【2022 Archives】

Twitter just got a major facelift.

022 Archivescompany just unveiled a series of changes, including a major overhaul of its iOS app, as well as changes to the look and feel of some of its most important features, like the reply button.

Among the most immediately noticeable changes: users' profile photos now appear as round icons instead of squares, and the reply button has changed from an arrow to a chat bubble. (Twitter's VP of User Research and Design Grace Kim says this was to make things less confusing for new users who often confused the reply button with a "back" or "delete" function.)

iOS users will see even more changes. The profile tab has been removed from the bottom of the app to a pull out tray on the left side, similar to Twitter's Android app. This is the same menu where you can find account settings, lists, Moments you've created as well as the option to switch accounts.

Twitter also made a small change to how links behave inside of the service. Now, instead of appearing in Twitter's own in-app browser, outside links will launch in Safari's in-app browser, which could make it easier for people to sign into accounts on other website directly from Twitter links.

Finally, tweets on both Twitter's iOS and Android apps update in real-time so you can keep track of replies and retweets as they come in — without refreshing.

In a blog post, Kim said the changes were meant to bring the product in line with changes to the brand made last year (when Twitter started reminding everyone that it's all about live) though it sounds like Twitter is still trying to improve things for new users.

"We took a new approach to fix and make better," Kim wrote.