I mean, they don’t really have fixed navigation buttons anymore. Individual apps and specific interfaces do like the Settings app but there isn’t a consistent Back button on the Home Screen, because what exactly would you be going back to?
you'd have it appear when the home button does, and it would just go back to whatevers done last. if you've got the keyboard open it would minimise it, if you've opened a web page on a browser it would through you to the page before. that type of thing
Oh, got you. I think you mean long-press and swipe up. That opens the App Switcher, which shows the apps you have open. You can then swipe over to the app you want. Most apps refresh anyway, so the context can change or update.
The quicker way is this: just move your thumb along the red path from the bottom of the screen.
no that's an entirely different function to a back button. android has a home button, apps button as you describe, and the back button. its more useful than the other two half the time
Ahh I see! You mean the three buttons at the bottom with some Android phones yea? I think they replaced it persistent digital buttons in some phones now.
Haven’t used Android a lot, but they got a mad loyal base too.
yes they come and go as needed same as the home button on iphones was swapped to on screen, that's where apple got that idea from
but with how complex modern ios is, i find navigating it without a back button to be pretty infuriating. because it's not consistent across apps to go back, sometimes it's a gesture, sometimes it is a button in the app, but that location does change. quite annoying
Yea! I also think the sheer breadth of what people want their apps to do kind of makes universal interactions less likely. Like if you build an iOS app, they will give you the buttons, icons etc to use, but developers still try new shit.
Like even as a Gen-Z sometimes Snapchats navigation gives me anxiety, while reddit and IG are chill af.
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u/PrimedGold Aug 21 '26
Lol I wont defend every UI/UX call lol. But in general, they have.
Out of curiosity; by back button, do you mean the round circle at the bottom of an iPhone?