The recent discussions surrounding iOS 26, Liquid Glass, and the overall legibility of Apple’s software redesigns have not only affected iPhones but have also stirred considerable sentiment among macOS Tahoe users regarding app icons. A notable change has emerged that some believe complicates the user experience on Mac computers.
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From Finder to Macintosh HD: A Redesign Controversy
The controversy began with the Finder app, which has long held the first position on the Dock. With the introduction of macOS 26 beta 1, Apple altered the traditional color scheme of the Finder icon, flipping the familiar blue and white design. Although this alteration was quickly adjusted in the second developer beta, it set the stage for further changes. More recently, the modification of the Macintosh HD icon has drawn significant criticism. In macOS 26 developer beta 5, Apple replaced the longstanding icon that represented a detailed spinning hard disk drive. While visually appealing, this icon became outdated as Apple transitioned to solid state drives (SSDs). However, the analogy could also be questioned, as it would seem equally odd to use an outdated telephone symbol for the Phone app. Ideally, the Macintosh HD icon should reflect its current technology, perhaps being renamed to Mac SSD or Apple Drive, although this could risk losing the Mac’s full name in usage.
User Reactions to the New Macintosh HD Icon
Two primary concerns have emerged regarding the new Macintosh HD icon. Firstly, users are puzzled by the design, particularly the inclusion of holes in the drive icon. While the USB-C shaped hole offers some clarity, the additional three headphone jack-shaped holes appear to serve no functional purpose. A more straightforward representation would resemble a computer chip instead of a stylized external SSD. Secondly, users have noted the inconsistency in perspective between the drive icon and the Apple logo. The drive icon is oriented to show both the top and front, while the Apple logo suggests a top-down view. Interestingly, the initial impression might be that the design could work well as an external SSD, although Apple’s internal SSD pricing may deter such thoughts.
Customizing Drive Icons: A User-Friendly Feature
Fortunately, the situation with the Macintosh HD icon is less severe than that of the Finder app. Unlike in previous versions, macOS does not display the Macintosh HD icon on the desktop by default, meaning that only those who choose to show it will encounter the new design. Users can easily toggle its visibility from the Finder’s Settings menu. Additionally, macOS allows for the customization of drive icons, including Macintosh HD, enabling users to revert to the original icon if desired. In contrast, the Finder remains a permanent fixture on the Dock and lacks customization options for users.
User Feedback on Icon Legibility
Turning to broader concerns, the Mac operating system shares similar legibility issues with Liquid Glass on iOS and iPadOS. The glass layer effect applied to many app icons, which are now more aligned across devices, can create visual inconsistencies. While these icons may look impressive when enlarged, they can appear blurry when displayed at smaller sizes. The perception of blurriness can vary depending on individual vision capabilities; those with sharper eyesight may discern more detail, while others may find the new icon style challenging to view clearly. Some of the most notable instances of this issue were seen with the Photos app icon and certain third-party applications.
Apple’s Icon Strategy and Its Impact on Developers
Apple aims to motivate developers to update their app icons to align with the new layered glass aesthetic in macOS Tahoe. This update enforces a uniform squircle shape for all app icons, resulting in non-conforming icons being placed within a gray box. This automatic adjustment is reminiscent of changes made in iOS 26, where third-party app icons also adopted the layered glass appearance. However, this approach can lead to undesirable outcomes, as seen with apps like Slack and iA Writer, which may require enhancements for clarity. The gray box design not only detracts from the visual appeal but also complicates the user experience, making it harder to identify apps on the Dock.
Customizing App Icons to Overcome Limitations
Similar to the drive icons, users can customize app icons to eliminate the gray box issue, which I have done with Chrome and Pixelmator Pro while navigating the macOS Tahoe beta. However, relying on users to source and replace app icons is a considerable burden. While Apple’s own applications are likely to receive updates post-launch to rectify the gray box problem, the expectation that all third-party developers will conform to this new design immediately is ambitious. Unfortunately, it is the Mac users who bear the brunt of these design choices as they navigate the complexities introduced by these changes.
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