iOS 14 was launched on September 16 and it arrived with a plethora of exciting new features like widget support on the homescreen, an organized list for your apps in the form of an app library, compact call notifications, and a picture in picture mode.

Yes, these features have been available on Android for quite some time now, but there is absolutely no harm in picking up cues from an opponent to better compete with them, so why do Android users make such a big deal about it?

widgets-ios-14
iOS 14 widgets not only provide greater utility, but are an eye candy as well

Not all is rosy with the latest version of iOS though, and the removal of the shooting star animation is a great example. Many users are bummed about it and have been lamenting about the same on Twitter and Apple forums for quite some time now.

ios 14 shooting star effect
Source

After installing the iOS 14.0 update, the shooting star effect disappeared in iMessage. Who has the same problem?
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@Apple hi. You know that screen effect on iMessage where there’s a little shooting star? My baby cousin (she’s 5) uses her tablet to text me and she’s crying because it’s not there anymore. I told her I would ask you to put it back please? Thanks.
Source

Certainly not the coolest of moves from Apple this year. RIP indeed, O sweet shooting star effect, you shall be fondly missed.

It is worth mentioning here though that the effect wasn’t removed today, yesterday, or anytime recently. Rather, its removal goes all the way back to the very first iOS 14 beta builds which commenced on July 9.

It seems that users just haven’t noticed its removal until now. Or a more logical explanation could be that they have continued to miss the wholesome feature even months after its removal, which is quite understandable.

ios shooting star effect

After all, what could be a better way to wish the homies or any loved one a good night than sending them a mesmerizing shooting star effect?

We sure hope that its removal means that Apple is going to add something even better in its place. For now, affected users will have to do with the laser light show? Or perhaps the confetti effect?

Clearly not the best alternatives, which makes us miss the shooting stars even more. For now, your best bet would be ranting about the issue through the iPhone feedback facility that can be accessed from here.

With that being said, be sure to check out our dedicated iOS 14 bugs/issues tracker for further coverage on matters like these.

PiunikaWeb started as purely an investigative tech journalism website with main focus on ‘breaking’ or ‘exclusive’ news. In no time, our stories got picked up by the likes of Forbes, Foxnews, Gizmodo, TechCrunch, Engadget, The Verge, Macrumors, and many others. Want to know more about us? Head here.

Zohaib Ahmed
824 Posts

Simply love being surrounded by technology as it's a constant reminder of how far humans have advanced as a race. Every new development feels exciting, which I convey to others through writing. And after a day's work, gaming just feels therapeutic.

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