Safari Favourites view changed from icon-only

Removal of Safari Favourites Icon only View?

I’m surprised I need to raise this issue.

I’ve used an iPhone since version 4.

Some great mind thought that removing the icon only favourites view in iOS 26 was a usability improvement. Oh, how I long for the days of Steve Jobs and Jony Ive.

With the icon only view it was possible to see on the order of 40+ shortcuts on one screen. It is said a picture is worth a thousand words. Apparently the designer of the new Safari missed the day this aphorism was discussed in industrial design and user interface design school. Apparently, I am now to believe that an expert has decided a list view with text that’s unnecessary and un-useful is “better”. The first rule of UI design is, “If it ain’t broke then don’t fix it.”

Now I can see 4 large icons without scrolling and perhaps about 8 small icons.

I must add that I particularly like the option to place folders at top. I’m clearly simple minded as I imagined this option if unchecked would move the folders to the bottom thus providing just a smidgen of additional favourites. However, I was mistaken as this simply removes the unnecessary text and formatting separating the folders and the favourites.

The favourites are called favourites for a reason. Anyone who has folders in their favourites list uses them to group — most often less favourite — favourites. They sure don’t warrant being placed at the top of the favourites list.

I’m seriously considering switching to a different brand. At least if my phone has poor usability I’ll feel some tiny solace at having paid much less

I’m off now to fix my wife’s iPhone as her usability options didn’t migrate. All options should migrate when possible on an OS upgrade. This is not a hard concept to understand or to implement.