5 Lost iOS Features We Hope Apple Brings Back in iOS 19

5 Lost iOS Features We Want to See Return in iOS 19

Apple is expected to unveil its latest operating system, iOS 19, at WWDC 2025. While the tech giant is rumored to be focusing on AI advancements and a design overhaul inspired by visionOS, many users are hoping for the return of beloved features that were removed in previous updates. This article explores five such features that could significantly enhance the user experience if brought back with a modern twist.

1. Game Center App

Apple removed the standalone Game Center app with iOS 10 in 2016, integrating its functionality into the Settings app. However, with the growing gaming ecosystem on iPhones, including AAA titles and streaming services, a dedicated Game Center app is sorely needed. It could serve as a central hub for all gaming needs, offering features like a game launcher, screen capture tools, social sharing, and performance tuning.

• Current State: Integrated into Settings, lacks dedicated features.
• Desired Features: Standalone app, game launcher, screen capture, social sharing, performance tuning.
• Inspiration: Backbone app for mobile gaming.

2. Landscape Home Screen

Previously available on the first-generation iPhone Plus models, the landscape home screen offered a unique way to utilize larger screen real estate. While Apple introduced the Standby mode, which utilizes a landscape orientation, a full landscape home screen with enhanced functionality could further improve the iPhone experience, especially with rumors of a desktop mode for iPhones and the development of foldable devices.

• Past Implementation: Available on iPhone 6 Plus, offered extra functionalities.
• Current Relevance: Standby mode, rumors of iPhone desktop mode, foldable phone development.
• Potential: Enhanced multitasking and a more desktop-like experience.

3. Full-Screen Siri

Siri's current interface is minimal, but with the advancements in AI, a more robust and visually engaging full-screen experience is desired. Competitors like Google Gemini offer more comprehensive AI interactions, including visual understanding and conversational capabilities. Bringing Siri back to a full-screen interface with dedicated controls could make it a more powerful and intuitive assistant, integrating features like Visual Intelligence and ChatGPT seamlessly.

• Past Interface: Full-screen, but limited capabilities.
• Current AI Advancements: Visual Intelligence, ChatGPT integration.
• Competitor Comparison: Google Gemini's advanced features.
• Proposed Solution: Full-screen interface with dedicated controls for AI features.

4. Live Wallpapers

Live Wallpapers, which animated when the screen was long-pressed, were a popular feature removed with iOS 16. With Apple's advancements in AI, particularly text-to-image and text-to-video capabilities, the return of live wallpapers with user customization options would be a welcome addition. This could allow users to create dynamic and personalized backgrounds, enhancing the visual appeal of their iPhones.

• Previous Functionality: Animated wallpapers activated by long-press.
• Reason for Removal: Long-press gesture now used for lock screen customization.
• New Possibilities: AI-powered creation of dynamic wallpapers.
• User Benefit: Enhanced personalization and creative expression.

5. 3D Touch

Despite being replaced by Haptic Touch, 3D Touch, which utilized pressure-sensing for contextual actions, remains a missed feature for many users. Reviving 3D Touch with iOS 19 could unlock new possibilities for AI integration, allowing for pressure-sensitive interactions with apps and AI assistants. This could enable more nuanced control, such as initiating AI summarization or translation directly from a pressure-sensitive tap on a recording.

• Core Functionality: Pressure-sensitive contextual actions.
• Replacement: Haptic Touch, which lacks the same depth.
• AI Integration Potential: Contextual AI actions (summarization, translation) via pressure.
• User Control: Enhanced interaction and delegation of tasks to AI.

Conclusion:

As Apple prepares to launch iOS 19, the anticipation for new features is high. While AI is expected to be a major focus, the return of these five cherished features could significantly improve the iPhone user experience, blending nostalgia with cutting-edge technology.