All the Design Changes Rumored for iOS 19 So Far

Apple is going to unveil iOS 19 in just about two months at its June WWDC event, and rumors suggest that it's going to bring a big change to the iPhone's design. It's been described as the most notable design overhaul since iOS 7, so it should be an exciting update.

iOS 19 visionOS UI Elements
We've rounded up everything we've heard so far about the design changes coming to iOS 19.

  • visionOS-like design with translucency - iOS 19 is inspired by visionOS, which has an emphasis on translucency and UI elements that kind of fade into the background to put the focus on content. iOS 19 could lean heavily into that translucency, with Apple also opting for a floating look for navigation bars, windows, and other parts of the UI.
  • A glassier look - Remember the Aqua Mac interface? iOS 19 has been described as having glass effects or as being glossy, with menu elements that can "reflect" light based on ‌iPhone‌ tilt.
  • Subtle lighting effects - The "glassy" look involves subtle lighting changes, such as a slight glint for some UI elements when you move the ‌iPhone‌. The Flashlight and Camera controls on the Lock Screen reportedly have a glass-like sheen that shimmers with movement, for example.
  • More rounded, expanding buttons - Along with a soft, floating look, navigation bars and buttons could have more rounded edges that blend better with the content behind them. In the Photos app, for example, photos could be full screen with controls in a slimmed down menu bar at the bottom rather than a full navigation strip. Haptic Touch menus, Control Center options, and permission prompts apparently have more rounded corners, too.
  • Pill-shaped tab bars - Many apps like the App Store, Apple Music, Apple TV, ‌Photos‌, Phone, and more have been described as having pill-shaped tab bars at the bottom for accessing controls. There's also less transitioning. Search, for example, doesn't have its own dedicated interface, and instead expands out from the tab bar.
  • Round app icons, maybe - Leaker Jon Prosser says that Apple is going to make the ‌iPhone‌'s icons rounder, though he is unclear if they will be entirely circular or some kind of cross between a circle and the current squircle.
  • Simplified navigation and controls - Apple wants to make it easier to navigate through apps, System settings, and more, so expect a more streamlined experience.
  • Cross-platform cohesiveness - These design changes aren't just coming to iOS - iPadOS and macOS will also get the same overhauled look, so it will be less jarring going from a Mac to an ‌iPhone‌ and vice versa.

Read More

We're keeping track of the iOS 19 rumors in our dedicated iOS 19 roundup, which also has details on Apple Intelligence features, new app capabilities, compatibility, and more.

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Top Rated Comments

Reason077 Avatar
9 months ago
visionOS has good reasons for it’s translucent UI elements and glass pane effects.

But in a phone UI, elegant simplicity really is better than flashy effects. Shiny glass UI elements may be pretty, but they distract from content. Go too far and they become garish.

Let’s hope Apple keeps things simple and subtle!
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kylo83 Avatar
9 months ago
what about actual new features. and this is just a paint job, where as mark said its more than just a paint job
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
0049190 Avatar
9 months ago
From what I’ve read so far I don’t see any signs of a major design overhaul. I hope the keynote in June will reveal a lot more interesting changes.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
StellarVixen Avatar
9 months ago
IMHO, a welcome departure from the boring, flat and unintuitive design that has overstayed its welcome (if it was ever welcome, I’ve been waiting almost 15 years for it to go away).
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
arthurgd3 Avatar
9 months ago

visionOS has good reasons for it’s translucent UI elements and glass pane effects, but iOS can’t say the same.

Elegant simplicity really is better than flashy effects when it comes to UI elements. Let’s hope Apple keeps things simple and subtle!
The line between form and function is always a fine one and a lot can be subjective as to what is the better route to take but I'm also someone that gets tired of the same design for too long regardless of how much I may have liked it or have found value in it when it was introduced so I'm all for this revised look until this too gets to the point of stagnant.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
niseilat Avatar
9 months ago
The Home Screen is going to be paginated vertically instead of horizontally
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)