Resizing windows on macOS has become a frustrating ordeal, and it’s a problem that’s only gotten worse with macOS Tahoe (macOS 26). Norbert Heger brilliantly highlights this issue in his post, “The Struggle of Resizing Windows on macOS Tahoe” (https://noheger.at/blog/2026/01/11/the-struggle-of-resizing-windows-on-macos-tahoe/), where he dissects why this once-simple task now feels like a game of pixel-hunting. But here’s where it gets controversial: Apple’s design choices, which seemed minor at first, have snowballed into a usability nightmare. Let’s break it down.
Since upgrading to macOS Tahoe, many users, including Heger, have noticed that resizing windows often fails. The culprit? A tiny, invisible resize target—just 19 × 19 pixels—located near the window corner. And this is the part most people miss: due to Tahoe’s rounded corners, a staggering 75% of this target now lies outside the window. Yes, you read that right. To resize a window, you’re essentially clicking in empty space, which feels counterintuitive after decades of muscle memory.
Here’s the kicker: Apple removed the visual resize indicator (the “grippy-strip”) in the lower-right corner back in macOS 10.7 Lion (2011). This wasn’t just a cosmetic change—it was a usability regression. In earlier versions, like macOS 10.6 Snow Leopard, this indicator clearly signaled that a window was resizable. Without it, users are left guessing whether a window can even be resized, relying on trial and error. But why did Apple make this change? The logic, at the time, was that users no longer needed a visual cue because resizing could be done from any corner or edge. Plus, with the introduction of invisible scrollbars (another controversial move), there was no longer a dedicated space for the grippy-strip.
While the 2011 changes had their rationale, they overlooked a fundamental principle of design: clarity trumps minimalism. The grippy-strip wasn’t just a convenience—it was a critical piece of contextual information. Its removal, combined with Tahoe’s oversized corner radii, has created a perfect storm of frustration. It’s as if Apple prioritized aesthetics over functionality, a stark departure from Steve Jobs’s philosophy that design should prioritize how things work over how they look.
But here’s a thought-provoking question: Is Apple’s approach to window resizing a necessary evolution, or a step backward in usability? Some might argue that users should adapt to modern interfaces, while others see it as a disregard for decades of established UX principles. What do you think? Let’s debate this in the comments.
For now, the solution is straightforward: avoid macOS Tahoe if you can. If you’ve already upgraded, consider downgrading (https://www.macworld.com/article/671318/how-to-downgrade-macos-revert-back.html). Why struggle with an interface that feels like it’s working against you? After all, good design should empower, not frustrate.
