The rollout of iOS 17 brought with it a wave of changes to the iPhone experience, some welcomed, others… not so much. Among the updates causing a stir, particularly within the realm of messaging, is the revamped access to GIFs in iMessage. What was once a seemingly seamless, one-click process has now become a multi-step navigation, leaving many users scratching their heads and voicing their discontent. The common sentiment echoing across online forums and social media? “Why did they make it harder?”
For years, sending a GIF in iMessage was a breeze. A simple tap on the dedicated GIF icon nestled conveniently below the text box, and users were instantly transported to a world of animated reactions ready to be shared. However, with iOS 17, this intuitive feature has been tucked away, requiring users to tap the “+” icon to the left of the text field, then potentially tap “More,” and finally locate the #images app – if it’s even visible.
This shift has not been met with silent acceptance. Instead, users are actively expressing their frustration, questioning the logic behind what they perceive as a significant downgrade in user experience. As one user, Emi16, aptly points out, “Why did they add more clicks to get to it?” This sentiment is echoed by mike0411, who laments, “You have seemingly turned a zero step process into a 3 step process. For maybe one of the most used features in text messaging.”
The core of the issue lies in the increased number of steps required to perform a frequently used action. Users like jiff23 highlight the regression, stating, “Previously you could search gifs with one click, now you have to do with three steps.” This sentiment of increased effort is a common thread in the user feedback. The update, intended to streamline and improve, has ironically created a more cumbersome and less efficient process for GIF enthusiasts.
Beyond the added clicks, some users are encountering further hurdles. Lesleyxan, for instance, reports the #images icon missing entirely, despite updating to iOS 17.1 and resetting settings. This suggests that the issue isn’t merely about the changed location, but potentially a bug or configuration problem affecting some users’ access to GIFs altogether. Emi16 also notes the clutter in the “More” section, questioning the relevance of numerous apps appearing in the messaging interface, further complicating the search for the desired #images app.
While some users, like Its_meeeee, have discovered workarounds such as rearranging the app icons for quicker access, the fundamental question remains: why fix what wasn’t broken? The update, rather than simplifying, has seemingly introduced unnecessary complexity to a beloved feature. The frustration is palpable, with users like maribethT threatening to switch to competitors like Samsung, citing ease of use and better quality as deciding factors. 44Groove’s comment, calling the update “virtual sadism,” underscores the depth of user dissatisfaction.
In essence, the user response to the iMessage GIF update in iOS 17 can be summarized as: “Apple, I learned it from watching you – or at least, how things used to be. This isn’t an improvement.” The phrase, often associated with mimicking observed behaviors, takes on a slightly ironic twist here. Users are implying that Apple, in its pursuit of updates, has seemingly forgotten the lessons of intuitive design and user-friendly interfaces that it once championed. The hope now rests on Apple listening to this feedback and considering revisions that prioritize user experience and reinstate the simple joy of sharing a perfectly timed GIF in iMessage. For now, users are navigating the extra clicks, rearranging their menus, and collectively wondering, “What were they thinking?”
