Twitter updates its iOS app to bring back the reverse-chronological feed

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By Sharmishta Sarkar
published

Chronological feed on Android and web coming soon

Two months after testing began on Twitter to once again let users view newest tweets first, the feature is finally being rolled out more widely, beginning with the iOS version of the microblogging app.

Twitter’s solution to addressing the problem is to add a sparkle button above the timeline that will allow users to toggle between seeing a chronologically-ordered view and the 'smart' one generated by the company’s algorithm.

The change is now permanent for all users, with the icon already being available in the official Twitter iOS app – although Android and web users will need to wait until the new year to see tweets in order.

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The algorithmic timeline, which became the default option four years ago, will continue to appear in the Home view and users will need to tap on the 'sparkle' icon to switch to the reverse-chronological feed.

The company will monitor your behaviour and, if you repeatedly switch to the seeing the latest tweets first, will make that your default.

The move, Twitter explains, is in recognition of all the feedback it received from users after the algorithmic view became the only option. The company also admits that the site is mostly used in real time, especially during live events like sports.

Sharmishta Sarkar
Sharmishta Sarkar
Managing Editor (APAC)

Sharmishta is TechRadar's APAC Managing Editor and loves all things photography, something she discovered while chasing monkeys in the wilds of India (she studied to be a primatologist but has since left monkey business behind). While she's happiest with a camera in her hand, she's also an avid reader and has become a passionate proponent of ereaders, having appeared on Singaporean radio to talk about the convenience of these underrated devices. When she's not testing camera kits or the latest in e-paper tablets, she's discovering the joys and foibles of smart home gizmos. She's also the Australian Managing Editor of Digital Camera World and, if that wasn't enough, she contributes to T3 and Tom's Guide, while also working on two of Future's photography print magazines Down Under.