The Most Wonderful New Hidden Feature in iOS 17 and macOS 14: Pause Animated Images by Default

For some time now, Apple has been quietly working on a feature that allows users to pause animated images by default. This feature is particularly useful for those who find animated GIFs overwhelming or distracting. In this article, we will explore where this new feature can be found and how it works.

To access the feature, simply navigate to the 'Accessibility' section of System Settings. From there, you can toggle on the option to pause animated images by default. This setting applies to both Messages and Safari, allowing users to customize their visual experience as they see fit.

The idea for this feature was born out of a bug report filed with Apple's WebKit project, the open source web browser engine underlying Safari. Unfortunately, due to the nature of HTML elements and image decoders, it is challenging to implement GIF blocking in web extensions like StopTheMadness, which I have developed. Despite these challenges, Apple has made significant strides in addressing this issue.

In my opinion, this feature should have been highlighted during the WWDC keynote. Instead, it was quietly added to the lists of new features available with iOS 17 and macOS 14. The release dates for these operating systems are September 18 for iOS 17 and September 26 for macOS 14.

The addition of this feature is a testament to Apple's commitment to user comfort and customization. With the ability to pause animated images by default, users can now take control of their visual experience and enjoy a more comfortable browsing experience. For those interested in learning more about the new features available with iOS 17 and macOS 14, I recommend checking out Apple's official release notes.

In conclusion, the feature to pause animated images by default is an exciting development that offers users greater control over their visual experience. Whether you're browsing the web or sending messages, this feature provides a welcome respite from the overwhelming world of animations.

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