Apple Moves End Call Button Back to Middle of the Screen in Latest iOS Developer Beta
In a surprising move, Apple has reversed its decision to relocate the end call button on its iPhone screens. The company had previously considered moving the button to the lower right corner, but in the newest developer version of iOS 17 released on Tuesday, the end call button made its way back to the middle of the screen.
According to CNBC, previous beta versions of iOS 17 had shifted the “End Call” button to the lower right-hand corner, departing from its usual placement centered in the bottom half of the screen. However, in the most recent developer beta, the button has returned to its familiar position.
It’s important to note that this user interface change by Apple is not yet final and is currently only available in the developer’s beta. The purpose of the developer and public beta release programs is to allow software makers and early adopters to test the new iPhone operating system and identify any potential bugs before the official release in the fall alongside new iPhones.
This decision comes as Apple revamps its call ID function, introducing a feature called “contact posters,” which lets users choose the photo that appears when they call another iPhone user. With the new photos taking up most of the screen during a phone call, Apple has moved the buttons to the bottom for better visibility.
This isn’t the first time Apple has made adjustments to its user interface. Back in summer 2021, the company considered moving the URL bar in Safari to the bottom of the page for a more ergonomic experience on larger screens. However, Apple ultimately gave users the option to revert to the traditional top placement before the official software release. In recent years, Apple has also shifted the location of push notifications to the bottom of the iPhone’s screen.
As of now, Apple’s decision to return the end call button to the middle of the screen reflects the company’s attempt to balance innovation with user familiarity and convenience. Whether this change will be implemented in the final version of iOS 17 remains to be seen, but Apple continues to refine its features based on user feedback and usability.