Here's why Apple removed 3D Touch app-switching in iOS 11

Those updating to iOS 11 may be surprised to realize that switching between apps isn't quite as easy as it was in iOS 10.

While double tapping the home button still works to bring up the multitasking view, Apple removed the 3D Touch gesture that also allowed you to switch between apps.

It may have been one of the lesser-known 3D Touch gestures, but pressing on the left edge of the screen, brought up the multitasking view that lets you quickly flip through your recently-used apps.

But the gesture stopped working after the iOS 11 update. Though some speculated it may have been removed because it wasn't used very often, we now know the real reason, thanks to Apple's iOS chief himself, Craig Federighi.

According to an email he sent to a frustrated iOS user, which was first reported by Apple blog MacRumors, the gesture was removed because of a "technical constraint," but it will be restored in a future update.

Here's his response, as reported by MacRumors:

We regretfully had to temporarily drop support for this gesture due to a technical constraint. We will be bringing it back in an upcoming iOS 11.x update.

Thanks (and sorry for the inconvenience)!

- craig

No word on exactly what the technical issue was, or when that update will arrive, but it's definitely one we're ready for when it does.