Apple released iOS 27.2 beta 4 on October 13, but users are still reporting animation stutters when using Clear app icons on ProMotion displays. The latest update, build 24B5110a, appears to leave an ongoing performance issue unresolved, particularly when switching between apps or returning to the Home Screen.
Several testers in the iOS 27.2 beta 4 Reddit discussion confirmed that Clear icons continue to cause noticeable lag. One iPhone 17 Pro Max user reported smoother overall performance compared with iOS 27.0.1, although the Clear icon animations still stutter.
Clear Icons Continue to Affect ProMotion Performance
The issue primarily affects interface transitions, where users notice dropped frames despite having displays capable of refreshing at up to 120Hz.
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Reports highlight three recurring problems:
- App switching: Animations briefly stutter when opening the App Switcher or moving between applications.
- Home Screen transitions: Returning to the Home Screen can feel less responsive with Clear icons enabled.
- Unlock animations: Some users notice additional stuttering when unlocking their iPhones.
An M4 iPad Pro user also reported similar Home Screen lag, suggesting the issue extends beyond iPhones.
As MacObserver previously reported, ProMotion performance was already inconsistent in beta 3, with some testers reporting smoother animations while others noticed little improvement.
Does Changing App Icons Fix the Stuttering?
Switching to standard app icons appears to reduce the problem for several users.
| Icon appearance | Reported performance |
|---|---|
| Default | Generally smoother animations |
| Dark | Generally smoother in earlier reports |
| Clear | Noticeable stuttering for affected users |
| Tinted | Similar lag reported by some users |
To test the workaround:
- Long-press an empty area of the Home Screen.
- Tap Edit > Customize.
- Select Default instead of Clear or Tinted.
- Open and close several apps to compare animation smoothness.
These results remain based on individual observations rather than controlled frame-rate testing.
Apple Has Yet to Confirm a Fix
Apple’s iOS 27.2 beta release notes do not identify Clear icon stuttering as a resolved issue or provide an explanation for the behavior.
The latest feedback also remains mixed, with some iPhone 18 Pro users reporting no stuttering at all.
For now, switching to standard icons remains the simplest workaround for affected users. As covered in MacObserver’s earlier beta 3 report, the problem has persisted across multiple releases, leaving users waiting for a confirmed software fix.
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