We are just weeks from the next WWDC where Apple announces the next version of iOS. According to rumors, iOS 19 will be the biggest change as iOS 7 in terms of design, this time with a new interface that is allegedly inspired by Visionos.
I still remember the feeling of using iOS 7 for the first time on my iPhone 5 and it was like I was using a completely different phone. There was a lot to suffer and dislike, and even after all these years I still miss aspects of iOS 6. With that in mind, I decided to revise iOS 6 to see how much had changed from one version to the next – and what we can learn about the next dramatic shift.
Back to iOS 6: Another World
IOS 6 was announced in 2011 and although it wasn’t a huge update compared to the one who would follow, it was still quite controversial at that time. Most notably replaced Apple Google Maps with its own Maps app with iOS 6, which brought significant interface changes along with missing features and some major problems with locations.
Of course, iOS 6 is no longer supported by Apple and there is no official way to run it on iPhones and iPads. But if you still have an old device that was once compatible with iOS 6, you can downgrade your iPhone or iPad (although there are many things that no longer work on this version, including the aforementioned cards).
iOS 6 was a simpler time – with slide to unlock.
Foundry
With that in mind, my journey started with iOS 6 seeing the old Apple logo with a reflection effect on the boot, followed by the old setup screen. It alone brought back a lot of good memories. It’s hard to forget the linen -inspired background present in Setup, Notification Center and even Siri.
While iOS 7 and the versions that came after focusing on making everything too minimalist and modern, the old iOS interface was much more detailed with faux textures similar to reality objects (known as skeuomorphism): leather, wood, linen, etc.
Of course, the lock screen had no widgets or animated wallpapers, and the facial id was not a thing. Instead, users had to “slip to unlock”, a fun way to make first-time iPhone users familiar with multi-touch movements. There was also a sound effect of a padlock that was unlocked.
But the most notable feature of iOS 6 is the first thing you see when you unlock your iPhone: The Home screen. 3D design of the icons emerges from the screen when you see them on a device with a retina screen. This combined with the bold text gives the impression that you are looking at a printed page rather than pixels on a screen. Even the backgrounds, especially the water drops, were visually enticing.
The icons also had much more personality. The camera appicon looked like the rear sensor on the first iPhone rather than a generic camera, while apps like Passbook (formerly wallet) and contacts had a nice leather texture. This personality was also brought into each app’s interface.
The notes app looked like a real notepad with yellow paper pages and there is a nice subtle detail at the top to simulate cracked pages. Special attention was also paid to the animations of the system. If you created a new note, you would see an animation as if you had turned a page on a true notebook.
iOS 6’s skeuomorphism was a nod to the real devices it mimicked.
Foundry
In Passbook there was an impressive animation to delete tickets that simulated paper were shredded. Voting memos also looked cool on iOS 6 with the large metal microphone and a VU meter that responds when you speak or press the microphone. The volume indicator shines when you move the iPhone into your hand.
And then there is Siri. This was my favorite version of Siri interface, mostly because of its shiny microphone button with the glowing purple light that pulsed while talking. It felt so futuristic, yet real, as if you were actually interacting with a physical object.
iOS 6 was the culmination of five years of Apple Interface Design and everything felt more fun and vibrant.
iOS 7 arrived in 2013 and marked the first big iOS Redesign. Skeuomorphism gave way to a simpler interface with solid backgrounds and no structures. Stylized buttons were replaced by text and beautifully designed icons were replaced by flat shapes.
iOS 7: Modern but boring
It was a dramatic, even shocking change. On the one hand, iOS 7 looked much more modern than iOS 6. But on the other, fun interface elements also became more boring. In iOS 7, the notes app was just a white screen where you type text, and the same used the vast majority of iPhone and iPad apps.
We also lost many of the skeuomorphic animations that, though not needed, were a nice touch and always brought a smile to my face every time I saw them. With the change, iOS lost its personality and character.
iOS 7 removed much of an originality of iOS.
Foundry
Personally, I think iOS 7 marked the beginning of a new era for Apple. It explained a modern aesthetic that would not only be followed by Apple in its upcoming products, but also by other companies. Can you imagine a product like Apple Watch that runs something like iOS 6?
But at the same time, the personality that iOS had faded over time when the interface became flatter and, yes, dullers.
iOS 19: lessons from the past
Now that I have returned to iOS 18, it’s hard not to look at Apple’s current OS without thinking about the rumor of redesign. Although it is unclear whether iOS 19 -Redesign will be as significant as iOS 7 was, so watching iOS 6 again made me realize that Apple can learn a few things from its past.
iOS 6’s crooked interface may not fit into the current standards, but I would very much like to see some aspects of skeuomorphism make a comeback on iOS. Things like the reflection effect that move when you tilt your phone, and funny animations would definitely go far towards making iOS more fun and unique again.
Siri has undergone several changes over the years – will iOS 19 bring another?
Foundry
Interestingly, Apple seems to flirt with depth and realism again – just look at MacO’s Big Sur icons or the transparent glaze effects in Visionos. Bringing more shadows back and depth throughout the system would not hurt, especially when it comes to icons. I love Mac app icons because they have a good balance between modern and crooked.
And thank you, Apple. Give us some cool backgrounds again.
Could Apple surprise us by looking back to move on? Back when Apple launched iOS 7, it was about pushing iPhone into a modern era that would last for more than a decade. This year’s change is reportedly about consistency, and reports say the new design will expand to all devices, not just the iPhone. With that in mind, Apple has an opportunity to set a new path, not only iOS, but for all its operating systems that merge with functionality – and a little fun.