but...
iOS 27 Mock Quick

10+ New Features Coming in iOS 27

Friday March 13, 2026 2:13 pm PDT by
We're only three months away from Apple's WWDC 2026 event, which will see the company unveil iOS 27. With the fully revamped version of Siri possibly delayed until September, iOS 27 is shaping up to be the update we wanted iOS 26 to be. There will be new Apple Intelligence features, updates for the iPhone Fold, and more, with the latest rumors summarized below. Foldable iPhone Features...
Apple 50 Years of Thinking Different

Apple Announces 50th Anniversary Plans

Thursday March 12, 2026 6:10 am PDT by
Apple today announced that it will celebrate the company's 50th anniversary over the coming weeks, but it has yet to reveal any specific plans. Apple was founded on April 1, 1976, so the company will turn 50 on April 1, 2026. "While Apple is known for looking forward, this milestone offers a special moment to reflect on the journey that has brought the company here, to celebrate the...