Apple engineers are still working to cut the differences that exist between the two platforms, iOS and macOS, but still there are some elements that are missing at macOS, making it look like there are some bridges between the two platforms. Although Apple has integrated many iOS features in macOS over the years, some things only exist on iOS and haven’t been ported over to desktops and laptops. Below are three main features that iOS users can have, but macOS still does not support them.
Features iOS Has That macOS Still Lacks
Home Screen Customization: Perhaps the most obvious feature that differs iOS from macOS is the amount of freedom you have in terms of interface customization. It is possible to rearrange icons, add and delete widgets, and even skin the apps that appear on the screen on iOS devices. However, there are quite limited options to make the Australian Mac desktop layout flexible, including the ability to set wallpaper or icon positions on the desktop for Mac computers.
Focus Mode: Follow Focus Mode, which was added on iOS, lets the user select how they want to be notified and how apps should interact with them based on the environment they are in or what they are doing. This feature is useful for increasing efficiency and decreasing interruptions on iPhones and iPads but does not receive such careful attention with macOS yet. Although the Mac operating system has “Do Not Disturb,” the feature is not as versatile as it is on the iPhone operating system, and people using macOS wish there was more they could do to curb the alerts their device is sending.
App Clips: Similar to web clips, App Clips provide a short tactical experience for iOS users with no reason to download the complete application. This feature is quite useful in cases such as one-time buying and instant use of certain applications’ elements. Yet, while App Clips have found their place on iPhones and iPads, Apple’s macOS still lacks similar functionality. This absence can be annoying to the users, especially those who consider the app content useful, yet they are not willing to download full versions.
Apple is still experimenting with how deeply iOS and macOS are intertwined, but for the moment it is clear that they remain different entities; some macOS users certainly feel like they are missing out on the differentiation and freedom iOS offers. It might be that the missing links will be fixed in later macOS releases and there’ll be a much more integrated experience across Apple hardware moving forward.
Lock Screen Customization: A Feature Missing in macOS
Apple is still experimenting with how deeply iOS and macOS are intertwined, but for the moment it is clear that they remain different entities; some macOS users certainly feel like they are missing out on the differentiation and freedom iOS offers. It might be that the missing links will be fixed in later macOS releases and there’ll be a much more integrated experience across Apple hardware moving forward.
One of the biggest changes Apple has ever made for its users is the lock screen customization in iOS 16 and iPadOS 17. With such features, iPhone and iPad users can place widgets on the home screen, as well as apply new fonts or choose the Lock Screen style. This feature has been widely appreciated, thanks to which device users can change various aspects of their gadgets in terms of performance and design, which makes their gadgets not only useful but also beautiful.
Still, there is no such opportunity for macOS users, so they have to do with the lack of this customization. Even though macOS provides options where users can personalize their gadgets, for instance, wallpaper changes or screen savers, it sorely lacks a dynamic lock screen similar to what iOS and iPadOS users have. Therefore, macOS has relatively restrictive vibes in the sense of directions to go for personalization, unlike its cousin, the mobile device.
The lock screen customization in macOS is an interesting point since many users who switched from Apple mobile devices find no possibility to set images on the lock screen on macOS. They get used to being able to place widgets, select certain clock styles, and, generally, have a more individualistic view at once. It should, however, be noted that the lock screen on macOS is still relatively bland, being but a simple slider, and offers limited options to the user, as such comes with much less of a possibility of customization and variety as compared to that of Windows.
Seeing that Apple has made macOS and iOS even more integral over the past few years, it’s shocking that this application remains absent from the desktop. The idea of having an ecosystem across devices, which Apple has been working towards, would be further enhanced if Lock Screen customization were available in macOS so that the same sort of customization that is possible on mobile devices could be achieved on desktop or laptop computers as well.
Of course, with Apple continually updating its macOS, it is quite possible that one of these updates will incorporate this feature that is highly sought after by Apple users. For now, the only way macOS users can get personalized is either by using third-party applications or patiently waiting for Apple to release some new product for personalization.
macOS Sonoma: Still Lacking Full Lock Screen Customization
macOS Sonoma brought minimal changes to the lock screen with a slight revamp to make a new look to the lock screen. Along with these changes, the update came with minor enhancements such as new wallpapers and a clean look. However, it could be noted that these changes were welcomed and are still not enough and lag far behind what can be seen on iPhones or iPads. The users of macOS cannot place widgets on the screen or even change font sizes on the lock screen, which may make it rather less unique than the mobile counterparts.
However, even after the given redesign, the macOS lock screen misses out on most of the factors that allow for the iPhone and even iPad lock screens to be incredibly multifunctional. Social users then also have many options on their mobile devices, including picking their font, getting widgets for updates, and personalizing the lock screen. On the other hand, current Mac OS offers Mac users only a static lock screen, which can hardly be customized—one would think that Apple should do something more to improve the users’ experience.
Apple lovers who have seen the deep and useful customization available in iOS and iPadOS for Apple devices may find this lack of opportunity on macOS somewhat uncomfortable. Blending between Apple’s devices has become smoother and smoother through time; however, the lock screen shows where macOS is still behind. A clear inadequacy compared to other systems, especially for those who would prefer a more integrated look & feel across their Apple equipment, is the relative lack of flexibility in lock screen design on macOS.
Mac users are still waiting for the true lock screen customization to make macOS identical with iOS and iPadOS. IAC has noted Apple’s improvements of the platform integration, and the incorporation of these features would be logical as the firm polishes its software. Offering users even more customization opportunities on macOS can only be beneficial for the Apple ecosystem and help to bring all the devices more closely aligned.
Closing these gaps in the macOS lock screen experience would not only fulfill what the users expect but also create a harmony in Apple’s system. If Apple keeps on progressing in the coming years, the lock screen customization for macOS might be integrated too, considering the fact that Apple devices like iPhones and iPads have customizable lock screens of very high level.
