I’ve been using Apple products since 2007. I’ve stuck with the platform through a lot—hardware changes, locked-down software, design regressions, and tools that feel like they were made deliberately harder to use. Lately, that frustration has boiled over, especially with things like the Shortcuts app, where basic actions are buried behind hidden menus and UI behavior seems to change based on factors you can’t even see. Autocorrect is turned on in automation fields. Logic paths vanish if you tap out of order. It’s absurd.

But this isn’t just a complaint about one app. It feels like Apple has shifted from enabling users to controlling them, even when you’re trying to stay fully within the system. What used to be intuitive is now opaque. And despite that, many of us still use Apple products because they’re often better than the alternatives. We’re just tired of pretending everything is fine.

So I’m wondering: is there any interest in a Lemmy community for Apple users who want to talk openly about what’s broken, what could be improved, and how to make things work better? I don’t care whether you’ve been using Macs since the Classic or just got your first iPhone. If you’re frustrated, curious, skeptical, or hopeful, you’re welcome. The goal is a space for real discussion, including ideas, suggestions, and brainstorming. Not for constant complaining, (although it is getting more and more difficult), but something more thoughtful, even if occasionally a little cathartic. Also welcome are any positive discoveries or revelations that the group would appreciate.

If that sounds like something you’d want to be part of, let me know. I’ll start the community if there’s interest. (Also, should I cross-post this somewhere?)

EDIT: Join us at !saltycaramelapple@sh.itjust.works.com https://sh.itjust.works/c/saltycaramelapple

You are very welcome here

  • redsunrise@programming.devEnglish
    3·
    10 days ago

    I hear that. I was an Apple user for years and years but the only reason I stuck their phones for so long was the fact that I jailbroke them to maintain control over my own devices. Jailbreaking has been getting clunkier, less useful, and way less stable so I was frustrated enough to look for an alternative.

    I know you’re not looking for alternatives (and I apologize for the unsolicited recommendation), but if you ever do, keep GrapheneOS on your radar. As far as I know, it’s one of the only non-Apple routes to a free (control-wise) phone that isn’t dependent on integration with a giant tech corporation.

  • Cherry@piefed.socialEnglish
    2·
    10 days ago

    I was a Mac and adobe user since the 90s. About 2 year ago my 4yr old MacBook died. Known fault. It was the last straw. All previous ones lasted me almost 10 years.

    • DominusOfMegadeus@sh.itjust.worksOP
      6·
      10 days ago

      I could, but I am vehemently opposed to Google, whose business model is largely built on harvesting and selling private data, and feeding people ads, and I don’t want to do all the work to “de-google” a product that was designed for Google software. I am in no way saying that I frown on others who want to do that. My ereader is Android in fact. But all of my other devices, not just my phone, are Apple.

    • TheWeirdestCunt@lemmy.today
      6·
      10 days ago

      And then end up with a phone with its own crappy issues. I swapped to android because I was fed up with apple and now I’ve just got different issues that are just as annoying if not more annoying than the ones I had with my 8 year old SE

      • Lyra_Lycan@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
        11·
        5 days ago

        You happened to choose a top quality iPhone model, as the SE variants, especially the first one, were small enough for the battery to be stellar and cheap enough to be respectable value. I’d say the suitable Android alternative would be a HTC One series. I have less of a clue about today’s smartphones. Possibly a OnePlus Nord or Google Pixel (note that Pixel uses inferior components and are worse value compared to other phones of the price bracket, but on its own is reliable enough)

        Marketing aside, may I try and help with the issues you have?