Some smartphone users were surprised on Thursday when they noticed an unusual change on their home screens: Facebook’s familiar blue-and-white “f” icon had mysteriously turned black and blue. The unexpected alteration left many wondering if the social media giant was rolling out a bold new rebranding.
The glitch affected an unknown number of users, with reports surfacing on platforms like Reddit’s r/iOS, where users keenly debated the icon’s sudden change. Some users received the black version, while others retained the classic icon. However, not everyone noticed the change—while one person’s colleague had the new icon, others did not.
As speculation swirled, it was revealed that the change was unintentional. A Meta communications manager clarified, “This was caused by a technical issue and has been resolved. People will see the fix when they update their app.”
Despite the brief confusion, the glitch led to some fun speculation. Was Facebook, after decades of its iconic blue-and-white branding, on the verge of adopting a darker, more modern image? With Meta’s recent public shifts, from new fonts to the CEO’s refreshed public persona, the idea of a rebranding seemed possible.
The blue-and-white Facebook has long been associated with older generations, but could a sleek blue-and-black version have won over younger users? The possibility of a reimagined Facebook—one that might appeal to Gen Z or signal a new era for the company—was intriguing.
Imagining the contrast between the old and new was entertaining. The old Facebook was criticized for various reasons, but what if a new version, represented by a bold black and blue icon, signaled a fresh start? Could it indicate a more innovative approach, especially in areas like AI, where Facebook has been competing with tech giants like Google and Microsoft?
Alas, it turns out the change was nothing more than a fleeting glitch. The classic blue-and-white icon remains, and any thoughts of a dramatic rebranding will have to wait.
