Apple Music drops its red: what the backlash to the black-and-white logo tells us
As Engadget reported on 14 October 2026, a new Apple Music icon appeared in an iOS beta. The white note that sat on a red background for years becomes a black-and-white design. Dark mode uses the reverse, white on black.
What changed?
- The note tilts further left, its bottoms are more oval and a subtle drop shadow was added.
- The full logo moves to a bolder, all-lowercase wordmark, first seen at the launch of Apple Music Hall in London.
- Red was removed from home screen widgets and the in-app pink-red tint became blue.
Reactions
Most user reactions are negative. The icon is called dull and unnecessary; one commenter called it "the worst logo change of all time." A smaller group says the red never made sense to them. The app is still in beta, so Apple could change the design before release.
The power of colour
The debate is a reminder: users often find an app on the home screen by colour before shape. That habit, built over years, is an asset the brand owns even if it never designed it deliberately. Changing colour can be a bigger decision than changing the logo.
The lesson for businesses: before refreshing, measure what your brand is actually recognised by. Sometimes it is the logo, sometimes the colour, sometimes a sound or a pack shape. Protecting the recognised asset is the first rule of a refresh.
If you want to talk about how your brand should adapt to these shifts, request a quote.
Source: Engadget, 14 October 2026
