GoKawiilApple tests black-and-white redesign of Apple Music's red note icon in iOS 27.2 beta
Apple is testing a new Apple Music app icon in iOS 27.2 beta 4 that replaces the familiar red beamed-eighth-note logo with a black-and-white version, plus an inverted white-on-black variant for dark mode. The redesign also tilts the notes slightly, rounds their shape, adds a subtle drop shadow, and extends to removing red from home-screen widgets and switching the app's internal pink/red tint to blue. It follows an earlier shift to a bolder, lowercase wordmark introduced alongside Apple Music Hall in London.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
Reactions reported on social media and by Cult of Mac have skewed negative, with many calling the new look dull compared to the color version, though some users prefer the minimalist style. Because the design is still in beta, Apple could revise it before public release, but the company has historically kept contested redesigns once committed. The change suggests Apple may be pursuing a broader, more monochrome visual identity across its apps, following the pattern of its recent lowercase wordmark shift.
- Apple Music's icon in iOS 27.2 beta 4 drops its red color for black-and-white (and inverted dark-mode) versions.
- The update also removes red from widgets and changes in-app accent color from pink/red to blue.
- Early user reaction is mostly critical, though the design remains subject to change before final release.
Source: engadget.com — Steve Dent, 2026-10-14
Published there as: “People are hating on Apple Music's redesigned black-and-white logo”
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