Skip to main content

iOS 15 brings back the popular dial picker from iOS 13 and earlier with a twist

Across the system, iOS 14 brought a new dial picker that was quite the departure from the tried and true version we had in the years before. As we first reported in June, with iOS 15, Apple has brought back its popular wheel dial picker but with a small twist for those who prefer numpad entry.

iOS 14 made a big shift with its dial picker. Instead of the large, wheel-style dial picker, it adopted a small hybrid approach that included both a numpad input and a somewhat hidden dial picker.

Many users have found the iOS 14 picker less convenient and intuitive to use with the ability to select the hours or minutes or both for editing with the numpad. And with the iOS 14 dial picker being so small, it’s not as fast and seamless to quickly swipe your numbers in.

New iOS 15 dial picker with a twist

Apple has decided to bring back the time-tested large dial picker from iOS 13 and earlier. You’ll find it across the system in iOS 15 on iPhone and iPad and it’s got an even cleaner design than ever.

But along with the return of the large dial, there’s something new – you can also tap it to pull up the numpad (thanks for spotting codemonkey85!).

So the new picker is a hybrid approach with the old favorite being the default/first accessible with but the numpad just a tap away:

Site default logo image

Here’s a look at the updated dial picker in Calendar (iOS 14 on the left, iOS 15 middle and right):

Site default logo image

You’ll also find the updated dial picker frequently in other Apple apps like Reminders as well as third-party apps.

Are you excited to see the old dial picker revived in an updated form? Or did you prefer the iOS 14 design? Let us know down in the comments!

More iOS 15 tutorials:

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Comments

Author

Avatar for Michael Potuck Michael Potuck

Michael is an editor for 9to5Mac. Since joining in 2016 he has written more than 3,000 articles including breaking news, reviews, and detailed comparisons and tutorials.


Manage push notifications

notification icon
We would like to show you notifications for the latest news and updates.
notification icon
You are subscribed to notifications
notification icon
We would like to show you notifications for the latest news and updates.
notification icon
You are subscribed to notifications