A young tech enthusiast just bought iOS 4 to life and Twitter loves him for it

While Apple lovers are all excited about iOS 15, an 18-year-old tech enthusiast has recreated iOS 4 as an app.

The OldOS app brings back the Home button and the “slide to unlock” bar.  (Twitter/SnazzyQ)

Apple recently announced the iOS 15 at WWDC 2021 and is currently rolling out beta versions of the operating system to developers. And at a time like this, a young tech enthusiast has decided to take us back in time to the iOS 4. Ten years after the iOS 4 made its debut on the iPhone 3G, 18-year-old Zane, who according to his Twitter bio “loves to invent” shared on June 9 that people could use the OldOS app to bring iOS 4. This iOS 4 has been “beautifully rebuilt in SwiftUI”, which is Apple's developer program.

Today is Launch Day 🚀

Introducing OldOS — iOS 4 beautifully rebuilt in SwiftUI.

* 🎨 Designed to be as close to pixel-perfect as possible.
*📱 Fully functional, perhaps even usable as a second OS.
* 🗺️ Fully open source for all to learn, modify, and build on. pic.twitter.com/K0JOE2fEKM

— Zane (@zzanehip) June 9, 2021

Want to learn, modify, and create? Well the entire project is open source. You can download the Xcode project here: https://t.co/A0wBO7u4PA.

— Zane (@zzanehip) June 9, 2021

Zane explained in his tweets that the app has been designed “to be as close to pixel-perfect as possible” and added that it was fully functional and usable as a second operating system. He added that the app was also fully open source for all to learn, modify and build on. The OldOS app brings back the old and iconic home button on the iPhone which Apple has now removed on the newer devices. The app brings this home button back on the screen and uses touch vibration to give the feel of a real physical button.

Zane's tweet got Twitter all excited and nostalgic with people marveling at how cool the app is. One Twitter user also asked Zane what made him create an app like this. To this Zane said that it was the love of nostalgia. “I have such a special place in my heart for this operating system and wanted to bring it back while showcasing the power of SwiftUI,” he said. Other users asked Zane to add more beta invitations.

Really, just a love of nostalgia. I have such a special place in my heart for this operating system and wanted to bring it back while showcasing the power of SwiftUI...

— Zane (@zzanehip) June 9, 2021

The best part of all this is the return on the “slide to unlock” bar which was a classic iPhone feature. Zane's OldOs app brings that back too and it works as well as one user showed in a video he shared.

This sparks joy 🥲 pic.twitter.com/Ia2yXSKV1C

— Joseph Kim (@joseph_kiim) June 9, 2021

Like FOR REAL. pic.twitter.com/UGK2u6VBP6

— Quinn Nelson (@SnazzyQ) June 10, 2021

While we prepare for iOS 15, this is a heartwarming throwback that is bringing back some great memories. iOS 4 is not available on any iPhone right now, obviously, with Apple having added tonnes of features and upgrades to the operating system over 11 iterations. The OldOS app will let you experience iOS 4 the best way possible without actually having to regress to an older device.