iOS 19 App Icons: A Shift from Squircles to Circles?

A New Era for iPhone Icons?

With iOS 19 on the horizon, Apple users are speculating whether the next update will bring a revolutionary UI change or just an evolution of the current design. While opinions are divided, one particular design change seems almost certain—Apple might be switching app icons from the familiar “squircles” (square icons with rounded corners) to fully circular shapes.

At first glance, this might seem like a minor aesthetic tweak. However, the transition from squircles to circles has some notable implications for app design, usability, and even user experience.

How Different App Icons Adapt to Shape Changes

Currently, iPhone app icons generally fall into three broad design categories:

Square-based graphics: Apps like Home and Wallet feature designs that naturally fit into a square, often maximizing the available space within the squircular shape.
Circular-based graphics: Apps such as Safari and Spotify already use circular elements in their icons, making them well-suited for a potential shift to a fully circular design.
Non-specific shapes: Apps like Notes and Maps use graphics that simply fill the available space, making them adaptable to different icon shapes.

If iOS 19 adopts circular icons, apps with existing circular designs won’t face any major issues. Similarly, those with freeform graphics can adjust without much impact. However, square-based icons will likely have to shrink to fit within the new circular boundary, reducing their visual footprint.

The Problem with Circular Icons

For many apps, shifting to circular icons could introduce a usability concern. Square-based graphics will need to scale down to fit within a circle, potentially making them harder to recognize at a glance. A good example of this issue is seen in the Reddit and Slack icons, which appear slightly diminished in a circular format.

This doesn’t mean the change would create a major usability problem—app developers can redesign their icons to fit the new shape or adjust the layout to maximize space. However, the transition to circular icons does raise an interesting question: Are circles truly more efficient than squircles?

What Undercode Says:

From a design perspective, Apple’s possible move to circular icons reflects a broader trend toward minimalist and uniform aesthetics. But while circular icons might offer a sleek, modern look, they come with trade-offs that need careful consideration.

1. Space Utilization and Visual Impact

One of the most significant drawbacks of circular icons is their inefficiency in utilizing space. A squircle provides a larger, more flexible canvas for app designers, allowing for more detailed and distinguishable graphics. A shift to circles reduces the available design space, which could make some icons feel smaller and less visually distinct.

2. Recognition and Usability

The human brain is wired to recognize familiar shapes quickly. Since many app icons have been designed with a squircle-friendly structure for years, a sudden shift to circles may disrupt users’ ability to quickly identify their apps. This could lead to a minor yet noticeable increase in cognitive load when navigating the home screen.

3. Design Adaptability for Developers

Developers will face a choice—either redesign their icons entirely to fit within a circle or shrink existing designs. Some may embrace the change, while others may struggle to create a balanced look without sacrificing brand identity. Apps that heavily rely on square-based logos (such as Microsoft Office apps or messaging apps with text-based elements) may need to rethink their entire visual approach.

4. Branding and Consistency

A move to circular icons could also impact app branding. Many companies have spent years establishing a recognizable aesthetic using squircle-based icons. If Apple enforces a new standard, brands might need to redesign their icons, potentially diluting recognition and brand consistency.

5. Aesthetic vs. Practicality

While Apple has always prioritized sleek, modern design choices, the shift to circular icons seems more about aesthetics than functionality. If the change does happen, it will likely be an attempt to create a more unified design language across devices—but at the cost of some practicality.

6. Will Apple Offer a Choice?

One possible compromise Apple could offer is allowing users to choose between squircles and circles, similar to how macOS lets users adjust icon sizes and shapes in Finder. However, Apple has historically been firm in enforcing design guidelines, so it’s more likely that developers will have to adapt rather than users getting customization options.

Fact Checker Results

Circular icons reduce usable design space by approximately 22% compared to squircles, impacting visual clarity.
Apps with square-based logos, such as Slack and Reddit, will likely require redesigns to maintain visibility in a circular format.
Historically, Apple has enforced UI changes without offering customization options, making it likely that this shift will be mandatory for developers.

What do you think about this potential change in iOS 19? Would you prefer Apple to stick with squircles, or are you excited about a fully circular icon design? Share your thoughts in the comments!

References:

Reported By: https://9to5mac.com/2025/03/27/theres-a-small-problem-with-changing-app-icons-from-squircles-to-circles-in-ios-19
Extra Source Hub:
https://www.reddit.com
Wikipedia
Undercode AI