In recent years, the alignment between iOS and macOS features has become more pronounced than ever. Currently, most macOS updates introduce capabilities that originated on the iPhone and iPad, occasionally with a unique touch. However, even with this alignment, some disparities remain, particularly concerning customization options. Here are a few recent personalization features available on the iPhone and iPad that have yet to reach the Mac.
Lock Screen Customization
With the launch of iOS 16 (and later iPadOS 17), Apple enabled lock screen customization for the iPhone and iPad, allowing users to incorporate custom widgets, adjust font styles, and more. While it was visually appealing, this level of personalization has not been extended to the Mac.
In macOS Sonoma, Apple did make some updates to the Lock Screen, but not to the same extent as seen on iOS and iPadOS. There were no widgets or options for font customization, which made it less visually striking compared to the redesigned lock screens on the other platforms.
Therefore, if Apple seeks inspiration for future macOS updates, true lock screen customization akin to other devices in the ecosystem would be a welcome addition.
App Icon Customization
With iOS and iPadOS 18, Apple introduced options for dark mode and tinting for app icons, allowing users some level of personalization for their iPhone home screens. While not everyone may appreciate the tinted icons, I find them appealing – it’s just an additional option.
However, that’s not the entire situation. Even prior to iOS 18, app developers could offer users the ability to change default app icons natively on iOS – no shortcut hacks needed. While macOS supports the option to customize app icons, it isn’t as prevalent as on iOS and iPadOS.
It may be improbable that app icon customization will become as widespread on macOS as it is on iOS, but it would be exciting to see such features introduced to the Mac.
Control Center Customization
In Apple’s latest updates, iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, a significant overhaul of the Control Center was introduced, enabling third-party apps to add toggles and allowing users to rearrange Control Center elements to their liking.
However, similar to the other features mentioned, macOS lacks this comprehensive level of customization. Although macOS Big Sur introduced Control Center, it has remained largely unchanged for over four years since its inception.
While I wouldn’t expect the same level of rearrangement options available on iOS, some degree of third-party integration would be a fantastic enhancement.
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