GoKawiilApple lets iOS 27 users hide or swap iMessage's audio recording button
iOS 27 adds a settings option letting users replace the iMessage waveform icon—used to start voice recordings—with a microphone icon for dictation, or remove the button entirely. The change addresses a common complaint about accidentally tapping the button while typing, which triggers a voice recording and stops any playing music. Singer Justin Bieber had drawn attention to the issue in a viral Instagram post criticizing the button's placement.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
Apple has not confirmed whether Bieber's post prompted the update, but the timing suggests public complaints about small UI annoyances can sometimes influence design changes at major tech companies. The customization option reflects a broader trend of giving users more control over default interface behaviors rather than one-size-fits-all designs.
- iOS 27 lets users hide or replace iMessage's audio recording button
- Options include a microphone icon for dictation or no button at all
- Justin Bieber's viral complaint about accidental taps may have contributed to the change
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See Apple iPhone 16 on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: engadget.com — Jonny Evans, 2026-09-22
Published there as: “iOS 27: How to hide or replace the audio button in iMessages”
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