iOS 27 Leak Details Major Tab Bar Overhaul

A new report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has given the clearest picture yet of the design changes coming in iOS 27, and one detail in particular stands out: Apple is finally addressing a key user frustration with the tab bars in the current operating system. According to Gurman, iOS 27 will feature redesigned tab bars across several built-in apps, merging the search tab back into the main row and potentially ending the controversial collapsing behavior introduced in iOS 26.

The report, published Wednesday, outlines a variety of systemwide updates planned for the next major iPhone software update, expected to be unveiled at WWDC 2027 in June. These include a redesigned Siri interface, upgrades to the Camera app, new animations for the keyboard and app switching, and a refreshed look for Safari, Image Playground, and Weather. But for many users, the most impactful change may be the overhaul of the tab bar system, a core component of the Liquid Glass design language that Apple introduced in 2025.

The Problem with iOS 26's Tab Bars

When Apple rolled out iOS 26, the centerpiece of the update was Liquid Glass, a translucent, glowing interface that reinterpreted how content, controls, and backgrounds interact. While the new aesthetic was widely praised for its visual polish and depth effects, one change proved divisive: the tab bars at the bottom of apps became semi-transparent, search was split into a separate floating button, and, crucially, the bars would collapse into a single small icon in the bottom-left corner when the user scrolled down.

This collapsing behavior was especially noticeable in frequently used apps like Photos, Music, and Podcasts. Instead of having the full row of tabs always visible, users had to tap the minimized icon to expand the bar, then tap again to select the desired tab. For heavy users, this extra step—repeated dozens of times daily—felt like a regression from the efficiency of iOS 18's tab bars, which remained fully visible and static. The design made sense for media browsing where immersion is key, but for navigation-heavy tasks, it added friction.

Gurman's latest leak suggests that Apple has heard the feedback. The report states that Apple is "tweaking the tab bar across the bottom of several apps to combine the search tab with the rest of an app's tabs." While the wording does not explicitly confirm the end of the collapsing feature, the implication is strong. If search is re-integrated into the main tab row, it becomes awkward to keep the collapsing behavior, because that would hide the search tab again immediately. Instead, Apple is likely reverting to always-visible tab bars, similar to how the App Store and Games apps already behave in iOS 26.4.

Liquid Glass Refinements: What to Expect

Beyond tab bars, Gurman mentioned that iOS 27 will bring "refinements" to Liquid Glass. This could include smoother animations, better dynamic lighting effects, and improved consistency across system apps. The report specifically calls out a new animation for the on-screen keyboard: keys will "slide up from the bottom of the iPhone's interface" rather than simply appearing. This kind of flourish aligns with Apple's focus on making every interaction feel tactile and responsive.

The redesigned Siri is another major piece. Previous leaks suggested Siri would get a floating, translucent interface that can handle more complex tasks without opening a full window. With iOS 27, the assistant is expected to integrate more deeply with Liquid Glass, possibly using animated color fields to indicate active listening or processing. The Camera app is also rumored to get a redesigned viewfinder that uses Liquid Glass elements for controls, making it easier to adjust settings without cluttering the image preview.

Why This Matters for the User Experience

The tab bar change is significant because it addresses one of the most visible pain points of the current system. User forums and social media have been filled with discussions about the collapsing tabs, with many asking Apple for a simple toggle to keep them visible. By listening to this feedback and likely reverting to a more traditional layout, Apple shows that it values usability over pure aesthetic minimalism. The move also brings consistency: in iOS 26, some apps (like News, Books, and TV) already keep the full tab bar visible while scrolling. iOS 27 would likely standardize that behavior across the board.

Moreover, integrating search back into the tab bar simplifies the interface. In iOS 26, the floating search button was separate from the tabs, which sometimes confused users who expected search to be part of the navigation bar. Returning to the integrated design makes the app navigation more intuitive, especially for new users. It also frees up one more spot in the tab bar, allowing for an additional category or tool in apps that need it.

Expanding the Scope of iOS 27

While tab bars are the main focus of this story, the overall iOS 27 update is shaping up to be one of the most substantial design refreshes in years. Besides the visual changes, there are rumors of enhanced multitasking capabilities, a redesigned Control Center that uses Liquid Glass layers, and improved privacy features that show how app permissions affect the system interface. The intersection of software design and user feedback will be a key theme at WWDC, where Apple is expected to position iOS 27 as a refinement of the foundation laid by iOS 26.

Industry analysts note that Apple's design philosophy has always been iterative. iOS 7 introduced a stark flat design that was later softened with translucency and depth in later versions. iOS 26's Liquid Glass was a bold leap, but it came with rough edges that iOS 27 is set to polish. The reported changes to tab bars are a clear sign that Apple is paying attention to how people actually use their iPhones every day.

What Users Are Saying

In response to the leak, online reaction has been largely positive. Many users who had been vocal about the collapsing tab bars expressed relief that Apple might finally fix it. A common comment across social media was, "This is exactly what I've been wanting since iOS 26 launched." The prospect of always-visible tabs combined with a cleaner search integration has generated excitement for the upcoming beta.

However, some users are cautious. They worry that Apple might retain the collapsing behavior in some apps while removing it in others, leading to inconsistency. Others hope that the new tab bar design will also offer customization options, such as rearranging or removing tabs. Given that Gurman's report only mentions standard apps, third-party developers will need to update their own Liquid Glass implementations to match.

Looking Ahead to WWDC

With WWDC just a few weeks away, more leaks are expected. The next big details could include specific release dates for the public beta, hardware announcements, and deeper dives into how developers can adopt the new tab bar behavior. For now, the news from Gurman provides a compelling reason for users on older iOS versions to look forward to updating. If Apple indeed resolves the tab bar issue, iOS 27 could become the version that makes Liquid Glass a truly mature design language.

As the ecosystem prepares for the next chapter, one thing is clear: Apple is not afraid to backtrack on design decisions that did not land well. The company’s willingness to refine and adjust—even within the span of a single major release—shows a commitment to user experience that has always defined the platform. Whether other lingering complaints, such as the complexity of the Camera app or the depth of Siri integration, will also be addressed remains to be seen. But for now, the news about tab bars gives iOS fans a solid reason to feel optimistic about the future of their favorite mobile operating system.

Stay tuned for more coverage as WWDC approaches. The official announcements will reveal exactly how far Apple has gone to refine its flagship OS.

Source: 9to5Mac News