Apple Removes ‘classic Mode’ Camera Option in Final iOS 26 release
october 2, 2025 – Apple has removed a setting in the final release of iOS 26 that allowed users to revert to a previously familiar camera interface. The option, initially available in the first betas of iOS 26, addressed user complaints regarding changes to the camera’s swipe-to-switch-mode functionality.
the update to the iPhone camera interface, which relocated buttons and altered the gesture-based mode switching, has proven divisive. Users accustomed to the older system reported difficulty and frustration with the new controls.
“I don’t understand why they complex something that worked perfectly,” one user commented online. another stated, “Capturing a rapid photo now requires several attempts.”
Apple had seemingly acknowledged these concerns by including a “classic Mode” within the iOS 26 beta, accessible through Settings > Camera. Selecting this mode restored the original swipe behavior. However,this option was removed before the public launch of iOS 26.
The final version of iOS 26 does include other improvements, such as battery optimization, app performance enhancements, and accessibility updates. But the removal of the Classic Mode setting has drawn criticism, with some users perceiving the update as prioritizing aesthetics over functionality.
It remains unclear whether Apple will reinstate the option in future iOS updates, such as iOS 26.1. The simplicity of the feature-appearing in early betas-has led some to question why Apple would eliminate a customization option favored by a segment of its user base.
