The latest iOS 18 update has brought a significant overhaul to the Apple Mail app, but the redesign has been met with widespread criticism from users. The new layout separates emails into categories such as Primary, Transactions, Updates, and Promotions, and adds contact photos to each sender, aligning with the company's new branding features for businesses across the iOS ecosystem.

However, many users have taken to social media to express their discontent with the update, describing it as "completely unreliable," "indecipherable," and "so ugly." Some have even gone as far as to wish the app's UX designers would "poop hedgehogs," a testament to the strong negative reaction to the redesign.

One of the primary concerns with the new design is that it makes it more likely for users to miss important messages. The categorization system, while intended to simplify email management, has been criticized for being difficult to navigate and visually unappealing. The addition of contact photos, while convenient in certain contexts, has been seen as unnecessary clutter in the Mail app.

Fortunately, users can opt out of the new design and revert to the previous layout. By accessing the three-dot menu in the upper right corner of the Mail app and selecting "List View" instead of "Categories," users can restore their inbox to its previous setup. However, this does not remove the contact photos, which can still be distracting and unnecessary.

To completely remove the contact photos, users can follow these steps: open the Settings app, scroll to the bottom of the screen, and select the "Apps" section. From there, find the Mail app and toggle off the "Show Contact Photos" option under the "Message List" section. This will remove the contact photos from the Mail app, providing a cleaner and less cluttered interface.

The backlash against the Apple Mail app redesign highlights the challenges of making significant changes to a widely used application. While the intention behind the update may have been to improve the user experience, the execution has fallen short, leaving many users frustrated and disillusioned. As Apple continues to evolve its ecosystem, it will be important for the company to listen to user feedback and make adjustments accordingly.

In the meantime, users are left to navigate the new design and find workarounds to make the Mail app functional for their needs. Perhaps this is also an opportunity for users to reevaluate their email habits and unsubscribe from unwanted mailing lists, reducing clutter and improving their overall digital experience.