### The Resizing Challenge in macOS 26: Recognizing the Design Flaw
Following the upgrade to macOS 26, numerous users have faced a vexing problem while trying to resize windows. The typical scenario entails attempting to grab a corner of a window, only to discover that the action does not succeed. This issue stems not from user mishaps, but from a design flaw by Apple concerning the window corners.
Traditionally, Mac windows had a visual cue in the lower right corner that distinctly indicated the capability to resize, offering a clear grab handle. This design feature was emphasized by John Siracusa in his review of Mac OS X Lion back in 2011. However, with the arrival of macOS 26, the enlarged corner radii have posed a new obstacle.
Developer Norbert Heger remarked that the natural inclination to click to resize a window often occurs in a region that does not yield the anticipated response. The functional area for resizing is a 19 × 19 pixel box situated near the window corner. In earlier versions of macOS, a substantial part of this area resided within the window. Nevertheless, due to the extended corner radius in macOS 26, around 75% of this area now extends outside the window, resulting in frequent unsuccessful attempts to resize.
Heger demonstrated this inconsistency with visual representations, illustrating where users generally click (green shading) in contrast to the actual functional area (red shading). This discrepancy between visual expectation and functional design is the fundamental reason for the resizing difficulties.
Additionally, John Gruber highlighted the extra visual confusion caused by this design oversight. For example, scrollbars are programmed to function within a rectangle with square corners, which further complicates the user interaction.
As conversations concerning the design of macOS 26 progress, it is evident that the resizing problem is a crucial area of concern for users. The visual and logical inconsistencies in window corners underscore the challenges that may emerge when aesthetic modifications do not coincide with functional design tenets.