MyFitnessPal v26.16.0 replaces diary with new UI, sparking rating drop in April 2026

The v26.16.0 update centers on the replacement of the traditional food diary with a redesigned 'Today' tab. MyFitnessPal announced the change on its blog in February 2026, stating the goal was a "streamlined view, meaning fewer taps and less friction." The new interface uses a card-based system, requiring users to tap into each meal to see its contents, rather than the previous single, scrollable view.

The publisher has confirmed the redesign is permanent, stating in a help article that the new 'Today' tab is "the path forward" with no option to revert to the old layout.^[2] This decision has been a central point of user frustration.

The redesign introduced several breaking changes for established users. A primary complaint is the removal of the ability to copy individual food items from one meal or day to another.^[3] An official MyFitnessPal account on Reddit confirmed this change, advising users to copy an entire meal and then manually delete unwanted items.

Additionally, users report that the clear, at-a-glance calorie adjustment for steps has been removed from its prominent position, making it difficult to track daily net calories. As one 1-star reviewer on v26.16.0 noted, "Where can I see the calorie adjustment for my steps? The latest update takes more taps to see what I have eaten for a meal."

The user response to v26.16.0 was immediate, causing the app's average ratingGlossaryStar RatingThe 1-5 star average users give your app on the App Store and Google Play — a primary ranking signal and one of the biggest conversion drivers on your product page. to fall from 3.24 to 1.54 stars. While pre-update reviews for v26.15.0 cited bugs and data loss, the feedback after the redesign focused squarely on the new UI. Long-time users described the update as a functional regression. One paid subscriber wrote in a 2-star review on v26.16.0, "The new interface creates several needless layers to slog through... I wish there was an option to go back.".

Another user highlighted the loss of a specific feature: "losing the ability to copy individual items from other meals or days is a step backwards... A feature I use often" (3-star review on v26.16.0). In response to the wave of negative feedback, MyFitnessPal created a dedicated web form for "April 2026 New App Design Feedback" to collect user sentiment.

The decision to overhaul the UI appears to be a strategic choice rather than a simple design refresh. This update seems aimed at integrating features like AI coaching and GLP-1 medication tracking more centrally into the user experience, possibly to drive engagement and conversions to its Premium subscriptionGlossarySubscriptionA recurring in-app purchase that charges the user on a fixed cadence (weekly, monthly, annual) until they cancel.. The publisher likely underestimated user attachment to established, efficient workflows for the app's core function: calorie tracking.

The backlash stems from a disconnect between the company's vision for a more integrated wellness platform and the user base's reliance on the app as a direct utility for food logging. The focus on aesthetics and new features came at the cost of core usability for its dedicated audience.

MyFitnessPal commands a substantial audience, with over 923,000 downloads on US iOS in the last 30 days alone. The publisher is unlikely to revert the core UI, having publicly committed to the new design. However, the intensity of the backlash from paid subscribers and long-term users suggests a tangible financial risk from subscription cancellations and damage to user acquisition.

It is probable that MyFitnessPal will attempt to mitigate the negative impact by reintroducing lost functionality, such as the ability to copy individual items, in future updates. These features would likely be integrated within the new design framework rather than signal a return to the old layout. The app's ratings will likely remain depressed until functional parity is restored.