Farewell to the Classic Macintosh HD Icon
Apple has recently updated its macOS 26 Tahoe developer beta, bidding farewell to the well-known Macintosh HD hard drive icon that's been around since 2000. This icon, long associated with the traditional spinning hard drive, has now been replaced by one that resembles a solid-state drive (SSD). While the design of an SSD in reality might differ, this update marks a significant shift in iconography.
The decline in visibility of the Macintosh HD icon began a few years back when macOS stopped displaying the internal disk on the desktop by default. With Apple's transition to SSDs as the primary boot media, the change in the icon seems timely, even if somewhat delayed.
The original hard drive icon debuted with Mac OS X and remained largely unchanged for over a decade, even adapting to Retina displays in 2012 and receiving a subtle redesign with the Yosemite update in 2014. Yosemite's design aimed to eliminate pseudo-realistic textures, aligning with broader design shifts across Apple's platforms.
This icon persisted into the Apple Silicon-era Big Sur redesign and could still be seen in the first macOS 26 Tahoe beta. However, the new update doesn't just stop at this icon—it includes updates for external drive icons, network shares, and removable disk images.
Beyond the desktop, other applications that previously used the old icon have embraced the new SSD-inspired design. Disk Utility and installer apps are among those adopting the new visuals, reflecting the trend across the system.
Apple's journey with SSDs began in 2008 with the original MacBook Air. Since then, SSDs have become the standard for most Macs, relegating spinning hard drives to the past when the last Intel iMacs were discontinued. Though the appearance of icons rarely mirrors the actual hardware, the classic Macintosh HD icon's end is an occasion to remember its legacy fondly.
As we bid farewell to this piece of Macintosh history, may it continue to 'spin' in our memories. Thanks for the memories, Macintosh HD icon!
