Are you among those who are voicing their complaints?
Apple fans seem to be experiencing an unexpected divide due to changes in the latest iOS 26 Beta, specifically regarding the redesign of the Watch app icon.
What many initially deemed a small cosmetic change has sparked significant backlash from iPhone users online.
Since 2013, the iPhone’s clock icon has featured a distinctive white clock face set against a black square. However, this classic icon has seen an update in iOS 26, a change revealed earlier this week during Apple’s Global Developer Conference (WWDC).
Now, the display shows a completely white background with clock markings around the edge.
Even if it might seem minor at first, many users have taken to social media platforms, particularly X, to express their concerns.
“Am I the only one who doesn’t like the new watch icon?” questioned one user, as reported by Daily Mail.
Another user commented, “Apple really messed this up. I’m not downloading it.”
The popular Apple fan account @ApplesClubs encouraged followers to compare the old and new icons side by side.
One user noted, “iOS 18 can’t handle iOS 26,” while another dismissed the new look as “Just Plane Ugly.”
These icon updates are part of a larger redesign in iOS 26, which showcases what Apple refers to as the “liquid glass” aesthetic.
Alan Dye, Apple’s vice president of Human Interface Design, explained that the redesign aims to create a software experience that is “intuitive, beautiful, and fun.”
Besides the clock icon, other apps have also undergone visual updates. For example, Airdrop now features a blue background with translucent white lines, and the translation app has shifted from a black background to blue. Yet, the revised Watch icon seems to have drawn the most intense reactions from users.
Currently, iOS 26 is only available to developers but is expected to be accessible to the public this fall.
This gives Apple some time to reconsider or at least brace for more heated feedback from users who may not be ready to say goodbye to their beloved old icons.
