The upcoming iOS 19 update from Apple is set to feature a completely redesigned user interface, marking the first major design change in several years. Recent leaks have shed light on additional details regarding this anticipated overhaul. The new iteration is rumored to introduce rounder app icons and a refined “floating” tab view within applications, along with significant updates to Apple’s built-in apps that may take cues from visionOS.
Floating Tabs and Aesthetic Enhancements in iOS 19
In a recent video on the FrontPageTech YouTube channel, insider Jon Prosser showcased mockups of iOS 19 derived from leaked internal versions of the software. Prosser indicated that the update will feature a revamped Tab View that will hover above the smartphone’s bottom edge, similar to the layout seen in visionOS applications.
Additionally, Prosser suggested that there will be redesigns of app icons. While the traditional iOS icons have always featured a squarish shape with rounded edges, iOS 19 is expected to introduce a version with an even rounder aesthetic. Unlike the circular icons often found on stock Android devices, these icons will retain the ‘squircle’ form but with a softer, rounded appearance compared to those of iOS 18 and earlier editions.
In previous months, Prosser also revealed mockups showcasing redesigned applications for iOS 19, featuring design elements reminiscent of the ‘glassy’ style introduced with visionOS for the Apple Vision Pro headset.
A few updates Apple has already released appear to hint at the design direction for the forthcoming iOS. For instance, a variation of the new “floating” tabs is currently present in the revamped Photos app on iOS 18, and similar glass-like design elements have been integrated into the Invites app that Apple launched earlier this year.
Nevertheless, caution is advised regarding these claims. In his recent Power On newsletter, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman noted that many of the shared mockups are based on outdated builds of iOS 19.
Users will not have to wait long to see the final look of iOS 19, as Apple has confirmed the date for its upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC 2025). The event is slated to commence on June 9, during which the company is expected to unveil updates for iOS, macOS, and other devices.
