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LINE Update Causes User Outrage Over Malfunctioning Paid Themes

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • LINE's latest iOS update has caused issues with paid themes, reverting them to default settings for many users.
  • The problem stems from iOS 26's new design specifications, which differentiate between full and partial support for LINE themes.
  • Users cannot revert to older versions, but theme developers can fix the issue by re-uploading updated icons to match the new standards.

Many iPhone users are frustrated after updating LINE to version 26.12.0, which was designed to align with iOS 26's "Liquid Glass" aesthetic. While some appreciate the updated interface, a significant number are complaining that their paid LINE themes are no longer displaying correctly. Parts of the interface have reverted to default system styles, leading to user anger online.

Many users who spent money to buy LINE "themes" found that after the update, they could not be displayed completely, and some interfaces directly reverted to the system's default style, making many users unable to help but curse online.

— Article textDescribing user reactions to the LINE update.

The issue is linked to iOS 26's adjusted design specifications. Starting in August, LINE themes are categorized as either "fully supporting iOS 26" or "partially supporting iOS 26." Themes in the latter category will display some icons using the system's default design, failing to present the original theme's full visual style.

If the theme used belongs to the latter, some icons will be changed to the system's default design and cannot fully present the original theme's visual style.

— Article textExplaining the technical reason behind the theme display issue.

Adding to user frustration, LINE does not allow downgrading to previous versions, leaving users with no choice but to accept the altered themes. However, these themes are not entirely unfixable. If theme developers re-upload icons that meet the new specifications, the themes will eventually display correctly. LINE had previously announced this change in a June announcement, detailing how themes would be supported following the iOS 26 release.

LINE announced in a statement as early as June the way themes would be supported after the release of iOS 26.

— Article textHighlighting that LINE had previously informed users about the upcoming changes.

With the release of LINE 26.12.0, LINE issued another statement clarifying that devices running iOS 26 or iPadOS 26 and above, updated to version 26.12 or higher, will see some app screen design adjustments. For instance, depending on device and system settings, the LINE community icon above the chat list might move to the "+" menu. LINE emphasized that this is a global adjustment and does not affect app functionality.

LINE also issued another announcement stating that for devices running iOS 26 or iPadOS 26 and above, updating LINE to version 26.12 or higher will result in some adjustments to the app's screen design.

— Article textDetailing LINE's latest announcement regarding the update.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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