Apple fans are up in arms over a recent change to the iPhone app in the latest iOS 26 update. The update, intended to improve the user experience, has instead sparked outrage and disappointment among loyal Apple users.
Many fans took to social media to express their dissatisfaction, with some even calling the change “just plain ugly.” It seems that Apple may have missed the mark with this update, causing frustration and confusion among its dedicated fan base.
The change in question is to the overall design of the iPhone app. Previously, the app had a sleek and minimalistic appearance that many users had grown accustomed to. However, with the new update, the design has been drastically altered, leaving many fans feeling like it no longer represents the iconic and sophisticated look of Apple products.
It’s one of the most-used apps on iPhone.
But if you’ve downloaded Apple’s iOS 26 Beta, you may have noticed a subtle change to the Clock app.
Since 2013, the iPhone’s Clock app icon has featured a white, circular clock against a black square. 
Now, it’s entirely white, with the 60 clock lines added around the outer edge.
While this doesn’t sound like a big deal, the simple change has left many iPhone users furious.
Taking to X, one wrote: ‘Am I the only one who didn’t like the clock icon?’
Another added: ‘Apple has made a real mess with this 26. I won’t be downloading it ever.’
Apple announced its next major iPhone update, iOS 26, at its Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) this week.
The update, described by Apple as ‘beautiful’, brings translucent, glass-like effects to app icons, the lock screen, and home screen.
'Meticulously crafted by rethinking the fundamental elements that make up our software, the new design features an entirely new material called Liquid Glass,' explained Alan Dye, Apple's vice president of Human Interface Design.
‘It lays the foundation for new experiences in the future and, ultimately, it makes even the simplest of interactions more fun and magical.’
As part of the update, Apple has tweaked several of its iPhone icons.
The AirDrop icon, which previously featured blue lines on a white background, now features a blue background with semi-transparent white lines.
The Translate icon has also been given an update, with a blue background in place of a black one.
However, the change to the Clock app is what seems to have really angered users.
On X, @applesclubs posted a comparison of the old and new Clock app icons and asked which one people preferred.
In response, one user said: ‘iOS 18 can’t read iOS 26,’ while another wrote: ‘Definitely the one in iOS 18.’
And another added: ’18. 26 is just plain ugly. but to each their own.’
iOS 26 is currently only available as a developer beta – an unfinished version of the software not for public release – with the full version expected around September later this year.
