In a move that will surprise absolutely no one, Apple has finally caught up with a feature Android users have enjoyed for over a decade.
Yesterday, Apple announced iOS 18 with the intention to make the iPhone “more personal, capable, and intelligent than ever” by introducing a groundbreaking feature that has been available on Android since its inception: the ability to place app icons anywhere on the homescreen. Yes, you read that right. After 17 years of iPhone releases, iOS users can now enjoy the freedom Android users have taken for granted.
For nearly two decades, iPhone users have been restricted to a rigid grid layout, with apps snapping into place in a predetermined order. But with iOS 18, Apple has decided to loosen its iron grip, allowing users to place app icons wherever they please. This new feature permits blank spaces, rows, and columns between app icons, letting users reveal more of their beloved wallpapers.
In addition to this revolutionary (for Apple) feature, iOS 18 also introduces a dark tint option for app icons. Now, users can choose from various color options, giving their homescreens a fresh look. Icons can be manually set to dark or light mode, or they can automatically adjust based on whether dark mode is enabled on the iPhone.
While this may sound like a groundbreaking innovation to the Apple faithful, Android users can’t help but chuckle. The freedom to customize homescreens has been a staple of the Android experience since day one. Widgets, custom icon packs, launchers, and the ability to arrange apps at will have long been part of the Android ecosystem.
Android users might be tempted to say, “Welcome to 2008, Apple,” as they watch their iPhone-using friends discover the joy of a more personalized homescreen. Meanwhile, the Android community continues to look ahead, enjoying the advanced customization options they’ve become accustomed to over the years.
So, while iPhone users celebrate their newfound freedom, Android users can sit back, relax, and enjoy the features they’ve been enjoying for years, all while eagerly awaiting the next innovation Apple will introduce – likely another feature that Android users have had for years.
