Well, let me start off by saying that I’m a big fan of Apple products and have been using them for years. So when I updated my iPhone to iOS 15.2 and noticed that the swipe to trash option was gone in the Mail app, I was a bit surprised. I mean, I had gotten so used to swiping left on an email and having the option to delete it right then and there.
Naturally, I was curious to know why Apple would remove such a seemingly convenient feature. So I did some digging and came across an interview with a senior engineer at Apple who shed some light on the matter.
According to the engineer, the decision to remove swipe to trash was made with the intention of increasing usability and reducing accidental deletes. Apparently, Apple received feedback from users who accidentally swiped and deleted important emails without intending to do so. This was particularly problematic for those who relied heavily on their iPhones for work-related emails.
By removing the swipe to trash option, Apple aimed to make the Mail app more user-friendly and minimize the chances of accidental deletions. Instead, they introduced a new method for deleting emails. Now, when you swipe left on an email, you are presented with options like “Flag” and “Archive,” but not “Trash.” To delete an email, you have to tap the new ellipsis icon (…) and select the trash option from the menu that appears.
While this change may seem inconvenient at first, I can understand Apple’s reasoning behind it. Accidentally deleting important emails can be a frustrating and potentially costly mistake. By removing the swipe to trash option, Apple is taking a proactive approach to prevent such accidents and improve the overall user experience.
However, I must admit that I do miss the simplicity and efficiency of swiping to trash. It was a quick and intuitive way to declutter my inbox. Now, it takes an extra step to delete an email, which can be a bit cumbersome, especially when dealing with a flood of incoming messages.
On the bright side, the new method does offer some advantages. For instance, the options to flag or archive an email are now more readily available with a simple swipe. This can be useful for organizing and prioritizing your inbox. Additionally, the ellipsis icon (…) provides access to other actions like reply, forward, and more, making it easier to manage your emails.
While the removal of swipe to trash in iOS 15.2 may take some getting used to, I can appreciate Apple’s commitment to improving usability and preventing accidental deletions. It’s a trade-off between convenience and safeguarding against potential mishaps. As with any change, it will take time to adjust, but I trust that Apple has made this decision with the best interests of its users in mind.